Designed by Benjamin Thappa
Crafting Anne Bonny’s Pirate Look: From Clean to Stolen
Anne Bonny, the fierce Irish pirate from the 17th century, wasn’t just known for her daring deeds on the high seas—her look had to match her rebellious spirit. After running away with pirate Calico Jack, Anne quickly earned a reputation for being as tough as the men around her. Her costume needed to reflect a life of piracy, with worn clothes that told the story of battles, storms, and stolen riches.
Designing the Pirate Wardrobe
Creating Anne’s look involved capturing the rugged, no-nonsense nature of a pirate. Working with designer Benjamin Thappa, we had to balance historical accuracy with practicality—pirates weren’t known for their pristine wardrobes. The main challenge was adapting men’s patterns to fit a female form, as women’s clothing in the early 1700s wasn’t designed for comfort or mobility. The result? A looser fit, with a round-neck frock coat and an open waistcoat that gave it that perfect pirate vibe. We even decided to add sleeves at first to teach the process, though Anne’s sleeves were eventually “torn off” to add to the rugged feel.
Crafting the Coat and Waistcoat
The heart of Anne’s look was the coat. Starting with a pattern from the 1700s, I made adjustments to fit Anne’s character, adding layers of fabric to create that worn, battle-hardened look. The coat was constructed with a calico layer and an outer fabric, basted together with care to ensure a perfect fit. To give it that “stolen from a man” effect, I used a toile, fitting it on a male model first before finalizing the design.
The waistcoat was trickier. Initially, we wanted it fully embroidered, but time constraints led me to improvise, using a thistle-printed upholstery fabric. After dyeing it red and adjusting the design, the waistcoat came together with custom buttons crafted from fabric scraps.
Making the Trousers
The trousers were made using a men’s pattern and dyed from cream and brown stripes to a rich brown, adding brass buttons for authenticity. While I didn’t add pockets for Anne’s look, I knew they’d be useful for other pirate characters. The trousers were designed to reflect a rough-and-ready pirate lifestyle—practical, simple, and rugged.
Breaking Down the Look
Once the garment was constructed, it was time to make it look lived-in. I used sandpaper on areas like the seams and sleeve holes to mimic wear. I also sprayed the coat with various shades of Dirty Down sprays—khaki, rust, and brown—to create a weathered effect, simulating years of battling storms at sea. Barbour Wax was rubbed into the fabric for a textured, salt-stained look.
I distressed other parts of the costume, including the sword belt and shoes, to match Anne’s rough-and-tumble lifestyle. For a final touch, I soaked the belt in saltwater to make the leather look like it had been through many oceanic adventures
Final Touches
To perfect the color palette, I dyed the silk sash red, the waistcoat burgundy, and the shirt olive green. Each color helped bring out the ruggedness and boldness of Anne’s character. Once everything was sewn, distressed, and dyed, Anne Bonny’s pirate look was ready—not just as a costume, but as a reflection of a pirate who had fought her way into history.
Anne’s look wasn’t just about looking like a pirate—it was about creating a piece of history. A look that embodied her fierce spirit, rebellious nature, and life on the run. With every detail, the costume told the story of a woman who defied society, battled through adversity, and became a legend on the high seas.
Photography by Shill Photography
Anne Bonny modelled by Madi Barnicoat – Mary Read modelled by Rhiannon Occhini
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