Ruff Ruff!

I’m always interested in the revival and re-interpretation of historical costume. I mean beyond the oft recycled decades of the 20th century. I mean even further back than the other often-referenced epoch, Victorians. Much further back. Let’s take it all the way back to Elizabethan times like this girl on Facehunter and her lace neck ruff. The beauty of the neck ruff is you can either take it by itself and play it simply like this girl has done by pairing it with a simple black dress or you can just play up to its full dramatic potential like the Harajuku girl in cos-play.

Of course, I doubt many people would be able to handle the foot-wide ruffs that the Elizabethans at once point, considered the height of fashion but the ones available now in the 21st century are perfectly acceptable.  Why not incorporate it into everyday wear? A ruff with an v-necked long tank and skinny jeans.  A ruff in addition to a lacey dress to give the impression of an all-in-one ensemble. A ruff with a square necked trapeze short dress.  Or just a ruff with anything where the decollatage is very bare and has the ability to carry it off.

The Very Merry Streamstress offers a selection in different sizes and fabrics. Simple white would be the most authentic….

… but a simpler pattern in red is very striking indeed…

The Historical Costume Company sells various ex-theatre ruffs. I always knew I should have sneakily raided the school costume and props department.

Of if you’re semi-skilled at sewing, you can have a go at making one in a desired un-Elizabethan fabric and colour (hot pink satin?) by following this guide. It even has a handy Ruff Calculator. I’ve yet to don a ruff yet but I have my eye on it as another Blast from the Past accessory to revive (gloves have already well and truly arrived…).

**EDIT** Just remembered a very recent catwalk ruff encounter (that wasn’t an intended pun!) from the Osman Yousefzada SS07 show which I attended last September. The ruffs added this ethereal touch that yes, on the long-limbed gazelle-like models is stunning. I’m of the average neck-length ilk so can’t really complain too much, but as with a lot of Blast for the Past accessories, it’s all about the attitude in how you wear it.

25 comments

  1. I’m all for the glove revival, but ruffs? I really hope the ruff doesn’t catch on. At least for the sake of red itchy necks.

  3. wow, this makes me think of a design I drew in 3rd class (or something), for a school project. I always like ‘historical’ influences and love the ruff. (Too bad it wouldn’t suit me since my neck is quite short)

  4. i agree with ava. my neck is ridiculously short. so is my legs… ah the curse of shortness.

  5. I’d wear the ruff in a heartbeat, but then I’m all about historical costume where possible. I think it’s no different from wearing a scarf around your neck really. I suspect the inside is soft enough not to be scatchy? Either way, when I saw her on FH it made me think about ruffs all over again.

  6. i’d like to wear a modified one. i rather like the feathered ones pictured as well. ruffs will automatically remind me of chris corner. always good.

  7. i love it on that woman from facehunter. it looks totally dressed down and not at all costume-y.

  9. I’ve always loved a bit of ruff – although gareth pugh’s looks for winter 2006 were a little outr√© even for my. plus I just think ruffs should be white, and nothing else.
    I have tried to work the look with a piecrust-frilled topshop blouse. although someone once told me I looked like louis xvi. only two centuries out…
    love,
    Alex.

  10. ttp://img.interia.pl/elledeco/nimg/PAWEL_GROBELNY_100043661.jpg

  11. I can’t show you here a link to a work of polish designer Pawel Grobelny – his project (awarded by polish elle deco)is chair made in the shape of neck ruff – it’s called “neckchairs”…

  13. Ok I must take back my first comment – the feather ruffs look amazing! Although I’m a feather-freak, sorry birds.

  14. They bring out my fear of clowns. If I saw someone wearing it on the street, I may yelp and run the other way.

  21. well yes i know this is most likely a verry old blog but i adore the idea of wearing a neck ruff 🙂 im so glad i found this, thank you for the site, i shall be attempting a modern take on the ruff sometime soon..if you see a smallish girl wearing complete black and white with a ruff on, it may be me!
    ohh yes it sure does remind me of chris corner, and im in love with him so its all good :)!

  23. they are adequate.
    although
    they all seem a bit sloppy and slouchy and could use a great deal of starch

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