True Blood Fashion: The Viking
So far our fashion profiles have focused on the women of True Blood (Maryann, Sarah Newlin, Pam), primarily because the women have the more interesting and varied wardrobes. There is something to be said for consistency, though, and therefore it’s time to turn our eyes to the men. (I know, it’s a tough gig, but I’ll make it through some how.) The first man up for scrutiny is our resident Viking vampire, Eric Northman. Let’s see what his clothes say about him.
The Warrior
In our first flashback scene for Eric, we see him in the aftermath of a battle taking place 1,000 years ago in Scandinavia. Eric and his comrades are clearly on the losing side and Eric is badly wounded, leaving an opening for a mysterious “young” man to make him an offer of immortality. Clad in chainmail, furs, and an abundance of leather, Eric is every inch the Viking warrior. A closer look at what his fellow warriors are wearing reveals that Eric’s garments are better quality and are better accessorized, for lack of a better word. His fur cloak is fastened by an engraved bronze buckle, he wears a bronze Thor’s hammer around his neck, and his forearms are protected by studded leather guantlets, items neither of his companions are wearing. From this, we can perhaps assume that Eric was a higher ranking member of his clan, either the best warrior or perhaps the son of the chieftan. Or both. Eric’s attitude as he lays dying borders on arrogance, which also lends credence to a high standing within his community, and carries through to modern day. (Get the look: armour/chainmail, cloak buckle & pendant, fake blood)
The Sheriff & The Businessman
In contemporary Louisiana, Eric is the sheriff of Area 5 as well as the owner of Fangtasia, Shreveport’s premiere vampire night club. Old habits die hard and again he favors leather to add an edge to his otherwise understated clothing. Our first look at Eric, presiding over Fangtasia, is of him looking bored yet dangerous in all black. He is, of course, playing up the vampire mystique for the tourists, just as Pam does, but the sheer arrogance of his demeanor makes him that much more intriguing. When we see him acting as sheriff while on the search for the missing Godric, he again wears black leather although this time it’s a biker jacket paired with a tank top. It’s the quintessential “bad boy” attire, yet it doesn’t look a bit cliched on Eric. He may keep his temper under control – most of the time – but you know he’ll rip your arms off given just cause. The Fellowship of the Sun has no idea who they’re messing with here. And yes, we’re pretty sure the gleaming silver belt buckle is strategic in that sea of black. (Get the look: black leather jacket, black leather blazer, black tank top, black shirt, black leather belt)
Every Day is Casual Friday
Eric’s warrior armor and black leather modern wardrobe offer fairly obvious visual cues to his authority, but it’s his casual attire that probably says the most about his character. His laidback demeanor and casual style are evidence of an arrogance born of having lived over 1,000 years with the power to defeat most mortals. This is a case where the man makes the clothes rather than the clothes making the man. Or is it the man not really needing any clothes but succumbing to society’s rules and donning them anyway, albeit the least amount possible to avoid unwanted attention for indecent exposure. Loose jeans and the jacket from a tracksuit (and no shirt?), a green t-shirt, and a canvas jacket all look like he pulled them out of the closet, perfunctorily dropped them on his body, and promptly forgot he was wearing them. For Eric, his off-duty wardrobe is of zero concern other than the ease and comfort of the garments. He is confident in his ability to get what he wants and accomplish what he needs without the outer trappings of “fashion”. (Get the look: jeans, t-shirt, canvas jacket, tracksuit jacket, pendant)
Are you a fan of Eric’s style? Be sure to stop by on Friday for an Eric-inspired giveaway!
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I don’t care what he wears. He’s beautiful in anything (though less would be better LOL).
i prefer to see him without clothes
Me too…Whoa. When he plays Brad Colbert in Generation Kill there is a scene where he is shirtless, sweaty while brushing his teeth. It is well, not too terrible to look at—especially when he smiles.
Agree with sarah, and also the scene when he’s shirtless running in circle. I like eric but i think i like AS as “Iceman” more. (Loves the way he’s scowing and smiling..a very sexy marine team leader).
I was looking forward to the pink spandex. (anyone who’s read the books will know what im on about) but i just have afeeling thats not going to make it to the show, i really hope im wrong. But i think he’ll look good in anything.
I know!!..now that Lafayette is alive there no reason for the party @ the cabin..DAMN ALAN BALL!..lol
i agree…oh, I did have the hopes to see the spandex. I guess we have to ask AB to PLEASE include the red bikini (remember, all of you readers of book 4?) some time in the future!!!!
Oh, there is still hope for the spandex…book 4 is my favorite, tho!
omg the skimpy tiny red undies yum!!
cant wait 4 the shower scene!!!!
Alex said in interview that he will wear woman’s clothing this season–may not be spandex but I am keeping my fingers crossed and the tight red bikini briefs–Good Lord that would be great.
shower scence? when is this scence supposed to happen….and with who??? one can only hope with Sookie!
