Terms of UseHow to Act Like a Pirate Explore this Article parts 1 Dressing Like a Pirate 2 Talking Like a Pirate 3 Adding Attitude and Accessories Other Sections Questions & Answers Tips and Warnings Related Articles Expert Interview References Co-authored by Tara Blau Smollen and Sophia Bell
Last Updated: October 19, 2025 References
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This article was co-authored by Tara Blau Smollen and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Bell. Tara Blau Smollen is a Presentation & Acting Skills Coach based in Mill Valley, California. With over 35 years of professional and academic experience, Tara helps fellow coaches, entrepreneurs, and creatives become more comfortable speaking in front of an audience. She is a three-time Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle (BATCC) Award Nominee and a two-time Dean Good Award Recipient. She was an Associate Professor of Theater and Drama at SF State, Contra Costa College, and at Los Medanos College where she taught Beginning Acting and Theater History. Tara received her BA in Theater and English from the University of Wisconsin and her MFA in Theater and Acting from The National Theater Conservatory. This article has been viewed 120,000 times.
Acting like a pirate can be a fun and exciting experience, whether it is for a holiday like Halloween or Talk Like a Pirate Day, or even just for fun. You’ll need to dress the part, so stock up on scarves and tall boots, and find a few oversized white shirts. Learn pirate lingo and remember to say “me” rather than “my” and “ye” rather than “you.” Add some accessories like a parrot and a sword, and toughen up your attitude for true pirate style. Argh, mateys!
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 3:
Dressing Like a Pirate
1 Wear a waistcoat. Adding a waistcoat to your look says you’re the captain of the pirates! Choose one with brass buttons or detailing. You can often find these in vintage stores or costume shops. If not, look online.
2 Choose an oversized shirt. Your shirt should be baggy, so pick one a few sizes larger than you normally would. Choose white or beige, in any fabric. You can choose a blouse or a shirt with ruffles, or a common dress shirt. Tuck it into your pants, let the collar lie flat, and leave the cuffs unbuttoned.[1]XResearch source do
You can also add a sash or scarf in a bright or contrasting color to your waist.
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3 Wear black pants. Long, loose trousers are ideal, but any pair of black pants will do, as long as they aren’t denim. You will want to tuck the pants into your boots to achieve the true pirate style.[2]XResearch source
You can also cut off the bottoms of your pants for a rugged look.
Women can opt for pants or for a long, flowing, poofy skirt.[3]XResearch source
4 Add a vest. Choose a red, navy, or black vest to wear over your shirt. A fabric like velvet is perfect for pirates. You can choose to leave the buttons undone or to button the vest.[4]XResearch source
For women, add a corset or bodice over your shirt.[5]XResearch source
5 Choose tall boots. Pick a pair of boots that are tall and slip-on, rather than lace-up. Choose black or brown. True Buccaneer boots go to the mid-calf and have a large fold-over flap.
For women, choose boots or shoes with buckles.[6]XResearch source
Pirates often go barefoot as well, so that is also an option.
6 Wear a hat. No pirate is complete without their hat! Opt for the tricorne (three-point) style. Choose a simple black hat, or go all out with feather details.
You can tie a scarf around your head under your hat as well.
Alternatively, wear a bandana.
7 Add an eye patch. Choose a black eye patch or one decorated with the jolly roger. Keep in mind that wearing an eye patch will weaken your eye, so if you want to wear one, switch it from eye to eye every day.
8 Get a hook or a peg leg. Many pirates have lost limbs in ferocious sea battles! “Replace” your hand with a fake hook, or your leg with a wooden peg leg for an authentic pirate look. Advertisement
Part 2 Part 2 of 3:
Talking Like a Pirate
1 Use a low, gravelly voice. To sound like a pirate, add a bit of rasp to your voice. A parched, gravelly voice is what you should aim for, since pirates often yell at their shipmates and are at sea for long stretches, where clean drinking water can be scarce. Argh!
2 Mutter or slur your words. Pirates are often drunk and are never concerned with pronunciation. Run your words together, such as “lookit’tha lass” rather than “look at the lass.” Mutter under your breath, saying words like “scallywags” and “lily-livered.”
3 Learn the lingo. Add some nautical terms to your vocabulary, such as “land ahoy,” “on the starboard side.” Pirates also like to say “keep to the code.” You should use words like booty, pillage, buried treasure, matey, plank, buccaneer, landlubber, plunder, lass, scurvy, grog, and savvy.
Do an online search or use an app to learn even more pirate words.
