Pirate Clothing
The original pirate clothing was adapted from a style called "slops" during the 17th century. In 1628 the British Admiralty decided on a sailor's attire and provided a type of uniform for press-ganged sailors. The Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws of 1571 had set the standards for what type of clothing would be worn by each class of people. The pirates adapted "slops" to pirating because they were the clothing of their class.
Slops
The "slops" consisted of Monmouth caps, canvas doublets, canvas breeches, linen shirts, cotton waistcoats, cotton drawers, stockings and shoes. The Monmouth cap dates back to the 16th century. The cap was made of wool and was required to be worn by every male over the age of 6 on Sundays and holidays. Upper classes did not have to obey the law so the Monmouth cap became a symbol of the common man.
Breaking the Clothing Law
The pirates did not like the Elizabethan Sumptuary Law. They broke the law by wearing colors and fabrics that were supposed to be for the upper classes. Fine velvets and silks became the preferred pirate attire, especially among wealthy pirates. Fabric used for pirate clothing included canvas, wool, cotton, linen, sheepskin, leather, damask, camlet, taffeta and sarcanet. A treasured adornment to a pirate's outfit was exotic feathers of purple, deep blue, crimson and violet.
Motley Crew
Motley refers to a multi-colored fabric made from wool during the 14th to 17th centuries. Pirates' clothing was comprised of what they could steal and how much wealth they had to buy expensive material. The clothing did not fit the crew well and multiple colors were mixed together. The combinations were not by choice but out of necessity. "Motley Crew" became the expression given to the pirates due to the unusual combination of colors and sizes.
Outfits
The captain of each pirate ship wore the most flamboyant clothing of the crew. He normally wore a hat adorned with an exotic feather that matched the color of his waistcoat. He wore matching waistcoat and breeches, both made of crimson velvet. He wore a silk sash tied around his waist and a leather sash that was worn diagonally across his shoulder and the front of his waistcoat. Boots were worn by the captain along with adornments of gold jewelry.
Motley clothing for the pirate crew were three-cornered hat, bandanna, doublet/coat, Monmouth caps, breeches, waistcoats, shirts, boots, stockings and drawers.
Pirate Accessories
Other items that the pirates wore were gold hoop earrings; precious metal, jewels and pearl jewelry; sash; braids; ribbons; boots; belts, buckles, fancy buttons, wigs and scarves. Crew members did not always wear boots; they went barefoot when swabbing the deck.
Pirates used and carried a type of sword called the pirate cutlass. This type of sword was curved and very heavy. It had only one cutting edge but was very deadly. And they carried daggers and pistols, often in their sashes.
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