Fur products have accompanied humans for thousands of years. If we recall the history of the development of civilization, we can safely admit that these clothes were the very first. In ancient times, a fur cape not only helped to keep warm in the cold, but also identified its owner as a successful and brave hunter. Throughout human history, fur products have not gone out of fashion. The same wardrobe items often triumphantly returned after a short period of oblivion. This happened with the boa: it is difficult to accurately calculate how many times the fashion for it returned. But one thing is clear - today this exquisite accessory is back in trend.
But don’t forget that a boa is not an ordinary wardrobe item. You need to understand exactly where it is appropriate, be able to wear it, and select details. Our article will not only tell you about all the subtleties, but will also tell you how to sew this wonderful accessory with your own hands.
A little historical background
During the Renaissance, the popularity of boas among noble gentlemen was enormous. Moreover, fashionistas of both sexes wore this accessory with pleasure.
The beginning of the 19th century was marked by another boom in boas. The main center of the renewed fashion for this accessory was Paris. Its residents have always been distinguished by their great love for bohemian and aristocratic things.
In those days, fur boas were more often worn by respectable ladies. Such neck decorations were not common among young girls. It was believed that the boa emphasized status. Products made from arctic fox, ermine and mink were lined with expensive fabric, pearls, and cut glass and crystal beads. Often the entire skin was used for sewing; even the paws with claws, muzzles and tails were preserved.
In Russia, fur boas became widespread in the 1920s. It was customary to wear them not only with evening dresses, but also over a coat, as a collar.
The harsh post-war years also affected the fashion world. Attitudes towards the boa have changed a lot. This item was associated with old times, when one could afford excesses. But in a country that had survived the war, there was no place for such delights.
The luxury and romance of a boa
A boa (gorgette) is a well-dressed fur thrown over a coat or dress . Usually this is the whole skin of a fur-bearing animal.
In many films set in the first half of the 20th century , ladies sport boas. These women look elegant and romantic. But one immediately gets the impression that this is retro style.
A rather vulgar joke about an Armenian radio, a boa and a bicycle has only one funny moment. A boa, of course, is not only not a sports item, but not even part of an everyday wardrobe.
Moreover, these days it is not always appropriate to wear such a thing to a social reception. You need to understand what level the event is coming up and what type of clothing is recommended for it. It is important that such luxury does not turn out to be ridiculous and pretentious.
Although in the TV series “Sink or Lost” (2004), the heroine of Ioanna Khmelevskaya rides a bicycle and wears a boa!
The stylish lady writer Polanskaya , according to the story, values chic and originality in clothes. And he is not at all afraid of the Danish “greens”, who, of course, are the enemies of natural fur items.
Boa on the podium
It is believed that Dior and Valentino brought this accessory back into fashion. This happened in the early 2000s. Today, designers are not trying to perceive the boa solely as a retro-style accessory that helps to add certain features to the image. Modern interpretations of this wonderful wardrobe detail may well fit into the current everyday style.
Boas appear in collections of interseasonal and winter clothing almost every year. Moreover, love for this accessory is shown not only by the best fashion houses, but also by youth brands, for example, Zara and Asos. Of course, furs of different quality are used for different price categories.
Boa care
The rules for caring for boas are the same as for fur products (fur coats, for example).
- Do not dry a wet boa on a radiator or other thermal objects.
- The already dried boa must be combed along the direction of the pile. It is best to use a brush with metal teeth.
- Fur that has gotten into clumps should be wiped with an alcohol solution and then combed with a brush.
- It is best to use a professional dry cleaning service to clean your boa.
Author: Maria Mineeva
Materials
According to the vast majority of fashionistas, a boa is a fur decoration. But there are many other options. Boas today are sewn from plush, crocheted and knitted, and felted from wool. Fur yarn is very popular and is also often used to make boas.
However, products made from luxurious natural fur remain favorites. No wonder they are considered real luxury items. The cost also depends on the type of fur chosen. A boa made of mink, silver fox, chinchilla or sable is sometimes very expensive, because to work with such noble furs they also choose the appropriate decor: expensive fittings, lining fabric, lace. Youth models are often sewn from raccoon, rabbit, beaver, and fox.
FABRIC BOATS
This type of boa is, in most cases, decorative. Fabric boas are also full of creativity and can be created from different materials and accessories. For all seasons and occasions, craftsmen come up with unusual and intricate models.
Current shades
If you're looking for a super-current accessory, it makes sense to focus on fashion trends. Today, both rich shades and restrained natural colors are relevant. Many people prefer furs in the form in which nature created them.
When choosing a boa color, you should also consider the color type. Black fur suits many sultry brunettes, and fiery red beauties dressed in lush fox fur can look bright and impressive. But those with platinum hair should choose something more expressive than natural-colored arctic fox fur.
