The
Golden Age of Pirates! The pirates who operated during the Age of Exploration
have become synonymous with a definite style of Pirate Clothing.
But what pirate clothing was fact and what pirate clothing was fiction? The
legendary apparel of a pirate has created a pirate stereotype. But much of the
pirate clothing was developed through necessity and befitted the lifestyle of a
pirate seaman.
Pirate
Clothing - the 'Slops'
Many pirates were recruited from unemployed seaman - there was plenty of work for a fighting sailor during times of was but during peacetime the seaman became impoverished and turned to a life of piracy. In 1628 the British Admiralty established sailor's clothing (which were called 'slops') to be worn by men who had been press-ganged. This type of clothing consisted of a canvas doublet and breeches, knitted caps called Monmouth caps, cotton waistcoats and drawers, stockings, linen shirts and shoes. So much of this clothing was adopted by the seamen who turned to the life of a pirate.
Many pirates were recruited from unemployed seaman - there was plenty of work for a fighting sailor during times of was but during peacetime the seaman became impoverished and turned to a life of piracy. In 1628 the British Admiralty established sailor's clothing (which were called 'slops') to be worn by men who had been press-ganged. This type of clothing consisted of a canvas doublet and breeches, knitted caps called Monmouth caps, cotton waistcoats and drawers, stockings, linen shirts and shoes. So much of this clothing was adopted by the seamen who turned to the life of a pirate.
Pirate
Clothing - the Monmouth Cap and the Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws
The woollen cap referred to as the Monmouth Cap dates back to the 1500's. In 1571 the Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws were passed which ordered everyone over the age of six to wear a woollen cap on Sundays and holidays in order to helpEngland
The woollen cap referred to as the Monmouth Cap dates back to the 1500's. In 1571 the Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws were passed which ordered everyone over the age of six to wear a woollen cap on Sundays and holidays in order to help
Pirate
Clothing - Flouting the Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws!
Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws dictated what color of clothing and the materials and fabrics which could be used for each social level. The Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws therefore enforced what clothing individuals were allowed to own and wear, an easy and immediate way to identify rank and privilege. Pirate clothing, especially that of the successful and wealthy pirates took great delight in flouting the Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws! Anything went - fine velvets and silks and such fabrics which had been previously banned to anyone other than those in the Upper Classes.
Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws dictated what color of clothing and the materials and fabrics which could be used for each social level. The Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws therefore enforced what clothing individuals were allowed to own and wear, an easy and immediate way to identify rank and privilege. Pirate clothing, especially that of the successful and wealthy pirates took great delight in flouting the Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws! Anything went - fine velvets and silks and such fabrics which had been previously banned to anyone other than those in the Upper Classes.
Pirate
Clothing - The Motley Crew
The fabrics used in pirate clothing depended on how wealthy they were and what clothing had been stolen! Pirate clothing for the ordinary seamen was therefore often ill-fitting! Motley was a multi-colored woollen fabric woven of mixed threads in 14th to 17th centuryEngland
The fabrics used in pirate clothing depended on how wealthy they were and what clothing had been stolen! Pirate clothing for the ordinary seamen was therefore often ill-fitting! Motley was a multi-colored woollen fabric woven of mixed threads in 14th to 17th century
Pirate
Clothing - the Fabrics and Materials
The fabrics used in pirate clothing depended on how wealthy they were and what clothing had been stolen! But basically there were no rules! The practical fabrics used for ordinary pirate clothing included canvass, leather, wool, linen, cotton and sheepskin. The fabrics and materials used in pirate clothing when on shore, or by the Pirate Captain, were far more flamboyant and expensive. Velvet, silk, damask, sarcanet, camlet and taffeta were included in the fabrics and materials used for this type of pirate clothing - exotic feathers were also favored!
The fabrics used in pirate clothing depended on how wealthy they were and what clothing had been stolen! But basically there were no rules! The practical fabrics used for ordinary pirate clothing included canvass, leather, wool, linen, cotton and sheepskin. The fabrics and materials used in pirate clothing when on shore, or by the Pirate Captain, were far more flamboyant and expensive. Velvet, silk, damask, sarcanet, camlet and taffeta were included in the fabrics and materials used for this type of pirate clothing - exotic feathers were also favored!
Pirate
Clothing - Colors
The colors of pirate clothing included the colors which had previously banned by the Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws. Crimson, violet, purple and deep blue were typical of the colors which had previously banned for anyone other than the Upper Classes!
