Age of Sail/Piratecore Look Book

I don’t think it could get more niche than this, folks. But that’s why I’m here! To help out the other 20 very specific people in this world who are drawn to pirates and that nautical era that we know as the 'age of sail'. Let’s take a closer look into this oceanic state of mind, shall we?

Adventures with Hornblower

Hornblower is a historical fiction book saga based on a naval officer in the Napoleonic Wars, so, of course, I had to recreate this classic age of sail character. By the way, William Bush is my real favorite, and if I had the chance, I’d be having adventures with both of them.

I would say that the jacket really makes the outfit in this scenario. With the fit and those gold nautical buttons, you really feel like a true British sailor. Master & Commander was another inspiration for this look.

Free Sailor

“She must find a boat and sail in it. No guarantee of shore. Only a conviction that what she wanted could exist, if she dared find it.” - Jeanette Winterson

This is where Piratecore comes into play. This look is really all about adventure. No rules here, thank you. You’re a free spirit, or sailor if you will. And the only thing you’ll follow is the sea.

In my mind, all you need here is a good flowy blouse with boots as long as they’ll make them. Let the wind tousle your hair, and let your eyeliner get as messy as it wants. A good copy of Treasure Island wouldn’t hurt either.

Nautical Wonderland

“She is made up of depths even the ocean couldn’t fathom.” - Jessica Katoff

Freshwater pearls, engraved seashells, and wildflowers found by the shore. You wander into a grove of some sort where moss lines the walls and fencing tries to keep it away. This is your nautical wonderland.

This verges on the line of cottagecore, but I like to think of it as some peasant dress worn by the girls who would be seen by the docks of a small Scottish village looking for treasures and talking to the local fishermen.

Granted, I had limited scenery to work with for this particular aesthetic as I don’t live anywhere near the ocean. But maybe one doesn’t have to, to be close in spirit, or just to incorporate little details.

So let us all dream of the sea, maybe living in a cottage or a lighthouse, or better yet - out on a ship! Let us wonder about the mysteries that the deep blue holds and how many secrets are waiting to be uncovered right under our fingertips. Most importantly, let’s dress as though we have already seen it all.