The boa should also be in harmony with the color of the clothing. There are many options: a fur accessory can either completely match the tone of the outfit or contrast with it.
What to wear with a boa?
Everyone knows that fashion is capricious and extremely changeable. Therefore, if previously boas were worn exclusively with elegant things and outerwear, now these accessories can be combined with everyday things.
Wedding and long evening dresses, complemented by a boa, are a classic. If a woman has only classic, strictly cut dresses in her wardrobe, then it is also appropriate to complement them with a fur scarf, instantly turning them into a festive and elegant outfit.
A boa is a universal attribute these days, equally suitable for a classic coat, a down jacket, or a jacket. The main thing is that there is no fur in the decoration of the outerwear, whether it matches the boa or not is not important.
This accessory can be complemented with knitted jumpers, dresses, sweaters, and tunics. Jeans, trousers, skirts are also possible. Under no circumstances should you wear a boa with sportswear and shoes.
As for jewelry and costume jewelry, they are acceptable in festive and evening combinations. On a weekday in the office, pearl beads or even a gold chain coupled with a fur stole will look too pretentious.
It is desirable that the fur contrasts with the hair color. However, this does not prohibit at the same time choosing a boa to match the clothes.
Casual style
The following photo allows you to imagine how much this accessory can transform even the simplest outfit.
Decoration made of luxurious fur adds a touch of sophistication to the look, making the look more expensive and stylish. Only a confident girl with good taste can decide on such a move.
A boa is a spectacular wardrobe detail that can be considered self-sufficient. There is no need to complement it with other neck jewelry. A muff, especially a fur one, will also overload the look. However, it is quite acceptable to add some fur elements, but they should be small. For example, you can maintain your style with a small hair ornament or a ponytail keychain attached to your bag.
The boa goes well with knitted items, making the look even more cozy. Many modern fashionistas combine fur neckpieces with leather and denim jackets.
Boa - a fashion accessory
Such fashion masters as Valentino and Christian Dior have made a truly iconic item out of the boa. And then this piece of clothing will cost much less than a fur coat, but looks no less luxurious. There is only one condition: the fur must be very expensive: sable, mink or broadtail.
An elegant boa is an excellent decoration for evening or wedding dresses. The same sable, mink or arctic fox will perfectly set off elegant, strict things. The chinchilla and the painted fox will look good together with catchy, bright, and not at all puritanical outfits.
The most important day
Often a wedding is called that way. Many brides choose a boa for their formal look. It was once believed that she must be white, but today this is not necessary. Bright accents are popular in wedding fashion. A sash, flowers, stones in jewelry, shoes, a bolero or a boa can be of any color: chocolate, purple, emerald. Such a move in combination with a snow-white dress allows you to make the image unforgettable.
However, traditional wedding colors are no less relevant. It is unlikely that a white boa made of noble fur will ever lose its relevance.
How to sew a boa?
The boa pattern does not have to be made to measure. You can simply cut out a rectangular strip of fur, sew on the lining and decorate the clasp. Such models are very common and look great, despite the ease of manufacture.
You can go another way. The following pattern will allow you to sew a boa collar. You can experiment with the size, each time cutting out a template of the paper product and applying it to your neck.
If you are cutting from a whole skin, first cut it lengthwise along the line of the spine. Lay out the pattern elements so that the direction of fur growth approximately corresponds to the indicated arrow.
Make sure you have a decent lining. For plain fur, you can choose silk fabric with a pattern.
A boa is an accessory that will be relevant for more than one season. With proper care and careful wearing, it will decorate and delight you for a very long time.
Quotes from literary works
Writers cannot ignore the era of high society ladies who showed off their outfits in the company of theater lovers. Daria Dontsova did not live at that time, but allowed herself to remember the popular fur collar:
“The dress is very open, it’s better to wear a boa. Don’t argue, you’ll suffer once, but you’ll outshine everyone,”
That's what her heroine said in Winter Summer and Spring.
“He ridiculed the artist who painted a fox in such a way that it immediately became clear: his wife’s boa served as his model,” -
This is what Ilya Ilf wrote with humor in “The Twelve Chairs.”
Unsurpassed Lyudmila Markovna Gurchenko / blitz.plus
And this expression once again proves how the ladies did not use the boa for warmth.
“Moreover, her neck and shoulders, as if from prying eyes, were covered by a luxurious ermine boa, despite the fact that the house was warm.” (Jurgen Thorwald "Empire of Surgeons").
Fashionistas were willing to pay a lot of money for a stylish piece of jewelry that allowed them to wear dresses with deep necklines, since a boa could advantageously open or cover exposed areas on the body. You can read about this in the work “The Burning Lamp” by O. Henry:
“The purple dress doesn’t fit her well, her hat feather is four inches too long, but her ermine muff and boa cost twenty-five dollars.”
Ladies in boas look amazing in old photos
