Pirate Costume Help

[Orphena]

Greetings Costume Aficionados!

I need some help creating a "tastefully" sexy female pirate outfit.  Allow me to explain.

I am on cast for my local Pirate Festival, and my character is the Chandler's Wife – for those unfamiliar with the song, I am married to the chandler, but I entertain other men – specifically, in my role, pirates. Now, I (the person, not the character) have always taken a more ladylike approach to this role – I wear a polonaise gown, (With corset) and am a bit of a  fashionista – in fact, I always have trouble with appearing unladylike (I still get a thrill anytime someone addresses me as M'lady"!).  I will flirt with the cast, and some patrons, but it never goes very far – for my part, I'm not that suggestive, just dropping hints that I know the pirates a little better than I should, and I've found that a mischievous smile, wink, or an overlong glance seems to go a long way for advertising that side of my character.

This year, as part of the storyline, my character discards the lady, and appears as a pirate – and although I have not yet seen the script, I am SURE that this should be a remarkable change - the entertainment director put in the words "not so much "lady"".  I know for a fact that this does NOT mean "be masculine".

I have done some looking at female pirate art, and here are my restrictions. I am not willing to show my midriff – my corset hides too many sins! Other than that – I will try to consider other suggestions with an open mind – this is a family show, so let's keep it appropriate, but my reveal is also during pub sing, and should make a splash. This is outside my comfort zone.... So please help!

[isabelladangelo]

Men's britches, the stays, a shirt for under the stays, a lady's waistcoat and frock coat, and clocked stockings.  Something along these lines, but with pants. 

[gem]

I would take your cues from your already-established character. As the fashionista, think men's haute couture, and play that up as much as you can. A very fine frock coat, breeches, overstated shoes (or even boots; but shoes will show your legs, the way a woman's skirts do not), an elaborate hat, etc. But, I would absolutely stick with your stays, instead of a waistcoat. Make a new fancy set (or at the very least a stomacher), if your current ones are plain. Butterick makes a nice 18th C. stays pattern.

As for "masculine," I would insist on a very prominent sword. 

Stays + men's clothes + sword should give you a nice mix of sexy and masculine, while still maintaining your personal modesty.

As for a dramatic reveal, make sure the new clothes are in a different colorway, so they're noticeable right away.

[LadyFae]

Not sure if this helps give you any ideas but it is AuntieGiggles and myself as pirates last season.  She was the captain, I was her first mate.  It was SUPER cold that day so we layered up really well and had a blast.



Just me- I went with the shorter skirt for appropriate fighting capabilities.     Two cloaks- the short one doubled as an extra skirt and a place for my captain to sit so as not to dirty her finery.  A well cinched bodice created a heavable busom so that there was no doubt about my femininity. 

[Orphena]

Ok, so I just noticed that I missed a word " NOT" ... Fairly important. Added it in now. I am actually looking for something feminine... My bad!

[Hausfrau Monica]

Good to see you back on the boards, Orphena.... and what an exciting new change to your character. Hopefully I will get to see it. I am sooooo sad that I didn't get out to any of the local faires at all last season but I hope to see you at some point this summer. Lots of changes in my life and lots of catching up to do. I miss all of our faire friends.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Here is my pirate garb.  It's a Moresca Cleo bodice in black.  The Pirate bodice pushes in on my transplanted kidney, so I can't wear that one, but it's a great bodice, too.  A hip length chemise, and Lady Kathleen made me pirate bloomers that go below the knee with a ruffle.  Then I have an open overskirt tucked up into my belt.



Here's another view, with a different skirt that is not tucked up.



You can tell it's pirate-y, but still feminine.

[Bonny Pearl]

Here is my pirate:  Leggings, pirate boots, full bodice/coat with detachable sleeves (great for hot days and flouncy sleeves!), flask (all good pirates need a flask!), hat & pistol securely (and noticeably) tucked into the front of my belt.  Play up your jewelry since you are a lady of worth, etc.

Hope this helps with what you may have in mind.  The coat is from Damsel in this Dress.  You may want to look at her pirate items on her website for inspiration as well.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41799285@N04/5797091829/#

Tried to put the picture directly onto this post but this site is plaguing me and my patience ran thin lol.  Let me know if the link doesn't work.

[RowenD]

   I'm thinking you would be happy with Isabella's suggestion.  This should be fun!
   
   Look for any extreme fashions of the time and exaggerate them:
   You can stay covered to the chin-portraying a well 'kept' lady does not require showing a lot of skin or heavage.
   I see a feminine colored frock coat with pants, possibly a fine partlet blouse with lots of lace at neck and wrists, a fancy corset, velvet knee breeches, and  pilgrim style buckle shoes over clocked hose.  Possibly a wig if you can find one to suit.
   Makeup should be overdone, but not tarted up:  You are a courtesan-not a lady or a trollop-who owns some reasonably blingy jewelry, because you are good at what you do.  
  Beauty patches on white or a very pale face comes to mind... big ones in fanciful shapes like sailing ships or nautical items, though I would stay away from anything featuring 'Jolly Roger' since that theme is overdone.
   The hat (tricorn) can be either small and dainty, or big and dripping with lace and feathers....
   
I might try this for the next pirate fest....
   

[Orphena]

Thanks for everyone's pictures and suggestions.... here is what I wear right now. I think the transformation needs to be big - something entirely different, something that says "sexy pirate" rather than demure lady. But I don't want to be labelled as.... distasteful or sleazy..... so, where is the line?

[gem]

Ok, that's very helpful! And sorry for the misunderstanding earlier! 

That said... I kind of stand by what I put in my earlier post (except for the breeches). You can totally transform that look with a frock coat (also look for riding habit patterns), a tricorn hat, and a beautiful set of pretty stays... and the sword. Again, I would go in a completely different direction, colorwise--red or cream, perhaps--and be more ornate with the trim and embellishments. The JP Ryan Jackets pattern has some that lace across like stomachers, which could be very pretty and saucy, without being not-ladylike or exposing more than your current ensemble does.

The key is to continue to highlight the areas considered sexy in the period: neck, decolletage, wrists. Your current outfit already does that; it's just the nature of the 18th c. silhouette. But you can change how the ensemble *reads* without exposing anything more than you do already, just by dramatic switches in color, fabric, embellishment... and attitude. I think YOUR PERFORMANCE on stage is going to sell 95% of the transformation; you just need a costume that encourages you to feel it.

Remember, they didn't say "look like a tart," they said, "look like a pirate!"