Help me dress like a pirate

June 5, 2009 11:38 AM

Help me dress like a pirate by tonight.

Okay, so I need to have a passable pirate costume for a party tonight. I don't really have any clothes that fit the bill. Any suggestions on the most crucial items and where I can find them locally for pretty cheap? I'm located in Philadelphia.

Thanks!

posted by ataxia to clothing, beauty, & fashion (17 comments total)

Party stores and toy stores. Parrot, eyepatch, sword, 3 point hat should all be able to be gotten there. Goodwill for fluffy white shirt, leather or black vest. Do you have boots?

And, are you male or female?
posted by Vaike at 11:42 AM on June 5

Bandana do-rag for the head, clip on earring. White shirt, tight-ish pants. Sash for belt. Fake parrot for shoulder. I bet you could locate some of that stuff at a party supply place, near (or among) the party favors. If you want to go all out, get a small steering wheel and hang it out of your fly. If any one asks you about it, respond* with "Yaaar, 'tis drivin' me nuts!"

* - assuming you're a guy
posted by jquinby at 11:45 AM on June 5

Cut the legs off of a pair of pants, below your knee, and shred the hems for that frayed, high water pirate look. Use a bit of rope for a belt. Long sleeved striped shirt. Bandana. Gold hoop earrings (real or fake). Boots.

Or just go to Pierre's on 3rd Street.
posted by iconomy at 11:46 AM on June 5

if it was me I would get a toy AK-47 and go the "modern pirate" route, but I guess it depends on your audience.
posted by drjimmy11 at 11:47 AM on June 5 [2 favorites]

Oddly, I had this same challenge some years back. My solution was a bandanna worn on the head (a la Little Steven or David Foster Wallace), a thrift store tuxedo shirt, old pants cut off raggedly below the knees, and a pair of black shoes.
posted by zombiedance at 11:53 AM on June 5

Use a wire coat-hanger for the requisite hook hand.
posted by MrMoonPie at 11:56 AM on June 5

Seconding Pierre's on 3rd.
posted by ellenaim at 11:59 AM on June 5

Making a sword is easy. Just sharpie an outline onto a pizza box (or any old box you have lying around), cut it out with a blade and wrap in aluminum foil.

Go to the thrift store and fold an old fashioned tuxedo shirt.
posted by special-k at 12:02 PM on June 5

Sorry, I should have mentioned that but yeah, I'm a guy. These are all great ideas, thanks everyone! I think I'm going to have to check out Pierre's.
posted by ataxia at 12:02 PM on June 5

These days, eyeliner might be helpful.
posted by ocherdraco at 12:03 PM on June 5

fold = find
posted by special-k at 12:04 PM on June 5

Dress as yourself, but carry around a few blank CDs or DVDs.
posted by nitsuj at 12:10 PM on June 5 [2 favorites]

Don't forget to bring some limes.

Why? To ward off scurvy, of course.
posted by elder18 at 12:21 PM on June 5

Hurry, Pierre's closes at 5, I think.
posted by iconomy at 12:31 PM on June 5

Get an old leather jacket at goodwill. Cut the sleeves off and use them for leggings. The rest can be made into a vest. Cut off the zipper, buttons, or any modern looking details. Punch a series of holes on either side of where the zipper used to be, and lace up the front with a long shoelace. Wear over a big baggy (and possibly worn and dirty looking) shirt. A scarf on the head, an eyepatch, and you're good to go.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 12:36 PM on June 5 [1 favorite]

Get really, really drunk and have some friends beat the holy living shit out of you. Add an eyepatch. Done.
posted by torquemaniac at 1:09 PM on June 5

Scarves. Around your head, around your waist, around your arm, or use as a sling for your hacked-off hand and make a hook out of tinfoil. Scarves are good.

Any shirt with buttons (or no shirt) + waistcoat (unbuttoned) + roll your trousers up to the knee + boots or barefoot + messy hair + draw on some tattoos with liquid eyeliner = PIRATE.
posted by Pallas Athena at 1:43 PM on June 5