The Trouble With the Ruff Collar
The Trouble With the Ruff Collar: Fashion, Food, and the Follies of Style
When we think of historical fashion, the ruff collar—a giant, elaborate, starched frill encircling the neck—is one of the most immediately recognizable symbols of Renaissance and Elizabethan style. Worn by royalty, aristocrats, and anyone wishing to make a statement, the ruff collar was as much a display of wealth and social status as it was a fashion accessory.
But behind the elegance and extravagance, the ruff collar came with its own set of troubles—some amusing, some downright annoying. Let’s take a closer look at the awkward reality of living with the ruff collar.
1. Eating: An Unexpected Challenge
The most notorious trouble with the ruff collar was dining. Imagine sitting down to a feast wearing a ring of stiff, towering fabric around your neck. Simple acts like bringing a spoon to your mouth became a logistical puzzle. Historical accounts and portraits show that some diners needed special, elongated spoons just to reach past their enormous collars. If the food was messy—forget about it! The risk of soiling your expensive ruff was high, and cleaning it was no easy task.
2. Stiffness and Discomfort
Ruff collars were made by pleating and starching linen to an almost architectural degree. The result was stiff and rigid, often causing discomfort. Turning your head, resting, or even speaking animatedly could be tricky. Some collars measured over a foot in diameter, making close contact with others (or even seeing to the side) awkward.
3. Maintenance Mayhem
Keeping a ruff collar looking pristine was an ordeal. They required careful laundering and re-starching, sometimes with elaborate irons designed just for this purpose. Servants or professional “ruff-makers” were often employed by the wealthy to maintain these collars. A stained or wilted ruff could be a social embarrassment.
4. Symbol of Status and Excess
Ironically, the very difficulties of the ruff collar made it desirable among the elite. If you could afford the trouble, you could afford the status. The inconvenience became a badge of privilege—after all, only someone with servants and leisure time could manage such a garment.
5. Decline and Legacy
By the 17th century, the ruff collar fell out of favor, replaced by more practical fashions. Its legacy lives on in theater, costume parties, and historical dramas—often as a symbol of pomp and impracticality.
The ruff collar is a perfect example of how fashion can defy practicality in pursuit of style and status. Next time you struggle with a fussy accessory, remember those who once needed a foot-long spoon just to have dinner in their finest ruff.
