Handmade Pirate Wench Gowns
A pirate wench costume is a classic for Halloween parties or masquerade gatherings. Make a costume by sewing one; or by find the pieces at thrift stores and garage sales. Often, old clothes can be put together, altered and accessorized to make a pirate wench costume that draws compliments.
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Bodice
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Find or make a peasant-style blouse for a wench look. Look for full sleeves, ruffles and a loose fit. As a less-expensive alternative to cutting out and sewing a blouse, use an old men's shirt or search for a peasant blouse at a thrift store. No pirate wench costume is complete without laces somewhere on it. Add corset-style laces to the blouse or put a lace-up vest or cummerbund over the blouse to look like a pirate.
Skirt
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Traditionally, pirate wenches wear skirts, not pants. There are several styles that work for the look. One is the handkerchief skirt, with a hemline with various points. An easy way to create this look is to layer two squares of fabric, then layer them for an eight-pointed look to a skirt. A peasant skirt made of several rows of gathers -- also known as tiers -- each one wider than the next, is another type of wench skirt.
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Colors
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For a pirate wench, black and red are the most common colors, but other colors can also pair with black. Blue and burgundy are also use in pirate outfits. Pirate wench costumes often feature stripes as accents, particularly as contrasts to a solid color. For example, make a solid black skirt and a solid red lace-up vest, then add a striped red and black scarf over a full blouse.
Accessories
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Fingerless gloves are a good addition to a pirate wench costume. Make them from shirt sleeves with a thumb-hole cut in them for a quick, easy solution. Long boots also complete the look, as do scarves tied around the head, around the waist or leg. Add a sword or three-cornered hat or even an eye patch to top-off a great pirate look.
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References
- Photo Credit Thomas Northcut/Lifesize/Getty Images
