Pirate Ship Costume
Become the ultimate vessel of the high seas with this creative look.
The Pirate Ship costume is a highly creative, whimsical choice for Halloween and costume parties. Usually constructed as a wearable cardboard vessel or worn as a funny inflatable outfit, this look turns you into a sailing ship complete with sails, a mast, and a pirate captain at the helm. It is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that stands out in any crowd.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~120 min
- Budget
- $15–60
Try it on
See yourself as Pirate Ship
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Pirate Ship costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Pirate Ship costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Cardboard Box Ship Hull
A large, shallow rectangular cardboard box cut to fit around your waist with suspender straps.
DIY: Find a large appliance box, cut out the top and bottom, and shape the front into a pointed bow and the back into a flat stern.
Brown Acrylic Paint
Dark brown paint to coat the cardboard hull, giving it a realistic wooden plank texture.
DIY: Use brown wrapping paper or wood-grain contact paper to cover the cardboard instead.
Wooden Dowel Mast
A long wooden dowel or sturdy cardboard tube attached to the front of the ship to serve as the mast.
DIY: Use an empty wrapping paper roll painted brown.
White Fabric Sails
Square pieces of white felt, canvas, or heavy paper attached to the mast, featuring a painted black skull and crossbones.
DIY: Cut up an old white pillowcase or t-shirt and draw a Jolly Roger on it with a black marker.
Shoulder Straps
Heavy-duty black webbing or thick ribbon attached to the inside of the box to drape over your shoulders.
DIY: Use an old pair of suspenders or thick duct tape folded over itself.
Pirate Hat and Eye Patch
A classic black tricorn pirate hat and a matching black felt eye patch to wear yourself as the ship's captain.
DIY: Cut an eye patch out of black felt and tie it with black elastic string.
Striped Sailor Shirt
A black and white horizontally striped t-shirt to wear under the ship harness.
DIY: Wear a plain black or white t-shirt you already own.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Pirate Ship costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Cut the top and bottom flaps off your large cardboard box so it forms a sleeve you can stand inside.
- 2
Trim the front of the box into a pointed V-shape to resemble a ship's bow, and tape the seams securely with duct tape.
- 3
Paint the entire exterior of the cardboard box with brown paint, drawing horizontal lines to mimic wooden planks.
- 4
Securely duct-tape two thick nylon straps to the inside of the box, adjusting the length so the ship sits comfortably around your waist.
- 5
Attach a wooden dowel to the inside front of the bow using heavy-duty tape, then glue your white fabric sails to the dowel.
- 6
Draw or paint a black Jolly Roger skull and crossbones onto the center of the main sail.
- 7
Put on your striped shirt, slip the ship's straps over your shoulders, and top off the look with your pirate hat and eye patch.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup simple with some smudged black eyeliner or fake dirt on your cheeks for a rugged, wind-swept sailor look. Hair can be messy, loose, or tucked under the tricorn hat.
Pirate Ship for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person dresses as the Pirate Ship while the other dresses as a classic Pirate Captain steering the vessel.
- group
- A fleet of pirate ships accompanied by crew members, a kraken, and a treasure chest.
- kids
- Use a smaller cardboard box decorated with washable markers, or opt for a lightweight inflatable pirate ship costume.
- Plus size
- Ensure the cardboard box is wide enough for a comfortable fit, or use flexible foam board instead of rigid cardboard.
- pet
- A small cardboard ship hull designed to fit over a dog's harness, making them look like they are sailing.
Tips
- Keep the cardboard ship lightweight so it is easy to carry around all night.
- Make sure the width of the ship allows you to easily pass through standard doorways.
- Cut circular portholes on the sides of the ship and draw yellow cannons peeking out for extra detail.
- Wear comfortable sneakers since you will be carrying the weight of the ship on your shoulders.
Pirate Ship costume FAQ
- How do you make a pirate ship costume out of cardboard?
- Cut a large box into a boat shape with a pointed bow, paint it brown to look like wood, attach shoulder straps to wear it, and add a wooden dowel with paper sails.
- Is a pirate ship costume hard to walk in?
- It can be bulky. Keep the box relatively narrow and ensure the straps hold it high enough so your legs can move freely.
- What should I wear under a cardboard pirate ship?
- A simple striped sailor shirt, dark pants, and comfortable boots or sneakers work best to complete the pirate theme.
Did you know? Wearable cardboard box costumes became highly popular in the mid-20th century as a budget-friendly, highly creative way for kids to build their own unique Halloween outfits.