What Is a Boa?

Through the years, women have often counted on the flashy accessory known as a boa. The glamorous look, which is often made today of synthetic materials, was originally made from fur and included an animal's head and feet. Later, boas were made from the feathers of exotic birds and were popular in the 1920s. Used today mainly as a costume piece, boas still show up at a variety of events worn by entertainers and partiers alike.

The boa is thought to have been named for the boa constrictor, a reference to the snake charmers who wrapped snakes around their necks. Society matrons made a fashion statement by wearing the skins of various animals draped over their shoulders. These boas were often made from sable, and the animal's head, feet and tails were kept intact in some cases. According to a 1901 New York Times article, a particularly elegant boa might include more than one skin, so that two heads rested at the neck of the wearer.

By the 1920s, the boa had evolved into a fashion statement made not by fur but by feathers. The more exotic the bird from which the feathers came, the more desirable it was to flappers, who routinely wore boas for a night on the town. Peacock, ostrich, marabou and pheasant were among the most commonly sold feathers for boas; feathers were dyed to match particular outfits.

Production of traditional feather boas involves gathering or purchasing the feathers, which are bleached so that they can to be dyed later with a dye suited to the type of feathers. In well-made boas, the feathers are usually hand-stitched into a ply. The ply is often 6 feet or longer. Cheaper boas, often made of turkey feathers, are machine stitched.

The easy movement and drama afforded by feather boas have made them a favorite fashion accessory for entertainers, including many dancers and striptease artists. Pop, rock and cabaret singers have adopted the exotic look of the boa. Theatrical productions featuring young women of the 1920s use boas as costume pieces. Mardi Gras wearers often adapt boas into their holiday outfits.

Inexpensive boas made from feathers or synthetic materials in a variety of colors are readily available in costume shops (see Resources below). Vintage boas, both fur and feather, can be found at antique stores and online, including at auction sites such as eBay.

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