There’s a shower scene in book four that really kicks off the Sookie/Eric relationship. Bookies have been crossing their fingers that it will be included on the show.
I’ve been looking at snippets of his work in other films, mostly Swedish… OMG! He definitely has no problem getting naked… and what a lovely ‘problem’ it is… less is def more with our Mr. Northman!
Alex/Eric is one of those guys who looks hot no matter what he wears.Tall,blond,blue-eyed he looks great in anything.
Even in the Viking costume with the nasty teeth and dirty bloody hair, he has that look, Strong, capable as well as super sexy.
I was disappointed at first with him cutting his locks on TB, but watching him this season is amazing!
One reason why I love the show is that they avoid the stereotypical vampire look. It just gives it some authenticity. Eric looks fabulous. He’s the kind of guy that could wear anything and still look hot. He’s just perfect. But thank you HBO/TB wardrobe dept. for putting him in those black razorbacks all the time <333
I agree with Anna, the black razorbacks are amazing. I prefer the biker jacket than the previous.
if by razorback you mean wifebeater. i concur!
When will he be wearing the pink tank top & swirled matching spandex tights from book #2?
Alex looks good in anything but I do love his TB wardrobe…especially those black tank tops. He’s supposed to have a nude scene this season too, right? Can’t wait for that!!!
I don’t know what’s making me laugh harder, the fact that we sent Alex a link to this post and he replied with a very droll “Hehe”, or the fact that I’m not going to delete any of these comments even though the secret is now out that Alex reads them.
Mel! Really, he actually read these comments? That’s so embarrassing. Well, I hope he knows we appreciate him for more than just his good looks and sexy body!
Every now and then we send a link to Alex or Kristin or Alan or whomever if we think they’ll get a kick out of a post, like this one and Liz’s letter to Eric. Of course they don’t read every post and every comment, they’ve got a TV show to make! Still, this would be a good opportunity to remind everyone that you *are* posting in a public setting. Just something to keep in mind.
Wow… but i don’t really think that he would read the comments. Not because he wouldn’t like them. But because I listened to him say in several interviews that he doesn’t go online and read about himself because he would get very conscious. But maybe he doesn’t mind we talking about Eric’s fashion, which is just to dye for…. or get bitten by. Does that make any sense? It’s Eric’s effect on me or Alexander’s for that matter.
Given that Mel wrote this post and she co-owns this website, I think I believe her.
No!! Don’t get me wrong!!! Maybe I wasn’t clear. I’m not saying that I don’t believe Mel. Sure I do and I believe Alex did read the post, if he had the time. I just doubt he would read all of our comments just so they wouldn’t affect his work.
Gotcha. That does make sense.
Haha! That’s hilarious. I probably should be embarrassed at the first comment, but I’m not. He IS beautiful
.
I have been imagining how great it would be to have Eric at a Society for Creative Anachronism event, like Pennsic. SCAdians create personaefrom the 10th to 15th (or so) centuries and eat, dress, act and fight like their personae. How wonderful to have a real Viking among the modern day “Vikings”!
The track suit was unexpected on a 1,000 year old vampire.
He looks good no matter what. His talent always shines through, plus anyone that hot can make anything look amazing.
Alex Skarsgard can make sack cloth and ashes look good. Cue “The Warrior” look. Personally I need to see him in a wife beater with pink spandex leggings and combat boots. I’m not giving up that dream so don’t even ask. If True Blood ever decided to raise money for charity by having their cast members do special posters, Alex in that “orgy outfit” from the books would raise a pile of dough. Try it and see if I’m not right. I dare you! *grin*
if this shows twice I’m sorry the first time it glitched.
to REALLY sell they should do the pic of him as Mr January from the Fangtasia calendar – secifically the “for sookies eyes only” version of the pic
Where have you been? They have a picture of him as Mr. January and it is wonderful. My heart was racing for 2 days after seeing it.
kudos on this, couldn’t have said it better myself.
i wouldn’t complain if you guys did Isabelle or Lafayette either!
I agree – the guy can wear anything or nothing! Looks very nice in the intro to the Lady GaGa Paparazzi video as well and certainly gets my imagination going!! (hiphopblips.dailyradar.com/video/lady_gaga_paparazzi/)
The links to get the styles are a bit flawed. The track jacket is nothing like the one he wore (black w/two pale blue stripes) and the leather jacket is a J Lindeberg that I have been unable to find a source for).
Wat i find interesting is that alexander skarsgard is 33 in real life and plays a vampire that is 1000 yrs old. Stephen Moyer is 40 in real life and plays a vampire that is 170-ish. i think its really interesting.
also bill is the younger vampire yet he’s kinda prudish and his wardrobe is kinda blah. Eric is older yet he has the younger type wardrobe…i would so take fashion advice from him lol.