Pirate Costumes

Shiver me timbers! Pirate fancy dress themes have become increasingly popular ever since Johnny Depp demanded more rum in Pirates of the Caribbean. Hen parties, pub-crawls and children's birthday parties are all getting in on the act and as such it's important to make sure that you've got lots of pirate costume ideas.

Firstly, a decent pirate needs an eye patch and a bandana to cover their straggly sea-whipped hair (or possibly long dreadlocked wig). Pirate costumes often also include a big tricorn pirate hat as well, so that everyone knows who's captain.

Captains will also require a decent overcoat so for these pirate costumes a dishevelled but brocaded jacket is a must. For the mere deckhands, a torn pair of trousers and billowing shirt will suffice. Stripy stockings beneath the trousers and buckles on the shoes are all necessary.

Lady pirates should layer a pirate blouse with a corset or waistcoat, an indecently short skirt and a head or waistband in contrasting colours. Stockings and suggestive boots are a must for feminine buccaneers, as is a heaving bosom.

All pirates carry a weapon so complete the costume with a fake pistol, musket or sword. More unfortunate pirates may even need to sport a hook in place of a severed hand, but this is only for the nastiest scourge of the sea.

Don't forget to accessorise all pirate fancy dress costumes with bottles of rum, pieces of eight (or other treasure), looted keys and a trusty sidekick like a parrot attached to the shoulder.