Viking apron Tinna in brown cotton

The most characteristic features of these overdresses were the straps and the simple tubular shape. Such dresses could be fitted with slits, so-called gores (added wedge-shaped pieces of fabric) or pleats, and some variants also featured an overlapping front. They usually ended at mid-calf.

The Viking Age smock dress, also known as a smokkr or hangerok (sometimes spelled hangeroc or hangerock) served two different purposes. While the simple variant was a kind of bib apron or apron designed to protect outer clothing, the more elaborate variant, adorned with braid, embroidery, chains and oval (turtle) brooches, was worn as a status symbol. Historical evidence of this type of clothing is confirmed by finds and representations from the archaeological sites of Hedeby and Birka.