Pirate Clothes for Women
Yo ho ho ladies! If you’re wondering, what does a female pirate wear? Then you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to PirateClothingStore.com where you can learn all about the pirate costume women wore and the female pirates from the Golden Age of Piracy. With everything you need for a female pirate costume fit for the high seas or the harbor tavern! Recreate the genuine pirate aesthetic with an authentic women's pirate costume or girl's pirate costume.
How to Dress Like A Pirate Woman
A female pirate of the 17th century would have likely dressed similarly to male pirates of the time, with some variations based on personal preference and practicality.
Like male pirates, female pirate costumes would have included loose-fitting clothing that allowed for ease of movement, such as a linen or cotton shirt and breeches. They may have also worn a vest or coat, particularly in colder weather or for protection during battle. Some female pirates may have preferred to wear a pirate dress or skirt, although this would have been less common as it would not have been as practical for life at sea.
In terms of accessories, female pirates may have worn jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, although this would have varied based on personal preference and availability. They may have also carried a cutlass or pistol for self-defense, although again, this would have depended on individual circumstances.
Overall, the typical female pirate costumes of the time and accessories worn by female pirates would have been similar to those worn by male pirates, with some variations based on individual preference and practicality.
So, you might well ask, how should I dress for a pirate party? Womens pirate costumes could be similar to their male counterparts or could be a pirate dress, for a more female pirate costume. The pirate costume women wore would have been determined by the situation, and they would have likely worn different outfits depending if they were aboard their ship or on land. Aboard ship, women mariners wore similar clothes to their male counterparts, but when their ships landed at ports, pirate women are more likely to have worn the fashionable styles of the time, displaying their wealth, beauty, and power. A typical female pirate costume could also be a pirate dress. When it comes to girl's pirate costumes, like the ladies, they would likely wear dresses in public, but more practical clothes onboard ship.
Womens Pirate Costume - While Aboard Ship
Women pirates of the 17th century wore practical and functional clothing aboard ship, designed to help them perform their duties and withstand the harsh conditions of life at sea. Some common clothing items worn by female pirates of the time included:
Women's Pirate Shirt: The first step in creating the ideal pirate costume women will need a blouse or shirt. Pirate women typically wore loose-fitting blouses made of linen or cotton, which were comfortable and breathable in warm weather.
Women’s Pirate Breeches: Female pirate costume included breeches, which were a style of pants worn by sailors, typically made of wool or canvas. They were designed to be durable and water-resistant, to protect the legs from the spray of the sea.
Pirate Knickers: Similar to breeches, knickers were a short style of pants worn by sailors that dropped to just below the knee. These would be tucked into high boots to keep out the elements.
Pirate Stockings: No girl's pirate costumes would be complete without stockings, preferably striped. Pirate women often wore woolen or cotton stockings to keep their feet and legs warm, especially in colder weather.
Women’s Pirate Waistcoat: Pirate women would often wear a waistcoat (a type of vest worn over a shirt), often made of wool, canvas, and sometimes, leather. It provided an extra layer of warmth and protection from the wind.
Women’s Pirate Jacket: Female pirates of the 17th century would also wear a jacket, often made of wool or canvas, to protect against the elements. The jacket would typically have a high collar, which could be lifted up to protect from the wind and rain, and large buttons could be fastened to keep in the warmth.
Pirate Hat: Female pirates costume would have included a bandanna or a wide-brimmed hat, often made of felt or canvas, to protect their face and head from the sun and rain. A pirate outfit female or male, might include a tricorn hat, sometimes called a bicorn hat. Typically made from animal fiber, the most expensive tricorns were made from beaver hair felt and the cheaper, wool felt. Three sides of the hat’s brim were turned up and either pinned or buttoned into place forming a triangle around the crown. It was said that this design allowed the rain and seaspray to drain off behind the shoulders.
Boots: To complete the pirate outfit female pirates need some sturdy boots. Pirate woman would wear tall boots made of leather to protect their feet and legs from water, rope burns, and other hazards.
Overall, pirate women of the 17th century wore clothing that was practical, durable, and designed to protect them from the elements and hazards of life at sea.
Womens Pirate Costume - While On Land
In the 17th century, women's clothing was very different from men's clothing, and their dress varied depending on their social status and the occasion. The pirate costume women of the 17th century wore are thought to have been more revealing and ornate than what was considered proper for respectable women. Some common clothing items worn by pirate women of the time may have included:
Low-cut dresses: The daring women swashbucklers would often wear a pirate dress with low-cut bodices to show off their cleavage, which was considered scandalous at the time. A pirate dress might include ruffles and other extravagant details.
Corsets: Corsets were worn by many women in the 17th century to create a fashionable hourglass figure. A pirate costume for women might include a corset. Corsets were laced tightly to emphasize the wearer’s curves.
Petticoats: Petticoats were a type of underskirt worn by women to add volume to their dresses. Daring women might wear petticoats made of sheer or colorful fabrics to attract attention.
Stockings: Women would wear stockings made of silk or cotton, often with intricate patterns or embroidery.
High-heeled shoes: A pirate outfit female style, could include high-heeled shoes, which became fashionable for women in the 17th century. Pirate women might have worn shoes with very high heels to make them appear taller and more alluring.
Jewelry: Pirate women might wear elaborate jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings, to draw attention to themselves.
Overall, it is thought that pirate women of the 17th century wore clothing that was more revealing and attention-grabbing than what was considered proper for respectable women. They used fashion to express their sexuality and assert their independence, often at the risk of social censure.
Pirate Women
A pirate woman? Yes, there were women pirates in history, although they were relatively few in number compared to male pirates. Women who became pirates often did so for reasons similar to their male counterparts, such as a desire for adventure, financial gain, or escape from social or economic constraints.
One of the most famous was Anne Bonny, A pirate woman who operated in the Caribbean during the early 18th century. Bonny, along with her partner Calico Jack Rackham and fellow female pirate Mary Read, gained notoriety for their bold and daring exploits on the high seas.
Other notable female pirates include Ching Shih, who commanded a large pirate fleet in China during the early 19th century, and Grace O'Malley, who operated off the coast of Ireland in the 16th century. While these women were exceptions rather than the rule, their stories have become part of the larger history of piracy and the sea.
Fit for a Swashbuckling Pirate Wench
If you’re a daring pirate woman, PirateClothingStore.com is the perfect place for the best pirate costume women can wear. A pirate outfit female or male. Choose from a wide selection of high-quality, authentic girl's pirate costumes and womens pirate costumes for your next Pirate Fest, pirate cosplay, or pirate themed party. Check out our selection of pirate dresses, pirate jewelry and accessories to complete the genuine pirate aesthetic.