The Varieties of Traditional Experience: To Jabot or not To Jabot

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

... I'm not sure how I feel about those. (I am-- MoR) On one hand, they might be pretty fetching on the right individual, but I think you'd have to be quite tall and thin to pull it off properly. Otherwise you run the risk of your head looking like a golf ball on a red satin tee.

It would be helpful to have some pictures of a whole outfit including the Ceangail, not just a close-up of the neck.

The other thing I'd be worried about is that I'd too closely resemble Bela Lugosi's Dracula. (although I see he's wearing white tie as well as the medal.)

For those interested, Lugosi is pictured wearing an-as-yet-to-be-identified order, pendant from a cravat (the wide ribbon around his neck). Most orders are divided into between 3 and 5 classes, with the 5th and 4th classes usually worn pinned to the chest as medals; the 3rd and 2nd class are most usually worn with the badge suspended from a ribbon (called a cravat) worn around the neck. The 1st class of most orders are worn from a broad ribbon (also called a cordon) worn over the shoulder and across the chest with the badge of the order resting on the hip. In the United Kingdom, and those Commonwealth countries which have their own system of orders, decorations, and medals, the 3rd and 2nd class badge is worn pendant from a miniature width ribbon, with the top of the badge approximately 1-inch below the knot of the tie.

In North America both the Canadian and United States governments award insignia that is worn at the neck-- the Order of Canada, and the U.S. Medal of Honor being the two most obvious examples. Non-governmental organizations also award badges of honour which are worn pendant from a cravat-- The Most Meritorious Order of Saint Andrew, which recognizes the achievements of the Scottish diaspora in the United States, being but one example.

The point of all of this is that the wearing of insignia in the manner described above has a significant meaning throughout the whole of society. These badges are the marks of heroism, service to the community, or outstanding achievements in a variety of fields. In short, they are a form of recognition that is to be respected, and not copied and debased as an item of "colorful" dress.

I frankly find the idea of the "ceangail" to be tasteless, and vulgar in the extreme.