ruffs

Ruff Times

In my new book I have a section about ruff collars—those accordion-like, cartwheel-shaped gizmos that were in style from about 1530 to 1630. That’s a long time to be in fashion, expecially considering how incredibly ungainly and impractical (not to… Read More

Arsenic and Gold Lace

During Tudor times, huge starched collars called ruffs were all the rage. They must have been miserable to wear. Special elongated spoons had to be invented to allow ruff-wearers to eat. During the reign of James I (who succeeded Elizabeth… Read More