A belt is the most important accessory in medieval clothing. It shapes the outfit, holds your pouch and keys, and, worn the right way, makes even simple garb look convincing. Here's where it should sit, how to tie the common styles, and how to hang things from it.
In short
- Over a tunic, wear the belt low on the hips. Over a dress, at the waist.
- Medieval belts were long, with the end left hanging at the front.
- Ring and knot belts are sized as you tie them.
- Spread the weight: heavy things on the hips, not at the front.
Where should the belt sit?
- Over a tunic: low on the hips, with a little fabric pulled over it so the tunic blouses.
- Over a dress or bodice: at the natural waist or just below it.
- Over a coat or armour: at the waist, where it holds the layers together.
How to tie a buckle belt the medieval way
In the later Middle Ages, belts were long and the free end hung down at the front, often finished with a metal strap end. To get the look:
- Buckle the belt as usual, leaving the long end free.
- Pass the free end up behind the belt, from underneath.
- Fold it down over the front of the belt, so it hangs straight down.
- Adjust so the tail hangs between 20 and 40 cm.
How to wear a ring belt or knot belt
- Single ring: the Thin Leather O-Ring Belt ties through a metal ring. Pass the end through the ring, pull to size, then tuck or knot the end.
- Ring and knot: the Leather Knot Belt with Ring passes through its ring and ties in a knot, so you set the size as you tie.
- Multi-cord: the Multi-Cord Ring Belt gathers thin cords through a large ring, with tasselled ends left to hang. At 158 cm long, it can wrap twice on a slim waist.
- Tie belt: the Slim Leather Tie Belt wraps the waist and ties in a simple knot at the front or side.
What to hang on your belt
- A pouch: for your phone, cards and keys. See the belt pouch guide.
- Keys: the Embossed Belt Key Ring, worn the way a chatelaine wore her household keys.
- A horn: the Drinking Horn with Laced Holder for a Viking look.
- Potions: a Round Potion Bottle with Belt Holder for witches and alchemists.
- A sword: belt kits with a sword frog, such as the Knight Belt with Sword Frog. Follow your event's prop rules.
Shop belts
See all belts and pouches.
Choosing the right length
Measure around the place the belt will sit, over your clothes, then add 20 to 40 cm for a hanging tail. Check the length on each product page: our thin leather belts are around 103 to 106 cm in one length, while the multi-cord belt is 158 cm and the waist bag belt 145 cm.
Questions people ask
How should a medieval belt hang?
Low on the hips over a tunic, with the long end tucked over the belt and hanging down at the front.
Wide belt or thin belt?
Wide belts suit warriors, Vikings and knights. Thin belts suit dresses, peasant looks and elves.
