
This post, Easy Pirate Costume, may contain affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through one of these links, Penguins in Pink will receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Penguins in Pink is an Amazon Associate site.
This Easy Pirate Costume is super cute and simple to make. Firstly the base of the costume is made with a t-shirt and skirt or pants. I tried to use materials that we had at home for the costume i.e. t-shirts and skirt or pants. Then added a few key items to give the costume more character.
For a trunk or treating event at school, Doodles decided to be a pirate. I had previously been a pirate the year before for a trunk of treating event. So we had most of the costume on hand.
Easy Pirate Costume

Base of the costume:
- T-shirt
- Skirt or pants
- Boots
An old t-shirt is best to use. However we didn’t have an old t-shirt. But we did have some t-shirts leftover in a big pack from another shirt project. To create the pirate shirt I just cut up the neck line, arms, and bottom hem but only a little bit.
For Doodles costume we used a black tulle skirt. However for my costume I used an old ankle length skirt that I cut the bottom off of.
Boots are generally the accepted pirate footwear but I wore tennis shoe with knee length pirate themed socks.
Key pieces to add:
The key pieces are optional but really bring the costume together. Some of these pieces can be found with other costumes or dress up items. While others can be used from craft or school supplies. For example, the vest and bandanna came from the girls closet.
- Vest
- Pirate hat
- Eye patch
- Parrot
- Bandanna
- Belt
- Coin purse with fake coins
- Tattoos
- Telescope, sword, or hook

I picked up a pirate accessory set on Amazon a few years ago when I was a pirate for a trunk or treating event. I have just reused those pieces over and over for each pirate costume. The parrot I picked up at Target during Halloween that same year.
However the bandanna was one we had on hand. The belt I made from a scrap strip of fabric. For my belt I used a skull and crossbones scarf I borrowed from my sister. Similarly I made the coin purse from a scrap of square fabric. I used eyeliner to make the tattoos because it was a school event and I didn’t have any “cool” temporary pirate tattoos on hand.
I also used party beads to string the telescope on. Since it was a school event we didn’t use the hook or sword. Also to give the hat more character I attached the eye patch to the front and added a feather in the hat.
I love how easy this pirate costume is to throw together. Specifically I enjoy how versatile it is from adult to kid and from girl to boy.
Be sure to stop by my DIY page where I link all my DIY projects.
Have a great day!
Brandi
This post may or may not contain referral links. Please read my disclosure policy here.
Looking for more fun Crafts? Check out my DIY & Crafts board on Pinterest.

Leave a Reply