Cape May County's Wenchware - Clothing and Items for the Pirate Woman

"Behind every worthy scallywag is a proper wench!" This tongue-in-cheek interpretation of the old saying, "Behind every good man is a good woman" is only one part of the inspiration behind the creation of Wenchware - clothing, flags and more that celebrate the contemporary wench!

Pirate mania abounds, with pirate movies, documentaries, reality shows, clubs, magazines, books and clothing. Pirate merchandise is everywhere, for both kids and adults. Pirate flags, some authentic in design, are hot items, with designs including fun phrases along with the traditional skull and cross bones: "Time flies when you're having rum," "Pirate for hire-Specializing in Mayhem and Madness," and you've no doubt seen the popular phrase, "Surrender the Booty!"

But, why is it always about the pirates? What about the wenches, those servant girls often seen in the background of pirate gatherings? Aren't they the ones who serve the rum and surrender the booty? Aye!

Dressed in a cinched bustier, peasant shirt and flowing skirt, laughing and flirting, and serving a goblet of grog or a mug of rum, is the wench. Some associate the word "wench" with a negative connotation; however, the actual dictionary definition is primarily "a young peasant girl servant."

Wenchware, a company located in Cape May County, New Jersey, has developed a line of products designed to recognize and celebrate the "wench" in an amusing light, representing those who are young or young at heart, and who routinely serve: the waitresses, bartenders, mothers, hostesses, wives, nurses and other working women who spend a good portion of their time catering to the needs of others. Today's "wench" is not merely a servant, but a strong, sassy, independent female with a sense of humor.

Cheri Decker, creator of Wenchware, explains; "An interesting chain of events led to the Wenchware concept. Working as a bartender near a marina exposed me to not only a few self-proclaimed 'pirates,' but also to women that owned their own boats and businesses, and who were capable of being participants on the water in their own right. These are women like me who love boating and fishing. I thought the pirate flags I'd seen were funny, and looked online for a flag to fly that pertained to women, but with no luck. I began wondering why there wasn't anything for the girls. The artist in me took over...I felt compelled to create something 'wenchy'. It all started with a sketch on a note pad, and evolved into the logo of the bustier that is on the Wenchware line of products."

Whenever Cheri wears one of her designs, "Someone always chuckles," she notes. "They're a real conversation starter."

Wenchware's comfortable, high-quality T-shirt line is comprised of colors that compliment much of the pirate merchandise available - red, black and grey, and include fun phrases such as, "Wench Local 162, Specializing In Pirate Control".

The exclusive and original Wenchware merchandise line is all made in the USA. You can check out all their products on line at www.wenchware.info, and locally in Cape May County, New Jersey, you'll find Wenchware at Hoys 5 & 10 in Stone Harbor, Sea Gear in Cape May, and Pirates Arrrgh Us at 11th Street and the Boardwalk in Ocean City. Look for "The Wench" at upcoming pirate, Renaissance and motorcycle festivals around New Jersey.

Call Wenchware at 856-421-3041 or email wench@wenchware.info. After all, why should pirates have all the fun?