This incredible wired Elizabethan ruff with decorative swirls and pearl accents was designed by Sandy Powell for Shakespeare In Love, where it was originally worn by Gwyneth Paltrow as Viola De Lesseps in 1998.

In 2016 the pearl accents were removed when the ruff was used again for the BBC documentary Bloody Queens: Elizabeth & Mary, where it was worn by Beth Cooke as Mary, Queen of Scots. Most recently, in 2024, the piece appeared in the fifth episode of My Lady Jane, where it was worn by Emily Bader in the title role.

Interestingly enough, the production’s show runner, Gemma Burgess actually spoke about this particular reuse in an interview with Geek Girl Authority.

“…there’s a ball, Jane wears an incredible gown and we were talking to our costume designer and we said, ‘Y’know, we want it to feel like the moment in Shakespeare in Love when Gwyneth Paltrow wears the incredible gold ruff and she came back a couple weeks later and said, ‘I found the ruff.’ We were like, ‘Oh, you got it made?’ She said, ‘No, I found the ACTUAL ruff. In a costume house.’ And so, Jane is literally wearing the Gwyneth Paltrow ruff from Shakespeare in Love.”

Look through more costumes from Shakespeare in Love here!