Heave to, mates! The gang of blackguards at PirateClothingStore.com have all the information you need to learn about the pirate accessories worn by the swashbucklers of the 17th and 18th centuries, and how to wear your pirate accessories to recreate the look and complete an authentic pirate costume. If you’re wondering, what is a pirate belt called? Or

Pirates wore a variety of equipment and accessories to help keep them prepared for battle and to protect their loot. Some common items included:

Belts, Holsters, And Baldrics

Pirates often wore wide leather belts to hold their weapons, ammunition, and other equipment. This might include a thigh holster for a pistol, although many pirates would opt to tuck pistol barrels directly into their belts. A shoulder belt, also known as a bandolier or baldric, was also popular with pirates of the 17th and 18th centuries, and could also accommodate a thigh holster or scabbard.

A baldric is a type of belt or sash that is worn diagonally across the body, typically over the shoulder and down to the opposite hip. It is designed to support a sword or other weapons such as a flintlock and thigh holster, and keep them easily accessible for quick use. 

In pirate culture, baldrics were often worn by pirates to hold their cutlasses, pistols, or other weapons. Baldrics were made of leather or other durable materials and could be decorated with various embellishments such as studs, tassels, or metal accents. Pirates valued their weapons and needed them close at hand, so baldrics and thigh holsters were an essential part of their gear.

Ammunition Pouches

Pirates carried a pouch bag or bandolier containing extra ammunition for their firearms. Pirate musketeers typically carried their ammunition in a bandolier or baldric, which was a long strap or belt that went over one shoulder and across the chest to the opposite hip. The bandolier had small loops or pockets to hold individual cartridges, which contained the gunpowder and bullet for the musket.

Pouch bags and, in some cases, pirates also carried additional ammunition in a cartridge box, which was a small leather or metal case that held multiple cartridges. The cartridge box was often worn on a belt or hung from a shoulder strap.

Money Pouches and Pirate Coin

Pirates often carried their money in a variety of ways, depending on their personal preferences and the amount of money they had.

One common method was to divide the pirate coin among the crew and store it in a chest, which was then guarded closely by a group of men. A pirate treasure chest was often locked with multiple keys, which were held by different crew members to prevent any one person from stealing the treasure.

Individual pirates might carry their share of the loot in a pouch bag, which they could keep on their person at all times. Some pirates also hid their money in creative places, such as burying it on a deserted island or hiding it inside the lining of their clothing.

In some cases, pirates might spend their money quickly on items such as alcohol, women, or gambling, rather than carrying large amounts of cash or treasure with them.

A 17th-century sailor's money pouch could be made from a variety of materials, depending on the wealth and status of the person who owned it.

For common sailors or pirates, a money pouch bag might be made from simple, sturdy materials such as leather, canvas, or hemp. These materials were durable and could withstand the wear and tear of life at sea, keeping their pirate coins and valuables safe.

For more wealthy or fashionable individuals, a pouch bag might be made from more luxurious materials such as silk, velvet, or brocade. These materials were often embellished with embroidery or decorative trim to show off the owner's wealth and status.

Regardless of the material, a pirate money pouch would typically be small and portable, with a secure closure such as a drawstring or snap to keep the contents safe.

Pirates used coins as a form of currency. They would often steal coins from ships that they attacked and would use them to purchase goods and services when they reached port. Many different types of coins were used during the 17th and 18th centuries, including gold, silver, and copper coins from various countries and regions.

These pirate coins would be carried in a money pouch bag and would be used to buy supplies such as food, water, and ammunition, as well as to pay for repairs to their ships or to bribe officials. Pirates were also known to bury their treasure, which often included coins, in hidden locations to keep it safe until they could retrieve it later.

Potion Bottles

A potion bottle is a container that is used to store and transport potions, which are typically liquid substances with magical or medicinal properties. In fantasy and role-playing games, potion bottles are often depicted as small glass or ceramic bottles with cork stoppers, and they may be decorated with mystical symbols or labels indicating the type of potion inside.

In real life, antique potion bottles can be collectible items, and they may have been used in the past to hold various types of medicines, perfumes, or other liquids.

In popular culture and in some fictional depictions of pirates, potion bottles are sometimes depicted as pirate accessories, especially if the pirate is portrayed as a practitioner of magic or alchemy. However, in reality, it is unlikely that pirates would have used potion bottles to store or transport substances.

