Researching period costumes

[mygrimmbrother]

I'm doing a strip for 'Back From The Depths', which is set in 18th-19th century. Does anyone know any good resources for good, clear historical clothing references? Every time I type in pirate or smuggler or buccaneer, I get swamped with awful photos of chumps posing for cheap costume party companies doing their best Johnny Depp impression.

[Kerrin]

There's this place Grimm, The Costumer's Manifesto, which you've probably seen already. What about c.18-19th portraiture and crowd pieces, background characters and whatnot.

[Mike Gloady]

I know that bookshops and libraries would be a better bet than the net (but that's true of nearly all research).

Most largish stores will have a fashion department usually located near the art department - rifle a few of those to get a hint and then you can direct your search on the web far easier.  Larger libraries may even keep collections of stuff like that.  

If you keep an eye out you can find reasonable reference works on the subject rather cheaply - clearance bins at bookshops and online are good ways to go.  I've got a sweet general tome that's pretty good starting point, but I don't seem to be able to lay my hands on it just now.  PM me tomorrow and I'll have found it.  

You'll need to supplement all this stuff with multiple sources but as I said above, that's research.  You'll need to do more research than you think you need and don't try to cram in every last fact or detail you've come across.  And of course, if you need further help the hivemind is mighty.  

That's my opinion, but everyone else feel free to chip in.  Good luck.  

[Emperor]

I've got a few bits and bobs bookmarked for general research purposes on 18th-19th century fashion:

http://www.fashion-era.com/the_victorian_era.htm
http://harpersbazaar.victorian-ebooks.com/index.html
http://19thcentury.wordpress.com/
http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/gentlemans.php
http://www.sutlers.co.uk/acatalog/ZULU_AND_BOER_WARS_LATE_VICTORIAN_1879_1901.html

Is it specifically pirates and bucaneers you want?

The only pirate-specific link I've got to hand is this, it might be what you are looking for:
http://beej.us/pirates/index.html

Especially this:
http://beej.us/pirates/pirates.html

You might want to have a nose through these especially checking to see what they use as sources (and any external links) as that might lead you to useful books you could dig out of the library but also check the sources for contemporary woodcuts and prints as they are clearly public domain and you might run across a stash of useful images:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_pirates
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piracy_in_the_Caribbean
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Age_of_Piracy

If there is anything specific then let us know.

[Emperor]

There's this place Grimm, The Costumer's Manifesto, which you've probably seen already.

Cracking link - I'd not ee it before but I'll be stashing that one for future reference.

[mygrimmbrother]

Gentlemen, I'm indebted once again.