Men's Second Style

The Pirate of the Prairie

Pirates can be a bit harder to spot on land.  They tend to dress very differently than do sea pirates.  Some might argue that a better term would be highwayman, but I’d have to argue back that there are no highways across the prairie–just the rails that mark the old paths of the great iron horse.  Land pirates have the same base motives as their seagoing brethren, though:  they’re happy to assist with parting you from your money, or from anything they might feel they need more than you do.  All in all, they’re much the same, certainly a bit dustier, and no more welcome as unexpected guests than those traveling under the Jolly Roger.  And their lives can be just as lonely.

Broder Kubrick of BroGear has created a line of accessories perfect for equipping yourself for piracy of any grungy variety.  The Pirate Pistol Set (L$190) is a fantastically detailed, lethally outfitted gunbelt that any gunslinger would be proud to carry.  Look closely–in addition to the beautiful pistols on either hip, you’ll see a trio of incendiary devices handily at the ready as well as storage pouches good for matches or other small necessities.  The set also includes a single pistol for more discreet wear on the hip, without the belt.

Rugged footwear is called for when tramping across the wide open spaces and leaping on and off trains, heavily laden with spoils, quite possibly at, shall we say, unscheduled stops.  Broder’s new Sparrows Boots come in Black and Brown as shown here (L$299 a pair or L$500 for both colors) and include as a bonus the Pirate Buckles I’m wearing strapped on my legs.  The well-worn boots have a beautiful distressed leather texture, beat-up metal toe caps, buckled straps for a secure fit, and rolled-over tops with intricate prim lacing.  If you remember our past coverage of Broder’s designs, you won’t be surprised to hear me say that, like all his other accessories, these boots are highly detailed, meticulously constructed, indeed they are things of beauty and joys to behold–they really have to be seen to be appreciated.

For protection during the inevitable hand-to-hand combat (and, let’s face, the coolness factor), Broder’s Pirate Cuffs (L$190) are something of a must.  The thick leather will prevent slashes from blades foolishly wielded against you in vain defense of coin or other treasure you intend to abscond with.  After all, if they can’t keep you from taking it, they don’t really deserve to keep it, do they?  Anyway, that’s the way you learned it–at your mother’s own knee, God rest her soul–and it makes more sense that way than any other.

More equipment than you ever knew you needed, whether you’re a pirate or other form of rebel.  Equip yourself at BroGear (Isle of Tharen 61, 175, 33).

Photographed at Far Away (Dreamworld North 227, 96, 30).