Furs and articles made of them have always been considered luxury goods. At all times, a woman wrapped in a fur coat or mantle, in most cases, was attributed by the public to representatives of the upper strata of the population who have high incomes and a noble origin.
Today, various fur accessories are again at the peak of popularity. Firstly, they perfectly fulfill their main purpose - they warm in the cold, and, secondly, give the female image a charm and presentability. Today, one of the most exquisite fur products is a boa, without which no secular fashionista can dress.
What is a boa?
This accessory is a kind of wrap in the form of a scarf or stole, which is usually worn on the shoulders. However, there are also shortened models that are wrapped around the neck in the form of a clamp.
A boa is a fur product that is either sewn from pieces or made from a whole skin of an animal. Recently, crocheted from strips of fur or fur yarn of a boa have become common.
Where did the boa come from?
If you start from the very beginning, you can recall that furs were the first clothes of primitive people. Of course, in those days no one knew the word “boa,” but the fact remains - the habit of warming ourselves with the skins of animals hunted in hunting came to us from ancient times.
In fact, the boa (a photo of the very first models can be seen just below) began to show itself as a separate accessory in the Renaissance. Then they were worn by both men and women, but only from the estate of the nobility.
In general, the word "boa" is a French term, derived from "gorge" and translated into Russian means "neck" or "throat". However, the French themselves are more likely to call these fur accessories “boa”.
The beginning of the 19th century was a period of active introduction of fur boas into the secular fashion. This happened with the filing of Parisians, known for all their love for bohemian and aristocratic gizmos. At the same time, it was impossible to find such an accessory on young girls - a boa made of fur of valuable breeds of animals (ermine, sable, arctic fox) was considered the prerogative of exclusively adult married ladies.
Products were decorated with beads, crystals, pearls. Most of the models were a completely tanned skin with a tail, head and paws. Even teeth and claws were left, but the eyes were replaced with valuable stones. Such boas were fabulously expensive, and in some families they were even passed on from grandmothers to daughters and granddaughters, or even kept as a relic.
In Russia, boas on the streets were more or less often seen in the 1920s. They began to be sewn from different fur of a slightly lower value and worn instead of a collar on a coat. However, not everyone could afford this accessory.
In the post-war period, the boas were forgotten for a long time. No, they didn’t stop wearing them, but they became something of a kind of archaism, a relic of the past, pre-revolutionary times. And only in the early 2000s. the world’s catwalks again featured familiar accessories. Now a boa is a real hit, equated to a classic.
What are boas made of?
As already mentioned, a typical boa is made of fur. For these purposes, fox, mink, chinchilla, raccoon, arctic fox, sable, rabbit skins are suitable. Also in stores you can often find products from faux fur, not much different from the present. Feather and feather boas look quite original. The raw material for them is swan fluff or marabu fluff.
Anything can be used to decorate an accessory: lace, ribbons, silk, brooches, pompons, tassels. And the variety of shades can be completely confusing: modern methods of dyeing fur allow you to get almost the entire spectrum - from warm to cold colors.
The modern boa, the photo that is presented in this article, today is a completely self-sufficient accessory that does not require additions and at the same time is able to transform any outfit.
What to wear a boa with?
Everyone knows that fashion is capricious and unusually changeable. Therefore, if earlier boas were worn exclusively with elegant clothes and outerwear, now these accessories can be combined with everyday things.
Wedding and long evening toilets, complemented by a boa - this is a classic. If in a woman’s wardrobe there are only classic dresses of strictly cut, it is also appropriate to supplement them with a fur scarf, instantly turning them into a festive and elegant outfit.
A boa is now a universal attribute, equally suitable for both a classic coat, a down jacket, and a jacket. The main thing is that fur should not be present in the decoration of outerwear, uniform with a boa or not - it does not matter.
This accessory can be complemented with knitted jumpers, dresses, sweaters, tunics. Jeans, trousers, skirts are also not excluded. In no case should you wear a boa with sportswear and shoes.
As for jewelry and 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 color of the hair. However, this does not prohibit at the same time picking up a boa to match the clothes.
How to make a boa yourself?
If at home there is unclaimed fur or skin, then there is nothing easier than to sew a stylish accessory yourself. A do-it-yourself boa can also serve as a wonderful birthday present to a relative or beloved girlfriend. In addition to fur, you will also need lining fabric and matching threads, needles and scissors.
Cut a rectangular strip from the skin or sew pieces of fur among themselves. Cut the lining fabric to fit the neckline, leaving seam allowances. Fold the lining and fur with their faces to each other and sew, leaving an open area at one of the ends. Turn out the boa and sew the rest with a blind seam. The accessory is ready. If desired, you can add tapes for tying or a fastener to it.
Boa Care
A boa is a delicate product that requires the same attention as all fur things. It should be dried uncovered at room temperature, cleaned in dry cleaning, and stored in a special case in a cool dark place. If the fur is jammed, it should be slightly sprinkled with water, shaken and allowed to dry on its own.