4 Drop your gs and vs. Pirates aren’t worried about pronouncing their words correctly. Use a more casual style, and change “being” to “bein,” “sailing” to “sailin,” “over” to “o’er,” and “never” to “ne’er.”[7]XResearch source
5 Use “be” instead of “am/are.” Pirates be bad with grammar! Instead of “we are sailing,” say “we be sailin’.” Another example is “we be swashbucklin’!”[8]XResearch source
6 Avoid saying “you” and “you’re.” Pirates say “ye” rather than “you,” and “yar” rather than “you are” or “you’re.” Switching out these simple words will have you sounding like a pirate in no time. Examples include “what ye be doin’ boy?” “yar gonna miss the ship,” and “ye better be ready to walk the plank!”[9]XResearch source
7 Use “me” instead of first-person possessives. Instead of saying “my parrot” say “me parrot.” Or, tell someone to “take your hands off me booty” rather than “take your hands off my booty.” Another example is “make sail, me hearty!”[10]XResearch source
8 Double up on your adjectives. Pirates like to exaggerate, so add extra adjectives to your descriptions. Instead of saying “a big ship,” say “a great, grand ship!” Talk about the “no good, lily-livered sailors” rather than the “bad sailors.”[11]XResearch source Advertisement
Part 3 Part 3 of 3:
Adding Attitude and Accessories
1 Growl and scowl. Pirates aren’t happy, peppy people. They look and sound mean and nasty, so get a bit cranky to act like a true pirate.[12]XResearch source
2 Gesture a lot. Gesture with your hand when talking and occasionally slam your hands on a table or other surface. Pirates are very emotional, so ramp up your attitude a couple of notches.
3 Get a parrot. A real or fake parrot will do! Perch it on your shoulder and feed it bits of cracker. A parrot that “talks” is your best bet.
4 Carry weapons. Choose fake weapons so you don’t get into any trouble! Pirates carry a cutlass (sword) and also sometimes a flintlock pistol.[13]XResearch source
5 Wear hoop earrings. Add one or two hoops to your ears if they are pierced. You can also choose earrings with wooden beads.
6 Get a telescope. A proper pirate needs a telescope for spotting ships that can be plundered. You can make one out of a cardboard tube.
7 Walk like a pirate. Add a pirate-like swagger in your step. Be confident and a bit sassy too.
8 Assemble a pirate crew! Round up some friends and turn them into pirates too. If possible, get a ship (maybe a raft), sail together, make maps, and even bury treasure!
9 Drink rum. If you’re of legal drinking age, make rum your drink of choice. Choose a dark, spiced variety rather than the clear liquor. Advertisement
Community Q&A
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Question How do I get a crew? Community Answer One way to get a crew is finding people who have the same interest in pirates and invite them to be the crew. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 49
Question Where can I go to get pirate clothes? Community Answer Definitely look at local costume stores, or Goodwill, for the base pieces of the costume. You can also buy costume pieces online. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 27
Question Where can I find a pirate hat? Community Answer You can usually find a pirate hat at any hobby store or online. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 33
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Warnings
Real piracy is illegal almost everywhere. It was, until very recently, theoretically punishable by death in the UK. Be careful! Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Pirates carry swords and sometimes pistols. However that is illegal in mainland Europe (U.S. laws vary by state), but toy guns and swords work great to get around the laws. It is also not recommended that you replace any limbs with wood or hooks. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Expert Interview
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Co-authored by: Tara Blau Smollen Presentation & Acting Skills Coach This article was co-authored by Tara Blau Smollen and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Bell. Tara Blau Smollen is a Presentation & Acting Skills Coach based in Mill Valley, California. With over 35 years of professional and academic experience, Tara helps fellow coaches, entrepreneurs, and creatives become more comfortable speaking in front of an audience. She is a three-time Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle (BATCC) Award Nominee and a two-time Dean Good Award Recipient. She was an Associate Professor of Theater and Drama at SF State, Contra Costa College, and at Los Medanos College where she taught Beginning Acting and Theater History. Tara received her BA in Theater and English from the University of Wisconsin and her MFA in Theater and Acting from The National Theater Conservatory. This article has been viewed 120,000 times. 98 votes - 81% Co-authors: 66Updated: October 19, 2025 Views: 120,000
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Co-authored by: Tara Blau Smollen Presentation & Acting Skills Coach This article was co-authored by Tara Blau Smollen and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Bell. Tara Blau Smollen is a Presentation & Acting Skills Coach based in Mill Valley, California. With over 35 years of professional and academic experience, Tara helps fellow coaches, entrepreneurs, and creatives become more comfortable speaking in front of an audience. She is a three-time Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle (BATCC) Award Nominee and a two-time Dean Good Award Recipient. She was an Associate Professor of Theater and Drama at SF State, Contra Costa College, and at Los Medanos College where she taught Beginning Acting and Theater History. Tara received her BA in Theater and English from the University of Wisconsin and her MFA in Theater and Acting from The National Theater Conservatory. This article has been viewed 120,000 times. 98 votes - 81% Co-authors: 66 Updated: October 19, 2025 Views: 120,000 
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. 
646 
1 Wear a waistcoat. Adding a waistcoat to your look says you’re the captain of the pirates! Choose one with brass buttons or detailing. You can often find these in vintage stores or costume shops. If not, look online. 
