Furs and products from them have always been considered luxury and we alth. At all times, a woman wrapped in a fur coat or coat, in most cases, was ranked by the public as representatives of the upper strata of the population, with high incomes and a noble origin.
Today, various fur accessories are at the peak of popularity again. Firstly, they perfectly fulfill their main purpose - they warm in the cold, and, secondly, they give the female image charm and presentability. Today, one of the most exquisite fur products is a boa, without which no secular fashionista's wardrobe can do.
What is a boa?
This accessory is a kind of cape 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 collar.
A boa is a fur product that is either sewn together from pieces or made from a whole animal skin. Recently, boas knitted from strips of fur or fur yarn have become common.
Where did it come fromboa?
If you start from the very beginning, you can remember 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 up with the skins of animals obtained during hunting came to us precisely from ancient times.
In fact, the boa (a photo of the very first models can be seen below) began to manifest itself as a separate accessory back in the Renaissance. Then they were worn by both men and women, but only from the nobility.
In general, the word "boa" is a French term derived from "gorge" and translated into Russian meaning "neck" or "throat". However, the French themselves are more inclined to call these fur accessories "boa".
The beginning of the 19th century was a period of active introduction of fur boas into secular fashion. It happened at the suggestion of Parisians, known to all for their love of bohemian and aristocratic gizmos. At the same time, such an accessory could not be found 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 fully dressed 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 down from grandmothers to daughters and granddaughters or even kept as a relic.
In Russiaboas on the streets were more or less common in the 1920s. They began to be sewn from different furs of slightly lesser value and worn instead of a collar on a coat. However, not everyone could afford this accessory anyway.
In the post-war period, 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. on the catwalks of the world, the already familiar accessories reappeared. Now the boa is a real hit, equated to a classic.
What are boas made of?
As mentioned, a typical boa is made from fur. For these purposes, the skins of fox, mink, chinchilla, raccoon, arctic fox, sable, rabbit are suitable. Also in stores you can often find products made of faux fur, not much different from the real one. Downy and feather boas look quite original. The raw material for them is swan down or marabou down.
Anything can be used to finish the accessory: lace, ribbons, silk, brooches, pompoms, tassels. And the variety of shades can completely confuse: modern methods of dyeing fur allow you to get almost the entire spectrum - from warm to cold colors.
The modern boa, the photo of which is presented in this article, today is a completely self-sufficient accessory that does not require additions and at the same time can transform any outfit.
What to wear with a boa?
Everyone knows that fashion is capriciousand extremely variable. Therefore, if earlier boas were worn exclusively with smart clothes and outerwear, now these accessories can be combined with everyday things.
Wedding and long evening gowns complemented by a boa are a classic. If a woman has only classic dresses with a strictly cut 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 now a universal attribute, equally suitable for a classic coat, as well as for a down jacket, and for a jacket. The main thing is that fur is not 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. Under no circumstances should a boa be worn with sportswear and shoes.
As for jewelry and bijouterie, 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 tippet, 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 choosing a boa to match the clothes.
How to make your own boa?
If there is unclaimed fur or skin at home, then there is nothing easier than sewing a stylish accessory yourself. A handmade boa can also serve as a wonderful birthday present for a relative orbeloved friend. In addition to fur, you will also need lining fabric and matching threads, needles and scissors.
Cut out a rectangular strip from the skin or sew the pieces of fur together. Cut the lining fabric to size, leaving a seam allowance. Fold the lining and fur right sides together and sew, leaving an open area at one end. Turn the boa inside out and sew the rest with a blind stitch. The accessory is ready. If desired, you can add ribbons for tying or a clasp to it.
Boa care
A boa is a product made of delicate material that requires the same attention as all fur things. It should be dried in a straightened form at room temperature, cleaned in dry cleaning, and stored in a special case in a cool dark place. If the fur is wrinkled, it should be slightly sprinkled with water, shaken and allowed to dry on its own.
