Starch behind the shapeSourced
Those broad folded collars needed help to stand out
Historical ruffs were stiffened with starch, which allowed wider collars to retain their shape. Later examples could be separate garments, washed and starched again before their elaborate folds were reset. The circle framing a face depended on maintenance as well as fabric.
The impressive outline came with work behind it.
Summary / translation: Unbubly · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Ruff (clothing) · Wikimedia contributors
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Reviewed: 2026-10-05