How to Put Together a Female Pirate Costume

So you are the biggest fan of "Pirates of the Caribbean" and you want to be Kiera Knightly. Some may think getting to kiss Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp is the best part about playing a female pirate, but getting to wear a fantastic pirate costume can be pretty fun too, once you figure out how to pull it all together.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• White, long sleeve, ruffled shirt
• Tight, black or brown pants
• Long vest (in a muted color)
• Wide black or brown leather belt
• Black or brown thigh-high boots
• Faux sword and holder
• Triangle pirate hat
• Big antique-looking rings
• Large hoop earrings
• Chunky necklaces

1. Start with a classic long sleeve, white, ruffled pirate shirt. It should not be fitted through the body, but fitted and ruffled at the wrist. The more ruffles down the chest the better.

2. Put on a pair of black or brown pants. The pants should be relatively tight, as they will later be tucked into your pirate boots.

3. Add a long vest, hitting you mid-thigh. Any muted color will do, except white. You want contrast between the white shirt and vest. Add a very wide brown or black leather belt to you waist.

4. Step into a pair of brown or black thigh-high flat boots. Be sure the boots have a flap that folds down at the top.

5. Strap a leather sword holder across your body, complete with a faux sword at your hip. Don a triangle pirate hat, and feel free to leave your hair messy either pulled back in a loose ponytail or hanging long.

6. Finish your pirate costume with lots and lots of jewelry. Wear large antique looking rings on every finger. Wear large silver or gold hoop earrings. Add chunky necklaces with large hanging pendants. Don’t forget you can add messy makeup to your face for an authentic “dirty, just left the battle look.” Now all you need is Captain Jack Sparrow and his ship.

Tips & Warnings

• You don't need to invest a lot of money to create this costume. You may own a shirt and pants that will work, or rummage through a Salvation Army store.
• Your clothes should not look new. Pirates get dirty and don't own many clothes.
• You can get big items like thigh-high boots, pirate hats, and faux swords at reasonable party stores.
• Don't stress out and spend a lot of time searching if you can't find a long vest. A short one will work, just wear your shirt outside of your pants, and have it hang longer than the vest.

Resources

• Source for a pirate costume