On Thu, 10 Mar 2005 11:08:40 -0700, Howard Brazee <howard at brazee.net> wrote: > The characteristic of pirates that I find fascinating which I don't see in > enough fantsy is the issue of their clothing. The reason that pirates > wore all that colorful clothing was because they could. Back on the > mainland (and islands), part of the class structure was enforced by > clothing standards. You did *not* dress above your class. Nor did you > dress below your class. > > This control was pervasive and effective. But it was flouted by the > pirates who flaunted their attire. > Absolutly! They also wore different clothes on land than they did on the sea. Pretty much what a captain is seen wearing in movies, is what they looked like on land: floofy and fancy. The ones that are concidered crew, dress the same in all moveies (except Pirates of the Carabien), which is kinda what they would wear at sea: they didn't get them caught in the riggings and such. -C