Description
In Elizabethan England, the ruff collar served as more than just decoration; it was a distinct symbol of social standing worn by both gentlemen and ladies at court. Originally a simple linen band encircling the neck, it gradually transformed into a broad, starched ruffle that framed the face and extended outward, signaling the wearer’s rank and wealth during the Renaissance. The goffered frill was carefully pleated and frequently trimmed with lace, with some collars becoming so large and weighty that they needed pins and threads to maintain their shape throughout the day.
This Elizabethan Ruff reproduces that iconic form using a plastic stiffener to preserve the characteristic “crazy eight” shape. Made from either silver poly blend taffeta or stiff white cotton fabric, it offers flexibility and adjustability, fastening securely around the neck with three snap fasteners for a steady fit.
Fun fact: Elizabethan ruffs were often laundered with starch and painstakingly ironed,a process so demanding that noblewomen sometimes employed entire teams solely to care for their elaborate neckwear!
