How to Make a Pirate Costume

This Halloween, assembling the scurviest pirate costume doesn't have to cost a chest full of gold doubloons. With a few basic pieces of clothing and a couple of inexpensive props, you can become the spitting image of Long John Silver or Captain Jack Sparrow in no time.

There are many different types of pirate, from dapper and dashing to downright disgusting. Bearded bullies stalked the deck alongside women in men's clothing. Decide whether you wish to be a dashing pirate captain or a filthy scalawag of a deck scrubber, or perhaps a famous pirate from history or fiction. Whichever you choose, you'll have a costume that is fairly easy and inexpensive to assemble.

• Pirate captains were often vain and fancy fellows, given to wearing their booty on their sleeves. Here's what you'll need to be as dashing as Captain "Calico" Jack Rackham.http://www.thepirateking.com/bios/rackham_calico_jack.htm

1. Blousy white button-down shirt—If you can find an old tuxedo shirt with a ruffled front, even better. Don't be afraid to express your cut-throat nature in flowing sleeves and frilly cuffs. You want to steer clear of form-fitting, tailored shirts for this costume.http://www.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_250/291_fashion_advice.html
2. Knee pants—If you were a really wealthy pirate, you might be wearing velvet, but if you just want to look like one, try squeezing into an undersized pair of sweatpants and pulling them up so the cuffs sit just below your knees.http://www.oldyork.org/programs/travelers.html Slip on a pair of white women's trouser socks or tall plain white tube socks to complete the look.
3. Boots/shoes—Wear tall black or brown leather boots with no laces.http://www.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_250/291b_fashion_advice.html If you don't have boots, black loafers or Oxfords are a suitable shoe.
4. Coat/vest—Long velvet frock coats are super, but tough to find. You can make do with a vest in brocade or other rich fabric.http://www.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_250/291_fashion_advice.html Add a lacy hankie to the pocket if you are feeling especially foppish.
5. Weaponry—Swords, cutlasses, and pistols were all popular with pirate captains, the more the better. Wear a sword belt and tuck your pistols into bandoliers crossed over your chest.
6. Hat Pirate captains are famous for favoring the tricorn hat, which you can purchase or try making yourself.[http://erl.wik.is/EBetty_DIY/Tricorn_Pirate_Hat

• "Filthy," "tattered," and "workworn" are the watch words for this version of the pirate costume!

1. Shirt—Choose a tunic-style shirt or a jersey knit shirt. The latter is best in a pattern of red or blue and white horizontal stripes.http://www.cindyvallar.com/dress.html If wearing a tunic, be sure to add a wide leather belt or a colorful scarf as a sash around your waist to complete the outfit.http://www.goodwillsp.org/index_headlines.html?id=80
2. Pants—Use black or dark blue pants, cut off several inches from the bottom so that they come to midshin. You can cut them straight across or in a jagged, shaggy pattern.http://www.howtodothings.com/family-and-relationships/a3955-how-to-create-a-pirate-costume.html
3. Shoes—Black loafers or Oxfords, the more scuffed the better. Socks are optional, but plain white tube socks pulled up to the knee are a good choice.
4. Hat—Tie a red or black bandana over your head so that the knot is in the back. Tuck the flap behind the knot.
5. Beads and baubles—Fancy brooches, gold watches, a fat ascot and hat pins, blinged-out rings, and gaudy strings of beads and baubles: pirates believed in flaunting it if they had it.http://www.pirates-life.com/clothes.html

There are several items that can be used to accessorize a pirate costume. Below are a few of the items that may be considered:

1. Eye patch—Purchase a plastic one or make your own.http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-pirate-eye-patch-for-your-kids-or-masquerad/
2. Hook—If you're planning to dress up as Peter Pan's infamous nemesis, you'll need one of these!http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0026840/bio Make it or buy one.http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e04368
3. Parrot—If you're the pet-loving type, you might want to slap a Polly on your shoulder. Pick up a feather-covered Styrofoam bird form at a crafts store or a small stuffed animal parrot and safety pin it to your shoulder.
4. Telescope—Purchase a plastic toy version of make one.http://www.boardmanweb.com/party/pirate.html
5. Treasure map—Draw a simple map on a piece of parchment, muslin, or birch bark that has been stained with coffee or tea.http://www.youthwork-practice.com/adventure-camps-events-programs/pirates-craft-ideas-pirate-festival.html
6. Beard/mustache (hair)—Facial hair ranging from a false mustache to a straggly, droopy pirate beard can be applied with a bit of spirit gum.http://www.monkeysee.com/play/2702-costume-makeup-applying-a-fake-mustache http://www.monkeysee.com/play/2703-costume-makeup-applying-localized-fake-hair
7. Beard/mustache (face paint/makeup)—You can use dark brown or black face paint to apply a beard and mustache if you don't want to go the fake-hair route.http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10238 If you want to style yourself less grubby deck-swabber and more Jack Sparrow, use an eyeliner stick and black eyeshadow to draw on a mustache and beard.http://family.go.com/entertainment/pkg-face-painting/pkg-halloween-face-painting-pirate/
8. Gold hoop earring—Seafaring men and women wore a gold hoop in at least one ear. Purchase one with a clip-on back if you don't have pierced ears.http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10238
9. Dirty-face makeup—Use eyeshadow in shades of brown and gray or make your own.http://www.familycorner.com/family/kids/crafts/makeup_halloween.shtml
10. Wrinkles and scars—Life at sea is hard on the skin - use nontoxic white school glue to give yourself a windchapped, wrinkled complexion.http://facepaintingtips.com/blog/2007/10/18/halloween-make-up-ideas-wrinkles-moles-and-warts/