Fashion in the Age of Pirates (& making an Our Flag Means Death historically accurate cosplay)

The early 18th century is a severely underrated era when it comes to menswear. Early on in the domination of the three piece suit, but hardly indicative of the business attire of the future, fashion at this time looked to excess and drama. And with the ever present popularity of pirate lore, it really should be more popular! The Golden Age of Piracy is often cited as around 1650-1730s, but the era we know best in modern day comes just after the war ended in 1715. So many ships and sailors were left without permission to do the work they had been doing for years- raiding Spanish ships. It’s the time of Calico Jack, Mary Read, Anne Bonny, Blackbeard, Stede Bonnet, and more. As of late, a few of those names have been particular popular in modern media, with Our Flag Means Death growing a massive fandom. And though the show does not in any way claim to be historically accurate (it’s more like it’s full of historical easter eggs?), the influence of historical fashion is obvious. So, rather t