Choose ostrich for a full, flowing boa with movement and drama. Choose marabou for a soft, light, fluffy boa or trim at a lower cost. Both come in stock in white and black, and both can be dyed to any color.
What each one is
An ostrich boa is made from ostrich feathers twisted into strands, called ply. The more ply, the fuller and thicker the boa. Our standard ostrich boa is 4-ply and 2 yards (6 feet) long, with a marabou center that adds fullness. We make anything from a light 1-ply boa for trims to a full 25-ply boa for the stage.
A marabou boa is made from turkey marabou, the soft, downy fluff of the feather. It is lighter and thinner than ostrich, with a cloud-like texture. We sell it by the yard in two fullness weights, 25 gram and 40 gram.
Side by side
| Ostrich boa | Marabou boa | |
|---|---|---|
| Feather | Ostrich, twisted into ply | Turkey marabou (down) |
| Look | Long, flowing feathers that move | Soft, fluffy and compact |
| Fullness | Set by the ply: 1-ply to 25-ply | 25 gram or 40 gram per yard |
| Sold | By the boa (2 yards) | By the yard |
| Best for | Stage, dance, bridal, showgirl and statement looks | Trims, costumes, crafts, pom poms and shoe poofs |
| Custom options | Custom dye, ombré, curled, glitter, extra ply, coque sewn in | Custom dye |
Which one fits your project
- Worn on stage or in a photo: ostrich. The long feathers catch the light and move with the performer.
- Trimming a garment edge: a light ostrich boa, or a marabou boa if you want a soft, close fuzz. For a flatter edge on a hem or cuff, ostrich fringe sewn on tape is often better than a boa; it comes in a 5″–6″ standard size and a 7″+ premium size.
- A fuller look in one boa: ask for more ply, or for coque feathers sewn into an ostrich boa.
- Budget or large quantities: marabou costs less per yard.
Not sure? Send us a sketch, photo or the garment and we’ll recommend the right boa, or show you both in our showroom.
Dyeing a boa to match
We dye ostrich and marabou boas to a Pantone number or a sample. In an ostrich boa with a marabou center, the two feathers take dye differently, so the center can come out a slightly different shade. For a close match, we can dye the marabou and ostrich separately before the boa is made.
Caring for a boa
Boas can arrive flattened from packing. Shake them out, or hang them in a steamy bathroom for a few minutes and let them dry, and the feathers will fluff back up. Store them loosely, away from moths.
Other boas we make
We also make turkey chandelle, coque, hackle and schlappen boas. Tell us the length, ply and color you need.