2 Choose an oversized shirt. Your shirt should be baggy, so pick one a few sizes larger than you normally would. Choose white or beige, in any fabric. You can choose a blouse or a shirt with ruffles, or a common dress shirt. Tuck it into your pants, let the collar lie flat, and leave the cuffs unbuttoned.[1] do 
3 Wear black pants. Long, loose trousers are ideal, but any pair of black pants will do, as long as they aren’t denim. You will want to tuck the pants into your boots to achieve the true pirate style.[2] 
4 Add a vest. Choose a red, navy, or black vest to wear over your shirt. A fabric like velvet is perfect for pirates. You can choose to leave the buttons undone or to button the vest.[4] 
5 Choose tall boots. Pick a pair of boots that are tall and slip-on, rather than lace-up. Choose black or brown. True Buccaneer boots go to the mid-calf and have a large fold-over flap. 
6 Wear a hat. No pirate is complete without their hat! Opt for the tricorne (three-point) style. Choose a simple black hat, or go all out with feather details. 
7 Add an eye patch. Choose a black eye patch or one decorated with the jolly roger. Keep in mind that wearing an eye patch will weaken your eye, so if you want to wear one, switch it from eye to eye every day. 
8 Get a hook or a peg leg. Many pirates have lost limbs in ferocious sea battles! “Replace” your hand with a fake hook, or your leg with a wooden peg leg for an authentic pirate look. Advertisement 
1 Use a low, gravelly voice. To sound like a pirate, add a bit of rasp to your voice. A parched, gravelly voice is what you should aim for, since pirates often yell at their shipmates and are at sea for long stretches, where clean drinking water can be scarce. Argh! 
2 Mutter or slur your words. Pirates are often drunk and are never concerned with pronunciation. Run your words together, such as “lookit’tha lass” rather than “look at the lass.” Mutter under your breath, saying words like “scallywags” and “lily-livered.” 
3 Learn the lingo. Add some nautical terms to your vocabulary, such as “land ahoy,” “on the starboard side.” Pirates also like to say “keep to the code.” You should use words like booty, pillage, buried treasure, matey, plank, buccaneer, landlubber, plunder, lass, scurvy, grog, and savvy. 
4 Drop your gs and vs. Pirates aren’t worried about pronouncing their words correctly. Use a more casual style, and change “being” to “bein,” “sailing” to “sailin,” “over” to “o’er,” and “never” to “ne’er.”[7] 
5 Use “be” instead of “am/are.” Pirates be bad with grammar! Instead of “we are sailing,” say “we be sailin’.” Another example is “we be swashbucklin’!”[8] 
6 Avoid saying “you” and “you’re.” Pirates say “ye” rather than “you,” and “yar” rather than “you are” or “you’re.” Switching out these simple words will have you sounding like a pirate in no time. Examples include “what ye be doin’ boy?” “yar gonna miss the ship,” and “ye better be ready to walk the plank!”[9] 
7 Use “me” instead of first-person possessives. Instead of saying “my parrot” say “me parrot.” Or, tell someone to “take your hands off me booty” rather than “take your hands off my booty.” Another example is “make sail, me hearty!”[10] 
8 Double up on your adjectives. Pirates like to exaggerate, so add extra adjectives to your descriptions. Instead of saying “a big ship,” say “a great, grand ship!” Talk about the “no good, lily-livered sailors” rather than the “bad sailors.”[11] Advertisement 
1 Growl and scowl. Pirates aren’t happy, peppy people. They look and sound mean and nasty, so get a bit cranky to act like a true pirate.[12] 
2 Gesture a lot. Gesture with your hand when talking and occasionally slam your hands on a table or other surface. Pirates are very emotional, so ramp up your attitude a couple of notches. 
3 Get a parrot. A real or fake parrot will do! Perch it on your shoulder and feed it bits of cracker. A parrot that “talks” is your best bet. 
4 Carry weapons. Choose fake weapons so you don’t get into any trouble! Pirates carry a cutlass (sword) and also sometimes a flintlock pistol.[13] 
5 Wear hoop earrings. Add one or two hoops to your ears if they are pierced. You can also choose earrings with wooden beads. 
6 Get a telescope. A proper pirate needs a telescope for spotting ships that can be plundered. You can make one out of a cardboard tube. 
7 Walk like a pirate. Add a pirate-like swagger in your step. Be confident and a bit sassy too. 
8 Assemble a pirate crew! Round up some friends and turn them into pirates too. If possible, get a ship (maybe a raft), sail together, make maps, and even bury treasure! 
9 Drink rum. If you’re of legal drinking age, make rum your drink of choice. Choose a dark, spiced variety rather than the clear liquor. Advertisement 
Community Answer One way to get a crew is finding people who have the same interest in pirates and invite them to be the crew. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 49 
Community Answer Definitely look at local costume stores, or Goodwill, for the base pieces of the costume. You can also buy costume pieces online. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 27 
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