I'm always interested in the revival and re-interpretation of historical costume. I mean beyond the oft recycled decades of the 20th century. I mean even further back than the other often-referenced epoch, Victorians. Much further back. Let's take it all the way back to Elizabethan times like this girl on Facehunter and her lace neck ruff. The beauty of the neck ruff is you can either take it by itself and play it simply like this girl has done by pairing it with a simple black dress or you can just play up to its full dramatic potential like the Harajuku girl in cos-play.
Of course, I doubt many people would be able to handle the foot-wide ruffs that the Elizabethans at once point, considered the height of fashion but the ones available now in the 21st century are perfectly acceptable. Why not incorporate it into everyday wear? A ruff with an v-necked long tank and skinny jeans. A ruff in addition to a lacey dress to give the impression of an all-in-one ensemble. A ruff with a square necked trapeze short dress. Or just a ruff with anything where the decollatage is very bare and has the ability to carry it off.
The Very Merry Streamstress offers a selection in different sizes and fabrics. Simple white would be the most authentic....
... but a simpler pattern in red is very striking indeed...
The Historical Costume Company sells various ex-theatre ruffs. I always knew I should have sneakily raided the school costume and props department.
Of if you're semi-skilled at sewing, you can have a go at making one in a desired un-Elizabethan fabric and colour (hot pink satin?) by following this guide. It even has a handy Ruff Calculator. I've yet to don a ruff yet but I have my eye on it as another Blast from the Past accessory to revive (gloves have already well and truly arrived...).
**EDIT** Just remembered a very recent catwalk ruff encounter (that wasn't an intended pun!) from the Osman Yousefzada SS07 show which I attended last September. The ruffs added this ethereal touch that yes, on the long-limbed gazelle-like models is stunning. I'm of the average neck-length ilk so can't really complain too much, but as with a lot of Blast for the Past accessories, it's all about the attitude in how you wear it.
