Pirates have sailed our 7 seas for hundreds of years and through time their dress code has been adapted and used in our books,stories and films. No wonder children and adults alike are now borrowing the theme for their partries and celebrations.

Pirates offer us many choices of style for our parties. Foir exampler there is the evil Captin Hook or poerhaps Captain Jack Sparrow. Whatever you like you will find a range of sizes complete with cutlasses to make you outfit complete.

On the other hand you may be an outfit creator. Just get together some basics like baggy black clothing with red or purple beads from the toy store. Gather plenty of frills on the sleeves and big baggy trousers with a large buckle belt. Big buckles are in fashion just now and are perfect.

For footwear, long black leather boots are perfect. If you are willing, a long curly wig will make your outfit complete. Go for dreadlocks or long black hair. For female pirates choose instead, a gypsy skirt.

There are, of course, numerous obvious accessories that make the look that little more authentic. Add a bandana, an eye patch, a sword, jewellery and of course a pirate hat. If you want to go the whole mile then add thick black eyeliner, a parrot, a peg leg or fake tan, as pirates are usually portrayed as quite sun baked. All of this will add to your look and have you winning best costume in no time. Most costume shops will have an assortment of costumes and extra bits so it is easy to get hold of everything you need for the perfect pirates fancy dress.

Body language is as important as the clothes themselves. Develop the saunter and practice it. Speak in a Cornish accent and remember those phrases “Aye matey” and “ahoy” instead of hello. It all adds to the authenticity of your protrayal in your pirates fancy dress outfit.

You can easily pick up the lingo by watching films or searching the internet. You also have to obtain the mindset of a pirate. You need to act confident, arrogant and rebellious by speaking loudly as well as standing tall or you can lean more towards the intoxicated, less clever type, in which case you need to act a little clumsy and throw in some “yo ho ho’s”.

So for which ever fancy dress occasion you attend in your pirates fancy dress, remember to find an over the top costume with all the extras and practice how to walk, talk and act pirate.