Pirates were primarily interested in plundering valuable cargo, such as gold, silver, spices, and textiles, and they typically did not have much use for magical or medicinal substances. Furthermore, in the rough and dangerous world of piracy, fragile glass or ceramic bottles would not have been practical or safe to use aboard a ship.

That being said, it is possible that pirates may have used various types of containers to store liquids, including bottles made from materials such as leather or metal, or simply jars and jugs. However, these containers would have been used for practical purposes, such as storing drinking water, rum, or other provisions, rather than for holding potions or magical substances.

Pirate Eyepatches

Why did pirates wear an eyepatch? It is a popular belief that a pirate eye patch was commonly worn by the swashbucklers of old, but the truth is more complicated. While some pirates may have worn eyepatches, it was not a common or widespread practice.

Pirate eye patches were primarily used by sailors and pirates who had lost an eye or were experiencing problems with one eye. By covering the offending eye, pirates could see better with their good one. In some cases, eyepatches hid a battle scar.

There is some evidence to suggest that some pirates wore an eyepatch during daylight hours when operating on deck, ensuring that their other eye was always adjusted to the darkness belowdecks. When the wearer went belowdecks, the pirate eye patch would be flipped up allowing quick adaption to the drastic changes in light conditions.

However, there is evidence to suggest that some pirates may have deliberately worn eyepatches as a way to intimidate their enemies. By appearing disfigured or disabled, a pirate's eye patch could make their opponents underestimate them and be caught off guard.

In popular culture, eyepatches have become an iconic symbol of piracy, and are often used in movies and other media to represent pirates. However, it is important to remember that the reality of pirate life was often harsh and brutal, and the romanticized image of pirates and pirate eyepatches may bear little resemblance to the historical reality.

Pirate Treasure Chest

Pirates used treasure chests to store their loot. Pirate treasure chests were typically made of wood and reinforced with metal bands or studs. They were often locked with a large padlock or secured with a metal latch. Pirates would use these chests to store their stolen treasure, including gold coins, silver bars, jewelry, and other valuable items.

In popular culture, pirate treasure chests are often depicted as being buried on a deserted island, but in reality, pirates would keep their treasure on their ships or in hidden locations on land until they were able to sell or trade it.

While there are many legends and stories of pirate treasure chests being buried on remote islands or hidden away in secret locations, very few actual pirate treasure chests have been discovered.

One of the most famous pirate treasure chests belonging to Captain Kidd. Kidd’s treasure was said to be buried somewhere off the coast of Long Island, New York. Despite many attempts to find it, this infamous pirate treasure chest has never been located.

Another notable discovery was made in 2015, when a team of divers found a chest of gold coins and other artifacts off the coast of Florida. The chest was believed to have been part of a sunken Spanish fleet from the 1715 Treasure Fleet, rather than being directly linked to pirates.

Over the centuries, some pirate treasure chests may have been found, but the reality is that the vast majority of pirate loot has likely been lost to the sea or destroyed over time.

Pirate Makeup

How do you do pirate makeup? If you want to apply makeup to look like a pirate, here are some general tips:

Start with a base foundation that is slightly darker than your natural skin tone to give a sun-kissed look. Pirates spent a lot of time outdoors, so they would have had a naturally tanned appearance.

Use a black eyeliner pencil to draw a thick line around your eyes and smudge it with your finger or a small brush to give a smoky effect. You can also add a small wing at the outer corner of your eyes for a more dramatic look.

Apply a dark brown or black eyeshadow to your eyelids and blend it out towards the crease of your eye.

Use a brown eyeliner pencil to draw a thin line just above your upper lash line, and extend it outwards past the outer corner of your eye to create a faux-mole or beauty spot.

Apply a matte red lipstick or lip stain to your lips, as pirates were known to wear bright red or dark-colored lipstick.

For a finishing touch, you can add some artificial stubble or a fake beard to your chin and cheeks using makeup or special effects products.

Remember, these are just general tips and there is no one "correct" way to apply pirate makeup. You can experiment with different colors and techniques to find a look that suits you and your pirate persona.

It is not clear whether pirates commonly wore makeup or not. While there are some historical accounts and artistic depictions that show pirates with painted faces or elaborate facial hair, it is difficult to say how common this was or whether it was primarily done for practical reasons (such as protecting the skin from sun and wind) or for aesthetic purposes.

There are some reports that suggest pirate makeup or face paint may have been use as a form of intimidation or disguise during battles, but again, this is not definitively known. Ultimately, the extent to which pirate makeup or other cosmetic enhancements were used is likely to have varied widely depending on individual preferences and circumstances.

The Privateer’s Purse

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