Easy DIY Pirate Outfit Ideas for Women (in 5 Simple Steps)

Pirate outfits are as individual as the adventurous scallywags wearing them. The possibilities are endless! If you're a woman and creating a DIY pirate costume has you, well, stumped *cue cymbals*, then I have just the thing for you.

Whether you’re preparing for Halloween, a themed party, or a cosplay event, these feminine pirate outfit ideas will help you stand out with confidence and flair.

I've styled several looks with mix-and-match pieces to show you how easy it is to pull together your own swashbuckling adventurer look.

Step 1: Choose a top for your pirate outfit.

When choosing a top, there are plenty of styles (and combos) that work for a pirate look. From no sleeves to long sleeves, it's best to choose a top that makes you feel the most comfortable or excited about wearing.

Take a look at the options below to see which one(s) best suit, or appeal to, you.

Billowy Blouses

One of the most feminine ways to create your own pirate outfit is to start with a blouse that has billowy or puffy sleeves—especially ones that can be worn off the shoulders. (You may hear fans of fantasy affectionately refer to these tops as a "peasant," "tavern wench," or "Renaissance" blouse sometimes.)

Solid colors without patterns are usually the go-to approach, but you can always try experimenting with different looks! Lace also looks great with other piratey attire.

Long-Sleeved Button-Down Shirts

Button-down shirts with long, loose sleeves are great for a more androgynous pirate look. You can wear them with the sleeves fully extended or rolled up for a casual, comfortable fit.

These also work well in solid colors without patterns, though a shirt with a jacquard or paisley pattern could also turn out well!

Corsets

Nothing quite says "woman pirate" like a corset-wearing adventurer! Not only does it flatter your natural curves, but it also adds personality to your outfit and can really pull a look together.

From (faux) leather and suede to elaborate patterns and lace, corsets come in a variety of colors and styles that can be fun to mix and match with other tops.

You can also forgo a shirt altogether and wear a corset as your main top.

Sleeveless Vests

Vests are another great option for pulling everything together. Similar to corsets, these also come in an array of colors and styles that allow you to truly personalize your pirate costume.

They're also not as restrictive as corsets and work best if comfort is more of a priority than looks.

Dresses

Kill two birds with one stone and opt for a dress instead of a top and bottoms! You can even layer them with a corset or vest.

Many a lady pirate opts to wear the skirt hiked up on one side, tucked beneath a belt. This creates a more layered and interesting look.

Dresses with ruffles and layered skirts can be especially fun to style as a pirate. Look for one with a top style similar to the options above. Even a dress with a simple tank top and square neck can work well.

Step 2: Select a bottom (skirt, leggings, or pants).

There are a few options when it comes to the lower half of your pirate costume, depending on whether you prefer comfort or flair.

Skirts

One of the easiest ways to add feminine flair to your DIY pirate outfit is to wear a skirt. These can be short or long.

Like with dresses, you can wear these with one side hiked up for a more layered look, if your heart desires. You can even try wearing more than one skirt, or a skirt over a dress, for an extra fluffy look.

Leggings

For a more modern approach to piracy, consider leggings for the bottom half of your costume. Not only are they flexible, but they also provide more privacy than a skirt.

You can go for something stretchy or even leggings made of (faux) leather. They can also be comfortably worn under a skirt for the best of both worlds!

Loose Pants

For a classic androgynous look, loose or baggy pants with a relaxed, wide-leg fit are an excellent choice for a pirate outfit with subtle panache. These look especially great when tucked into a pair of boots (see next section).

For something more dramatic, harem pants make an interesting choice—evoking pirates from Turkey or the Barbary Coast.

Step 3: Pick out boots that complement your pirate outfit.

A sturdy pair of boots will take a pirate far! Be sure to pick a pair that is comfortable and fits well. Boots that lace up, sag with ruched folds like a sack of potatoes, or come with wide cuffs make for especially piratey style.

