Did people actually wear collars like this, or was it a special accessory to wear while sitting for a portrait? Minnesotastan got curious and researched Elizabethan ruffs. They served a purpose: keeping "ring around the collar" away from the shirt. In the 17th century, the upper classes even had special appliances to iron them. The ruffs were starched, dyed, and propped up before they fell out of fashion. Get the whole story and additional links at TYWKIWDBI. Link...