Fleur-de-Lis pirate eyepatch handmade leather eye patch Halloween masquerade costume Mardi Gras heraldry

An emblem of royalty, region, and religion, the fleur-de-lis is an elegant heraldic symbol for the pirate with refined tastes. This quality handmade leather eye patch will have you sailing the high seas in high style.

​Sometimes deeply significant and sometimes decorative, the stylized lily or iris motif has been used by nations and cities (notably France and New Orleans), faiths (notably Catholicism), military, scouting organizations, sports teams, designers, on many coats of arms, and on maps as a compass rose pointing north.

The fleur-de-lis is sometimes found in different colors -- and I can paint it that way! In this listing you have a choice between a yellow fleur on a royal blue background, or a silver fleur on a red background. Send me a note if you want different colors.  

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This handmade eye patch is made of durable hardened leather and can be worn over either the left or right eye. Each eye patch fastens with lightly waxed black cotton cords, tied with sturdy sliding knots which are fully adjustable to fit men, women, and teens. I opted not to use elastic, as it can tend to stretch and wear out quickly -- also because I just don't like the way it looks and feels. The knotted cotton cords look and feel more stylish and professional, in my semi-humble opinion. 

Please use caution and common sense when wearing an eye patch, as it can cause loss of depth perception and balance (and, of course, you lose a large portion of your range of vision as well). Do not wear a costume eyepatch while driving to the Halloween masquerade (or anywhere else). This is not a medical eyepatch. Please get your doctor's approval if you intend to use this over or in lieu of a medical eye patch.

Mythbusters did a piece about eye patches which showed the probable reason the eye patch is such an iconic wardrobe staple for pirate costumes. It's not because pirates were always losing an eye, but because the eyepatch helped them see better when they had to go from a bright sunny deck to the darkness below decks. They simply switched the patch to their other eye when they went below, so that the eye that had been shielded did not have to adjust to the darkness (which can take up to half an hour). 

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Sold out? Want different colors? Have this item Made to Order, specially for you! (This link will initiate an email to discuss details with the artist.)