LONG CLOTHES - ORIGIN

LONG CLOTHES


‘Long clothes’ was a derogatory term for a landlubber. Sailors clothing had to be reasonably tight to ensure it didn’t get in the way whilst climbing the rigging or hauling ropes and chains (and especially during battle). Landsmen could quite happily wear baggy trousers, coats and stockings. Officers also were also quite a liberty to enjoy this luxury but those who did were not respected by the crew hence the traditional portrayal of bad ships captains and pirates in flamboyant dress.