Pirate Costume

Pirate

Era	1700s
Origin	Golden Age of Piracy, late 1600s to early 1700s
Theme	Historical
Key pieces	Tricorn hat Billowy shirt Sash Tall boots Cutlass
Difficulty	Easy
Typical price	$30 to $80
Best for	Kids, Adults, Couples, Groups
Occasions	Halloween, Renaissance Faire, Theme Party

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Pirates owe a lot of their look to the so-called Golden Age of Piracy, roughly the late 1600s to the early 1700s, and even more to a century of movies. It’s one of the most popular adult costumes and one of the most forgiving. Messy is the point.

What Makes It Work

Start with the hat. A black tricorn, the three-cornered hat, is the most recognizable pirate piece there is. A bandana tied over the head works too, and you can layer one under the hat for extra swagger.

Then the clothes. A loose white or cream shirt with billowy sleeves, a vest or a long coat, and dark pants tucked into tall boots. A wide sash or belt at the waist ties it together.

Accessories do the rest. A plastic cutlass, an eye patch, gold hoop earrings, a few chunky rings and a compass or spyglass. Smudge a little dark eyeshadow around the eyes for that weather-beaten look.

What People Get Wrong

Everything looks brand new. Real pirates spent months at sea. Wrinkle the shirt, fray a hem, and skip anything shiny polyester if you can. The other giveaway is skipping the boots. Sneakers kill the look, so wear tall boots or at least boot covers.

Buy It or Build It?

Kits run about $30 to $80 for a shirt, vest and hat. This is a great thrift store costume. A men’s linen shirt, any vest, a sash from fabric scraps and a store-bought tricorn hat gets you most of the way for less.

Where to Buy

Retailer	What they carry
Amazon	Costume kits, wigs and accessories	Shop on Amazon

FAQ

What did real pirates actually wear?

Mostly ordinary sailors’ clothing of the time: loose shirts, short jackets, wide-legged breeches and practical caps. The big coats and tricorn hats were more for captains and are what the movies made famous.

How do I make a pirate costume look aged?

Wash the shirt with a tea bag to stain it, rough up the edges with sandpaper and leave it unironed. Rub a little dark eyeshadow on the knees and cuffs.