The pirate’s been a beloved character in many forms of media for a long time. Their appearance in literature dates back all the way to the 1700s and the 1800s. Pirate movies have been a reoccurring genre since the 1920s and their popularity surged again with the introduction of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and even more recently with the tv show Our Flag means Death.
In most popular media, the looks of the pirates are based on what is called the Golden Age of Piracy, which was the period between the 1670s and 1730s. So their costumes are mostly late 17th and early 18th century inspired. However, piracy was already a thing way before that time period and still exists today, so there are many more options in terms of pirate costumes.
In this blog we’ll use the more common depiction of pirates as our inspiration, but we’ll show you how you can achieve that idea with all kinds of different items.
Shirt
One of the staple items in a pirate outfit is the shirt. It’s a good base to start with and gives the opportunity to play around with layers or a more toned down outfit. There’s also a lot of variety in the type of shirt you can use. Some prefer a more basic shirt, while others like to have some extra details such as laces or ruffles. The shirt generally is a white or cream colour, because that’s easier to combine with different other items, but other colours are definitely an option.
We’ve used two different shirts or blouses in this shoot
Renaissance blouse Elizabeth, white: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/renaissance-blouse-elisabeth-white.html
and
Blouse Ely: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/blouse-ely-natural.html
Shirt alternatives
Blouse Lysia, natural: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/blouse-lysia-natural.html
Are you using this outfit as basis for a male character? You could choose one of the following, for example:
Pirate shirt Jack, natural: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/pirate-shirt-jack-natural.html
Pirate shirt Bastian, cream: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/pirate-shirt-bastian-cream.html
Trousers
Most of the time, pirates are shown wearing more straight trousers, not too tight, but also not too loose. They need to be comfortable to move around in. Ofcourse, you can always play around with the type of trousers you wear. Extremely wide legged trousers, like harem pants, can also look great in a pirate look.
Trousers Rubus, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/trousers-rubus-black.html
Straight legged trousers
Trousers Francesco, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/trousers-francesco-black.html
Cotton trousers Alin, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/cotton-trousers-alin-black.html
Wide legged trousers:
Ataman trousers, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/ataman-trousers-black.html
Trousers Roger, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/trousers-roger-black.html
Waist band
Another very well known item used in pirate outfits, is a scarf or strip of fabric tied around the waist. This is often combined with one or more leather belts. By tying some sort of scarf or fabric belt around, you can really easily add a small colour accent to your outfit.
Waist band Colet, red: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/waist-band-colet-red.html
The waist band Colet is available in multiple colours
Green: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/waist-band-colet-green.html
Black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/waist-band-colet-black.html
Cream: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/waist-band-colet-cream.html
Belt
One accessory of which the importance should not be underestimated, is the belt. As a pirate, you need a place to keep all your important equipment…your compass, telescope, money pouch, pistol, you name it. A good belt is the perfect place to hang your stuff on and to stick your pistol underneath. A decorative buckle is an added bonus, to show off your success in plundering.
Pirate belt Nassau, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/pirate-belt-nassau-brown.html
Other belt option
Ring belt 160cm, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/ring-belt-160-cm-brown.html
Brown leather belt 2cm: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/brown-leather-belt-2-cm-68681609.html
Pouch
Pouches are often seen as a good way to keep your money on you, but they can also hold other important items. For example, gunpowder, dice and other small artifacts. If you’re planning on dressing up as a pirate for a festival, a pouch is a great way to keep your valuables safe, in style.
Large leather pouch Oslo: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/large-leather-pouch-oslo.html
Some more pouches
Leather pouch Michelangelo, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/leather-pouch-michelangelo-brown.html
Soft leather pouch, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/soft-leather-pouch.html
Sword
Piracy is a dangerous occupation, although some might say the danger comes from the side of the pirates. Either way, a weapon is a must-have to any pirate. Stealing, pillaging and threatening is difficult without any weapons to back up your words. Pirates also regularly have brushes with the authorities or other pirates, in which case a weapon is needed for self defense. Weapons come in different options, but the most common weapons for pirates are pistols and swords. Pirates often have to fight in relatively close quarters, so not all types of swords are practical. Sabres and cutlasses are generally the preferred swords for pirates.
Pirate sabre Blackbeard: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/pirate-sabre-blackbeard.html
More swords
French birquet cutlass: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/french-briquet-cutlass.html
Sabre pirate sword Calico Jack: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/sabre-pirate-sword-calico-jack.html
Equipment
When out on the open waters, a pirate cannot survive without having certain items close at hand. Navigating the ocean is quite difficult. At night, the stars are a great help, but during the day a pirate needs a compass to find their way.
Another handy piece of equipment is the telescope. Land is often too far away to see with the naked eye. It’s also vital to be able to recognise a ship in the distance as quickly as possible. By the time you can tell if a ship is friend or foe without a telescope, it’s too late to escape potential conflict.
These types of small accessories are nice finishing touches to your pirate outfit.
Compass with leather pouch: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/compass-with-leather-pouch.html
Telescope with leather pouch: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/telescope-with-leather-pouch.html
Other must haves
Pirate dairy brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/pirate-diary-brown.html
Rope
On a pirate ship, rope is being used everywhere. Therefore, it’s never a bad idea to have some on you at any given moment. It’s a great prop to use for photoshoots or just as a fun addition when dressed as a pirate at a party or festival.
Polyhemp rope 8 meters: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/hemp-rope-8-metres.html
Hat
Perhaps the most iconic accessory in a pirate outfit is the hat. Hats are a great way to keep the sun out of your eyes and to protect your head from too much direct sunlight. The most famous type of pirate hat is the tricorn, but there’s no need to stick to one specific model.
Hat Bohanan, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/hat-bohanan-brown.html
Other options
Tricorn Blackbeard, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/tricorn-blackbeard-brown.html
Pirate hat Jack Rackham, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/pirate-hat-jack-rackham-brown.html
Musketeer hat Toledo, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/musketeer-hat-toledo-brown.html
Coat
Some people may think that pirates garnered great wealth stealing from others, but most of the time, pirates weren’t that well off. Any luxury items they owned weren’t purchased, but stolen. The coats that are often used in pirate costumes are a good example of that. What we commonly call “pirate coats” are Justaucorps. This type of coat was worn in the late 17th century and throughout the 18th century. The Justaucorp started as a fashionable item for nobility and a variation on this design was used in the military and navy. It is widely believed that pirates stole these coats for personal use and that’s how the “pirate coat” came to be.
Pirate coat Teach: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/pirate-coat-teach-brown.html
Coat alternatives
17th century Buccaneer coat: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/17th-century-buccaneer-coat-black.html
Pirate coat velvet, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/renaissance-coat-black.html
Pirate-y props
The fun thing about pirate costumes is simply that you can really go wild with accessories and props. Some are already mentioned in this blog, but there are many many more fun props to use. Items like tankards and drink barrels can be great to use during photoshoots or to bring with you to a festival to add something extra to your costume. After all, your rum and ale cannot be forgotten!
Medieval barrel 1 litre: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/medieval-barrel-1-litre.html
Wooden tankard with lid: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/wooden-tankard-with-lid.html
Wooden tankard: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/wooden-tankard.html