How to Make a Fast & Easy Homemade Pirate Costume

Pants and Skirts

• 1

  Cut off a pair of pants with wide stripes in black and white or gray to just above the ankle on a jagged line. The stripes in pirate costumes come from the fact that so many of them were once convicts and escaped in prison garb. Alternatively, choose a rough fabric in a natural color such as brown, black or gray. Rolling the cuffs may be preferable if a pair of appropriate and unneeded pants are not available. Cut a skirt of similar fabric and color for a female pirate. Be careful not to cut too high with your jagged line.

• 2

  Apply brightly colored patches of other fabric cut from an old blanket or bed sheet. Tack them on with a stitch or two, or hot glue them into position to add texture. Cutting ragged gashes in the knees of trousers can also give a distressed look.

• 3

  Add a wide leather belt or tie a rope or bright colored scarf around your waste for a sash.

Improvised Pirate Shirts

• 4

  Wear a baggy poet style shirt, if available, tucked into the belt or sash tied around the waste. Stick with solid colors like white, red or black.

• 5

  Roll up the sleeves on a bright, horizontally striped T shirt as a suitable alternative. Basic colors, such as red, yellow, blue and black, work best. Coordinate the color with the color of your sash or other accessories for a cohesive look.

• 6

  Cut the sleeves and neck out of an old dark gray or black sweatshirt. Cut a V at the neck and poke holes down either side that can be laced up with a shoe lace or piece of clothesline or other light cord. This can be worked over a large white dress shirt to give a tunic effect. Wrap the belt or sash around it.

Accessories and Finishing Touches

• 7

  Top your shirt with a vest. Stick to basic colors or stripes for the best effect. Red vests are reminiscent of Disney's "Smee" in the classic "Peter Pan".

• 8

  Pull on a long dark overcoat to give the appearance of an officer. If they are long enough, roll the sleeves up and sew on a pair of brass buttons or glue on a stripe of gold braid at each wrist. Coffee filters with the bottoms cut out make good shirt cuffs, taped into the ends of your coat sleeves.

• 9

  Draw on a mustache or beard with brown eyeliner. Wrap your head with a bandana, or wear a long wig to complete the effect. For footwear, leather dress shoes, sandals or boots work best. Go barefoot as an alternative if proper footwear is not available.