Some things boggle the mind. Gasparilla, for one. Perfectly sane adults — lawyers and business owners no less — parade around like drunken chorus singers at the drama club’s cast party for Pirates of Penzance. When else does your actuary wear an eye patch?

Listen, it’s cool. Sometimes, you just need to rock a tricorn hat and get your drink on. But if you’re heading down Bayshore Boulevard this year, know there is an alternative to a Captain Jack Sparrow costume from Spencer’s.

Letitia told us about the cool finds at some South Tampa boutiques. Aye, har be some other tips on how to dress like a subtle pirate.

Show your stripes
It’s a fine line between spirited sophisticate and Smee from Peter Pan. Sport a striped T-shirt in red or navy blue, like this one available at Old Navy for less than $20. Or if you want to fight off the January coastal air, opt for a striped cardigan. Leave it unbuttoned with a dark camisole down below. It’ll break the horizontal effect and trick judgey scallywags into thinking you’re slim.

Have peasant presence
On this day when you will drink gallons of pirate grog, do yourself a favor and wear a peasant blouse. Not only will you channel the breezy look of Long John Silver at fashion week, you’ll have ample room for the inevitable beer belly. Check casual fashion mainstays like Banana Republic for the pricey yet pretty tunic shown above at $69.59, and American Eagle for this more reasonable one for $39.50.

Find precious booty
There’s nothing more tragic than sad costume boots that strap on over shoes. Don’t. Do. It. Get real boots, on sale everywhere as winter ends. Check Aldo at Westfield Countryside and Nine West at Westfield Citrus Park and Westshore Plaza for boots up to 70 percent off. Look for embellishments like the buckles and folds on these $24.49 babies from Aldo, but keep boots relatively flat to manage that brisk 87 blocks from your car to the parade route.

Jump through hoops
Surely some devoted krewe members will love a rhinestone skull and crossbones belt buckle. But if you’d rather not go there with a 10-foot mast, grab some gold bangle bracelets, hoop earrings and long chain necklaces. Forever 21 is a veritable treasure chest (see what we did there?) of accessories priced so low, you won’t feel guilty about piling on. Wear them sparingly the rest of the year.

Sport a peg leg
Just kidding! Hah! Gotcha! Who would ever ... Oh no ... There goes our tax attorney, and he’s hobbling. Happy Gasparilla.

Deal Diva Stephanie

Photos: Old Navy, Aldo, Banana Republic, Forever 21