They escape, sporting bits of pirate costumes (3,7)

I believe the answer is:

eye patches

'bits of pirate costumes' is the definition.
(pirates are often shown wearing eye patches)

'they escape sporting' is the wordplay.
'sporting' indicates an anagram.
'they'+'escape'='theyescape'
'theyescape' anagrammed gives 'EYE-PATCHES'.

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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