History Main / RegalRuff

A ruff is a frilly, circular collar that was very popular in Western UsefulNotes/{{Europe}}. It was invented some time in [[UsefulNotes/TheRenaissance the mid-1500s]] and reached its peak in [[TheCavalierYears the early 1600s]] before disappearing around the UsefulNotes/ThirtyYearsWar. Back then, they were mainly worn by upper-class individuals. Because said individuals were the only ones rich enough to hire artists, you see the trademark collar in so many portraits from that era. They tend to vary in width[[note]]The largest ones had a width of a foot or more and needed a wire frame to support them[[/note]] and thickness, but they are always pleated fabric collars. They are usually depicted in white[[note]] Actual ruffs were often dyed in pastel colours Elizabeth I of England went so far as to ban blue ruffs as part of her sumptuary laws--not (as usual) because the colour was unacceptable for the lower orders but rather because blue was (and is) the national colour of Scotland.[[/note]], although other colors, such as black or red, might appear in monochromatic costumes or on [[Literature/AlicesAdventuresInWonderland the Queen of Hearts]].

-->-- '''[[Literature/SecretSeries This Isn't What it Looks Like]]'''

A ruff is a frilly, circular collar that was very popular in Western UsefulNotes/{{Europe}}. It was invented some time in [[UsefulNotes/TheRenaissance the mid-1500s]] and reached its peak in [[TheCavalierYears the early 1600s]] before disappearing around the UsefulNotes/ThirtyYearsWar. Back then, they were mainly worn by upper-class individuals. Because said individuals were the only ones rich enough to hire artists, you see the trademark collar in so many portraits from that era. They tend to vary in width[[note]]The largest ones had a width of a foot or more and needed a wire frame to support them[[/note]] and thickness, but they are always pleated fabric collars. They are usually depicted in white[[note]] Actual ruffs were often dyed in pastel colors, and Elizabeth I went so far as to ban blue ruffs as part of her sumptuary laws.[[/note]], although other colors, such as black or red, might appear in monochromatic costumes or on [[Literature/AlicesAdventuresInWonderland the Queen of Hearts]].

Compare HighCollarOfDoom and MysticalHighCollar, a different kind of collar which only covers the back (and sometimes the sides) of the neck. ClassyCravat is similar. The wearer may possibly be CollaredByFashion.

* ''Anime/VoltesV'': Katherine Rii's ruff is pink and covers her shoulders. It also matches the pink ruffles under her blue dress and sleeves. She is a Boazanian noble who looks down on humans and assists [[EvilPrince Prince Heinel]]'s long list of war crimes, [[spoiler: but soon comes to realize that WarIsHell and tries to save both of them]].

A ruff is a frilly, circular collar that was very popular in Western Europe. It was invented some time in [[UsefulNotes/TheRenaissance the mid-1500s]] and reached its peak in [[TheCavalierYears the early 1600s]] before disappearing around the UsefulNotes/ThirtyYearsWar. Back then, they were mainly worn by upper-class individuals. Because said individuals were the only ones rich enough to hire artists, you see the trademark collar in so many portraits from that era. They tend to vary in width[[note]]The largest ones had a width of a foot or more and needed a wire frame to support them[[/note]] and thickness, but they are always pleated fabric collars. They are usually depicted in white[[note]] Actual ruffs were often dyed in pastel colors, and Elizabeth I went so far as to ban blue ruffs as part of her sumptuary laws.[[/note]], although other colors, such as black or red, might appear in monochromatic costumes or on [[Literature/AlicesAdventuresInWonderland the Queen of Hearts]].

%% This list of examples has been alphabetized. Please keep it that way!

* The Queen of Midland from ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'' has this ruff, as do a number of the more arrogant nobles.

* ''Radio/OurMissBrooks'': Walter Denton and Mr. Boynton have each worn ruffs when dressed in costume:
** Walter wears a ruff dressed as Romeo in "The Festival".
** Mr. Boynton's Prince Charming costume in "Oh Dem Gold Shoes" features a regal ruff.

* Queen Nakhta in ''VisualNovel/ThePiratesFate'' wears one, as part of her overall Elizabethan design. In one route she gets a new one, even bigger and more impractical, more resembling a cobra's hood than a fashion statement.

A ruff is a frilly, circular collar that was very popular in Western Europe. It was invented some time in [[UsefulNotes/TheRenaissance the 1500's]]. Back then, they were mainly worn by upper-class individuals. Because said individuals were the only ones rich enough to hire artists, you see the trademark collar in so many portraits from that era. They tend to vary in width[[note]]The largest ones had a width of a foot or more and needed a wire frame to support them[[/note]] and thickness, but they are always pleated fabric collars. They are usually depicted in white[[note]] Actual ruffs were often dyed in pastel colors, and Elizabeth I went so far as to ban blue ruffs as part of her sumptuary laws.[[/note]], although other colors, such as black or red, might appear in monochromatic costumes or on [[Literature/AlicesAdventuresInWonderland the Queen of Hearts]].

* Little John wears one in Disney's ''WesternAnimation/RobinHood'' while posing as Sir Reginald, Duke of Chutney. This guise allows him to hover near Prince John during the phony archery tournament meant to snare Robin Hood.

Although the ones wearing the ruffs will most likely find them fashionable, most others will find them ridiculous. As a result, ruffs in fiction are just as likely to be PlayedForLaughs as they are to be PlayedStraight.

->''"They did not call out to the crowd,but rather chattered and gossiped among themselves, teasing one another and cooling themselves with fans, their stiff ruffled collars moving only slightly in the breeze."''

->''"They did not call out to the crowd. but rather chattered and gossiped among themselves, teasing one another and cooling themselves with fans, their stiff ruffled collars moving only slightly in the breeze."''

It should be noted that the nobles weren't the only ones who wore ruffs. As they were becoming popular among the nobles, they were also being picked up by people who associated with them: Servants, priests, and ''especially'' performers. This is why Shakespearean actors are commonly portrayed wearing ruffs. However, it seems that none had taken as much of a liking to the ruff as clowns had. Once TheJester began wearing one, it became a standard feature of clown costumes and remains so to this day, long after ruffs fell out of fashion with the upper class.

* We've already noted that this trope is TruthInTelevision, but Queen Elizabeth I takes the cake. Compared to the other European ruffs, hers was somewhat bigger and stiffer, and it was imposed to her subjects.

Compare HighCollarOfDoom and MysticalHighCollar, a different kind of collar which only covers the back (and sometimes the sides) of the neck. ClassyCravat is similar. The wearer may possibly be CollardByFashion.