The colors of pirate clothing included the colors which had previously banned by the Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws. Crimson, violet, purple and deep blue were typical of the colors which had previously banned for anyone other than the Upper Classes!
Pirate
Clothing - The clothes worn by a Pirate Captain
The typical clothes worn by a Pirate Captain are illustrated in a description of the clothing worn by Black Bart (Bartholomew Roberts). He was described as flamboyant dresser. His waistcoat and breeches were made of velvet in a rich crimson color. His hat was decorated with an exotic red feather. An expensive satin and leather sash diagonally decorated the front of his coat and a sash was tied around his waist. The clothes of this pirate captain were adorned with gold jewellery and ornaments.
The typical clothes worn by a Pirate Captain are illustrated in a description of the clothing worn by Black Bart (Bartholomew Roberts). He was described as flamboyant dresser. His waistcoat and breeches were made of velvet in a rich crimson color. His hat was decorated with an exotic red feather. An expensive satin and leather sash diagonally decorated the front of his coat and a sash was tied around his waist. The clothes of this pirate captain were adorned with gold jewellery and ornaments.
List of
Pirate Clothing
The
following list details the items of pirate clothing and some interesting facts
and information about various items of Pirate Clothing:
Motley
clothing - bright mis-matched colors
Bandana
- A pirate clothing item which kept the sweat out of the pirate's eyes
Tri-cornered
hat - made of various materials including leather
Doublet
or coat - Expensive item of pirate clothing. Long clothes, including the
doublet were a style of pirate clothing best suited to land. Decorated with
ornate braids and fabrics
Breeches
- trousers were generally only worn by English pirates
Knitted
caps called Monmouth caps
Waistcoats
- flamboyant addition to pirate clothing
Drawers
- tight fitting to allow for the difficult tasks of a pirate
Stockings
- Woollen stockings for practical apparel and silk for land use
Shirts
- The puffed sleeves were suited to pirate clothing on land
Pirate
Clothing - the Accessories
The famous accessories of pirate clothing!
The famous accessories of pirate clothing!
Gold
Hoop Earrings - A sign of wealth but also believed to serve a practical
purpose in easing sea sickness by applying pressure to ear lobes!
Bracelets,
chains, pins and pendants - Gold, silver, precious jewels and pearls
Sash -
Alsio called a baldric made of fine fabrics, sometimes overlayed with a leather
sash to take the weight of pirate weapons
Braids
and ribbons - adorned various elements of pirate clothing but were also used to
braid a pirate beard or hair. Blackbeard was famous for tying black braids to
his beard and hair and famous for sticking lighted matches under his hat on
either side of his face to terrify his enemies
Pirate
Boots - Ranged from bootcovers, to Bucket boots up to thigh-high boots, Pirate
seamen often went barefoot - a practical decision when a task might include
'swabbing the deck'
Pirate
belts - these wide belts were worn around the waist and diagonally across the
shoulder in order to take the weight of pirate weapons
Buckles
- Ornate buckles were used to adorn pirate belts and shoes
Fancy
buttons - a decorative addition to pirate clothing
Scarves
- a flamboyant addition to pirate clothing
Wigs -
stolen or purpose made - favored by Pirate captains
Pirate
Clothing - the Weapons
The famous weapons which accompanied pirate clothing!
The famous weapons which accompanied pirate clothing!
The
pirate cutlass - A heavy curved sword with only one, but deadly, cutting edge
Daggers
- often held in the leather sahes or belts
Pistols
Pirate
Clothing - the Stereotype Pirate
All of the items of pirate clothing have been covered but other elements became synonymous with the pirate. These related to the injuries which befell men who followed the pirate's life. Fighting was an important skill but inevitably pirates were wounded. Pirates lost eyes during battle - hence the famous pirate eye patch. Limbs were often amputated as the only resort for a badly injured leg - hence the wooden peg leg. Hands which were lost were replaced with hooks.
All of the items of pirate clothing have been covered but other elements became synonymous with the pirate. These related to the injuries which befell men who followed the pirate's life. Fighting was an important skill but inevitably pirates were wounded. Pirates lost eyes during battle - hence the famous pirate eye patch. Limbs were often amputated as the only resort for a badly injured leg - hence the wooden peg leg. Hands which were lost were replaced with hooks.
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