For centuries, the world of piracy has been romanticized in literature and film, often depicting swashbuckling men with flamboyant attire. However, the stories of women who defied societal norms and embraced the pirate life are equally compelling. These women challenged gender roles, risked everything, and left legacies as explorers, warriors, scientists, and strategists. While these legendary ladies were once the rare exception, today they are part of a growing tide. Far from the sidelines, these women paved the way. This article delves into the history of women pirates, their hairstyles, attire, and the impact they had on the world of piracy.
The sea was traditionally considered a man’s world, where women were seen as bad luck on board. Superstitions held that they would distract sailors, create chaos, and anger the sea gods. However, history reveals a different story of women who defied these expectations and carved their own paths in the maritime world.
Several women pirates have become legendary figures, their stories inspiring both awe and fascination. These women not only participated in piracy but also left their mark on history through their leadership, bravery, and defiance of societal norms.
Zheng Yi Sao, also known as Ching Shih, was the most successful female pirate in history. Born into humble circumstances, she initially worked as a prostitute. At the age of 26, she married the notorious pirate captain Zheng Yi. After his death in 1807, at 32, she took control of his pirate fleet and transformed it into an unstoppable naval force.
At the height of her reign, she commanded the legendary Red Flag Fleet, an armada of over 300 ships and a crew of 20,000 to 40,000 pirates. She established a strict code of laws that governed her fleet. Defying an empire, she successfully defeated Qing dynasty fleets sent to destroy her and even fought off the Portuguese and British. In the end, the Chinese government couldn’t beat her, so they offered her a pardon. After she was pardoned by the Chinese emperor, she remarried and ran a successful gambling house.
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Sayyida al Hurra lived a life of adventure and romance. She was not merely a pirate; she was a queen, a refugee, a warrior, and a power broker of the 16th-century Mediterranean. Exiled to Morocco, Sayyida rose to become governor of Tétouan, a vital port city on the North African coast. There, she transformed personal loss into political power, swearing vengeance against Spain and Portugal. Her weapon of choice? For over 30 years, she commanded a fleet that terrorized European ships along the western Mediterranean.
She forged a strategic alliance with the infamous Oruç Reis Barbarossa, a fearsome Ottoman pirate and admiral. But Sayyida was more than a pirate commander; she was also a skilled diplomat and ruler. She negotiated directly with European monarchs, wielding influence usually denied to women of her era.
Born into Breton nobility around 1300, Jeanne de Clisson lived a quiet life of privilege until her world was shattered. Her husband, Olivier de Clisson, a respected nobleman, was publicly executed by King Philip VI of France on dubious charges of treason. To raise her fleet, she sold her property and bought three warships. She painted them jet black, flew blood-red sails adorned with the image of her husband’s severed head, as a symbol of her quest for revenge.
She allied herself with the English crown, which had its quarrel with France during the Hundred Years’ War. For over 13 years, Jeanne personally led brutal attacks on French ships. Jeanne was not only a feared pirate - she was also a mother of five children. Jeanne accepted the offer and retired from her life of piracy. In her later years, Jeanne lived as a wealthy and respected noblewoman.
Anne Bonny, an Irish woman born in the late 17th century, and Mary Read were two of the most famous female pirates. Mary Read was born to the widow of a sea captain who had perished at sea. When Read’s older brother died, to continue getting monetary support from her in-laws, Mary’s mother began dressing her up as a boy. She later married a Flemish soldier who died and left her penniless. Once again, she disguised herself as a man and was recruited onto a ship bound for the Caribbean.
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In Nassau, Anne Bonny met the infamous pirate captain John “Calico Jack” Rackham and became enamored with the pirate lifestyle. She abandoned her husband and joined Rackham’s crew, disguising herself as a man to blend in. Bonny was known for her fierce temper, skilled swordsmanship, and refusal to adhere to societal conventions. Once her true gender was revealed, Anne Bonny proved herself to be a fierce fighter and earned the respect of her pirate crew.
Mary and Anne, together with Captain Jack Rackham, continued to loot and destroy. Legend has it that they formed a love triangle, but in 1720, they were all captured. Mary and Anne managed to delay their hanging by claiming to be pregnant, but Mary fell ill with a fever in prison and died.
Hollywood has heavily influenced our concept of what a "pirate" should look like. So has the commercial "costume" industry. Striped pants torn at the bottom, huge feathered tricorn hats, and hooks have become the "uniform" look; however, there isn't a uniform or a "look" that pirates would have worn. They were every-day men (and a few women) who took to pirating - but their clothing would be styled after the clothing available from the time period.
Most of the "pirate" characters you see at Renfaire are loosely based on 18th Century styling rather than the 16th Century so there is a lot of confusion - especially for women about what styles to wear. If you plan to base your character on an 18th Century townsfolk rather than just the ubiquitous "pirate" - I recommend you keep your garb as simple as possible. Not everyone in a port town would be pirates! If you watch/watched Black Sails there were more people than just the pirate crews.
Pirate attire was primarily dictated by practicality and functionality. Pirates were everyday people who took to the seas, and their clothing reflected the styles available during their time. Instead of elaborate costumes, they wore clothing that allowed them to perform their duties effectively.
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Common garments included linen shirts, breeches, and waistcoats. Women often wore layers of petticoats and simple bodices. To transform Renfaire garb into 18th-century pirate attire, one could add a jacket, an apron, and a neckerchief. Hiking up skirts to make them shorter and showing ankles was also a common practice.
Natural fibers such as linen and cotton prints were preferred for their durability and comfort. Linen fabrics were a staple used in the 18th Century. They will last longer than cotton - - provided you launder them properly. There are some linen-cotton blends that sell for approx. $8 a yard. Synthetic fabrics like polyester were generally avoided.
Hairstyles among women pirates varied. Some women pirates disguised themselves as men, cutting their hair short and binding their chests to blend in with the male crew. Others maintained their long hair, often wearing it in practical styles such as braids or buns to keep it out of their faces during combat. Anne Bonny, with her striking red hair, is often depicted with her hair flowing freely in battle, an intimidating sight meant to startle their enemies.
Accessories played a crucial role in completing the pirate look. Kerchiefs, worn around the head or neck, were common for both men and women. Other accessories included belts, sashes, and jewelry, often obtained from plundered ships.
Disney has long drawn from real history to shape its attractions, and the story of Anne Bonny and Mary Read fits perfectly into its fun, albeit romanticized world of pirates. The 'pirate' garb sold at renfaire, and in costume stores, isn't historically based.
Redd, the red-haired pirate in Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, is undoubtedly inspired by these two historical figures-especially Anne Bonny. With her confident stance, rebellious attitude, and command of the auction scene, Redd embodies the fearless spirit of these infamous women.
The character of Redd has undergone big transformations herself over the years at Disneyland. For decades, she was a woman being auctioned off by pirates after the capture of Puerto Dorado. She was striking not just for her red hair and clothing, but she was also scandalously holding up her skirts! The horror! A pirate auctioneer used to show, "Strike your colors, you brazen wench! No need to expose your superstructure!" But Disney decided to update the attraction in all its parks in 2017 from the wench to the pirate known as Redd. Shortly thereafter, they even debuted Redd as a live character to meet in the parks.
While the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has popularized the image of pirates, it often takes liberties with historical accuracy. The costumes and hairstyles depicted in the films are often more elaborate and flamboyant than what real pirates would have worn. However, the franchise has also introduced many people to the fascinating world of piracy, sparking interest in the real-life stories of these daring individuals.
tags: #pirate #hairstyles #women #history
