Tudor and Elizabethan Ruffs
the wearing of a ruff defines the Elizabethan age. We did see ruffs during Elizabeth's fathers time, but they was just a small frills that surrounded a tall collar. In the 1560's the ruff had evolved into a large separate article of clothing tied on by strings that was introduced to England from France.
"Her Majesty's pleasure is that no blue starch shall be used or worn by any of her Majesty's subjects, since blue
was the colour of the flag of Scotland "
The year 1615 saw the beginning of the end of the large starched ruff and by 1640 it was the falling ruff that was
becoming more popular.
Interestingly, between 1570 and 1625 the fan shaped ruff with an open neck was only worn by unmarried women.