One common practice among pirate-lovers is to match their boots to their belt or whatever they wear around their waist (see next step). This isn't a requirement, but it's an easy way to make your pirate outfit look more put-together.

Step 4: Decide on an accessory to cinch your waist (belt, corset, etc.).

Most pirate outfits, for both women and men, incorporate some kind of accessory worn around the waist. Oftentimes, this can be a wide belt—great for attaching weapons and other pirate paraphernalia to—but it could also be something more ladylike, such as a full corset or a narrower corset belt (see below).

Some swashbucklers will even pair the two for a layered approach. You can also loop several belts loosely around your abdomen and waist for a strappier style.

For a Romani-inspired take, try a belt made of coins for added sparkle and shine. You can also wrap a scarf or sash around your waist for extra style and layer it with a belt and/or corset.

Step 5: Find more accessories to finish your pirate outfit!

Accessories can really take a pirate costume to the next level! Whether you decide to wear a hat or pile on the jewelry, each accessory will add to your outfit's overall charm.

Coats & Jackets

Layering a coat or jacket over your pirate outfit is an excellent way to add extra flair and style. Consider ones that mimic a naval officer or have wide, embroidered lapels and cuffs with large buttons.

A duster that falls around the knees is another good option.

Materials like leather, wool (or felt), and velvet work well for pirate looks. Embroidered coats and jackets can also work nicely.

Hats, Headpieces, & Scarves

Hats are often a signature part of pirate attire. Extra wide-brimmed styles can be worn as-is or folded and pinned back on one to three sides. Adding feathers and other small details can further personalize your pirate look.

Another option for piratey headgear is a scarf or turban. These can be worn tied with the ends hanging loose or wrapped around the head entirely. Solid colors or prints like florals and paisley pair well with the pirate aesthetic.

Bandanas are another great option for a pirate look.

Pirate Jewelry

Although completely optional, jewelry is a great way to add a personal touch to your pirate outfit. From earrings and rings to necklaces and bracelets, there are many options to choose from!

When it comes to jewelry, ornate styles tend to look great with pirate clothes. Look for pieces that dangle with a variety of gems or coins. Jewelry with skulls, ships, swords, or nautical-themed charms can also be fun to mix into your assortment.

For a minimalist look, try thin hoop-style jewelry or single pearls and gems on an earring or a necklace.

Hair accessories like beads and shells, when braided into the hair, are another way to add more personality to your pirate costume.

Weapons

The most popular prop weapons to carry as a pirate are swords and guns, though you could also carry daggers, or forgo a weapon altogether if you're a pacifist.

Swords come in a variety of styles: straight, curved, narrow, broad... You can also opt for something less conventional, like an ax or a machete.

Guns, or firearms, also come in a variety of styles such as rifles, pistols, and blunderbuses (similar to a shotgun).

Be sure to check local laws and rules at conventions about carrying weapons publicly before purchasing or going out wearing any, especially when it comes to guns and blades. It's important to be safe!

Miscellaneous Props

Other accessories you may like to add to your pirate costume include navigational items like a compass, telescope, pocket watch, or stopwatch. These look great hanging from a belt, if not tucked away into a pocket.

Arm guards (or bracers) and fingerless gloves are another accessory to consider when assembling your outfit. They aren't necessary, but they do serve a more practical purpose to protect against chaffing when using weaponry.

No matter how you choose to accessorize your outfit, it will all look uniquely "you" when it all comes together.

Ready to try your hand at DIY-ing a womanly pirate outfit?

There you have it—five simple steps to create a DIY pirate outfit for women that’s affordable, creative, and fun. Start assembling your look today to set sail on your own adventure. ⛵

Which of these DIY pirate outfit tips are you excited to try? Share your outfit on social media, and be sure to follow and tag My Whimsical Romance on:

Pinterest | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook

I'd love to see what you come up with!

Don’t forget to pin this guide to your Pinterest board for costume inspiration or share it with a friend who needs last-minute pirate outfit ideas.

Yours truly,

Tiyana Marie