Boa (clothing accessory)

Woman with a black feather boa, c. 1892, by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

A feather boa is a fashion accessory that is usually worn wrapped around the neck like a scarf.

A boa may be made of fur, but it is usually made from various types of feathers: Ostrich, marabou, chandelle and turkey are the most common feathers used although non-feather boas are also available. Feathers used go through bleaching and/or dyeing processes and are glued and stitched into lengths called "ply". Sometimes more natural boas are produced. A lightweight chandelle boa may only weigh 65g while a 24 ply ostrich boa may weigh 200g. The more ply, the fluffier and thicker the boa. Boas are generally measured by weight (grammes), length and ply. Boas are available through novelty, costume or lingerie shops, but they can also be ordered online through specialized sources.

Types of feather boas

Ostrich — Thousands of long thin feather strands woven into ply are used to construct these very fluffy boas. These form the larger, Las Vegas showgirl type boas, as when they are coloured and woven into many ply, they can look very dramatic even at a distance.

Turkey — Many larger flat turkey feathers form these heavier boas which might weigh 120-180g and reach 30 cm in diameter.

Marabou — The fine down from marabou is used to form these very thin, and very fluffy boas.

Chandelle — Smaller feathers or "flats" from the turkey are used to create these lighter boas with smaller diameters.

Historic trends

Feather boas have been documented for use as an adornment since 1820, but they may have been worn as early as the 17th century. Feather boas have fallen in and out of fashion many times over the years. Feather boas have had the reputation of being elegant as well as being considered campy or vulgar apparel.

Some historic eras where feather boas were in style or trendy include: the late Victorian era and Edwardian era (between 1890 and 1915), the 1920's, the 1970's during the glam rock and Disco music eras, the late 1990's and early 21st century. Entertainers have long used feather boas as part of their act. A few feather boa wearers include: dancer Isadora Duncan, actor/comedian Mae West, wrestlers Jesse Ventura, Superstar Billy Graham and Hulk Hogan, singers Scott Weiland, Celia Cruz, Cher, Elton John and numerous opera and cabaret singers. Singer and comic book writer Gerard Way has been known to wear a black boa while performing.

Other uses

Social clubs such as the Red Hat Society, or those who are involved with historic re-enactment societies wear boas at meetings while they are often worn as a costume accessory for parties around holiday seasons such as Halloween or Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Yellow and red boas or black and white boas are often worn by Hollywood Hulk Hogan.

Feather boas are worn for erotic seduction purposes, and are at times considered Fetish wear. A nude performer may use a boa to cover herself while teasing her audience.