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A boa can be made of fur, but it is usually made instead from various types of feathers. Ostrich, marabou, chandelle, and turkey are the most common feathers used, although non-feather boas are also available. Feathers used go through bleaching or dyeing processes and are glued and stitched into lengths called "ply". Sometimes more natural boas are produced. A lightweight chandelle boa might only weigh 65 grams (2.3 oz), whereas a 24 ply ostrich boa can weigh as much as 200 grams (7.1 oz). The more ply, the fluffier and thicker the boa. Boas are generally measured by weight (grammes), length (centimetres), and ply.

With the development of "fun fur" or "eyelash" yarns in the late 20th Century, an adept craftsperson can knit a boa of one solid color or a mix of various colors. Yarn boas do not "shed" like feather boas and are favored for their soft texture against the neck. The rounded boa shape is achieved by knitting one row and purling the next row, then repeating this pattern until reaching the desired length.

Feather boas have been documented for use as an adornment since at least 1820, but they might have been worn as early as the 17th century. Feather boas have fallen in and out of fashion many times over the years. Feather boas have had the reputation of being elegant as well as being considered campy or vulgar apparel. Some historic eras where feather boas were in style or trendy include: the late Victorian era and Edwardian era (between 1890 and 1915), the 1920s, the 1970s during the glam rock and Disco music eras, the late 1990s, and into the early 21st century.

Entertainers have long used feather boas as part of their act. A few feather boa wearers include: dancer Isadora Duncan; singer Shirley Bassey; actor/comedian Mae West; wrestlers Jesse Ventura, Marc Bolan of the glam rock band, T.Rex, Superstar Billy Graham, and Hulk Hogan; singers Scott Weiland, Celia Cruz, Cher, and Elton John; and numerous other opera and cabaret singers. Singer and comic book writer Gerard Way has been known to wear a boa while performing.

Social clubs such as the Red Hat Society, or those who are involved with historic re-enactment societies wear boas at meetings while they are often worn as a costume accessory for parties around holiday seasons such as Halloween or Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Feather boas are worn for erotic seduction purposes, and are at times considered fetish wear. A nude performer may use a boa to cover herself while teasing her audience.