International Talk Like A Pirate Day is celebrated annually on September 19th.
Today's the day we get to dress up and have fun talking like a pirate. Yesterday I blogged about hosting a pirate party and today I wanted to share my thoughts on pirate clothes.
Dressing up like a pirate is fun for all ages, men and women alike. I should know because I've dressed like a pirate a few times in my life and I have to tell you it's so much fun. I've always loved pirate history so being a pirate is right up my alley.... or should I say "right up my ships sail."
Because of this fantastic holiday...
my interests were drawl to pirate clothes. As I do ever morning around 5:00am I surfed the web with my morning coffee in hand and enjoy reading about the clothes the pirates wore during the Golden Age of Pirates. What I found out was... much of the pirate clothing was developed through necessity and befitted the lifestyle of a pirate seaman. I'll list a few of my favorite facts below.
The ever so popular monmouth cap was one of them.
This wollen cap dates back to the 1500's. "In 1571 the Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws were passed which ordered everyone over the age of six to wear a woollen cap on Sundays and holidays in order to help England's wool trade! (Motley was a multi-colored woollen fabric woven of mixed threads) The Upper Classes were excused from obeying this law!" So now you know why many pirate costumes include a snug black hat on ones head. Just like the man is wearing the photo above.
The Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws
And did you know the Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws dictated what color of clothing and the materials and fabrics which could be used for each social level. Successful and wealthy pirates took great delight in flouting the Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws. Fine velvets and silks were popular. The colors of pirate clothing included crimson, violet, purple and deep blue. These were typical colors which were previously banned for anyone other than the Upper Classes! History tells us that Black Bart himself was a flamboyant dresser and wore a waistcoat and breeches made of velvet in a rich crimson color.
The Gold Hoop Earring
I always wondered about this one. In my reading the gold hoop earring was a sign of wealth for a pirate but the best part is..... "It was worn to apply pressure to the ear lobe because it was believed to relieve sea sickness. Wow, what about that!
Pirate Food
Resources & Outside Links
www.dresslikeapirate.com/
www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/pirate-clothing.htm
www.bonaventure.org.uk/ed/clothing.htm
Shop Pirate Apparel & Acessories
1 comment:
I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
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