Montrose doublet questions.

**Paco500** · 2nd April 06, 06:44 PM

This thread is pretty much academic at this point, a curiosity really, as I am not in the financial position to be buying a full on formal get-up. However, as I fantasize about this mythical outfit of mine, it includes a Montrose Doublet.

Except for one thing, I'm not really too nuts about the "lace jabot and cuffs."

Every place that I found them online mentions that they are "normally" worn this way, but I've found no reference to the abnormal way of wearing them, or even a picture of the jacket without the lace.

As way of clarification, in the pictures I've seen, I think they look fantastic and quite distinguished with the lace, but for myself it seems a bit over the top with formality and borders on a "costume."

So what I'm wondering is, has anyone seen one of these worn in an alternate style or could someone provide a picture of one with the collar not covered by the lace so I can get about to fantasizing what I might wear with it. Any suggestions? Or would it be like wearing a sporran with suspenders, just plain stupid.

**Hamish** · 3rd April 06, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by Paco500

This thread is pretty much academic at this point, a curiosity really, as I am not in the financial position to be buying a full on formal get-up. However, as I fantasize about this mythical outfit of mine, it includes a Montrose Doublet.

Except for one thing, I'm not really too nuts about the "lace jabot and cuffs."

Every place that I found them online mentions that they are "normally" worn this way, but I've found no reference to the abnormal way of wearing them, or even a picture of the jacket without the lace.

As way of clarification, in the pictures I've seen, I think they look fantastic and quite distinguished with the lace, but for myself it seems a bit over the top with formality and borders on a "costume."

So what I'm wondering is, has anyone seen one of these worn in an alternate style or could someone provide a picture of one with the collar not covered by the lace so I can get about to fantasizing what I might wear with it. Any suggestions? Or would it be like wearing a sporran with suspenders, just plain stupid.

Hi Paco,

I have worn a Montrose Doublet for more formal occasions (and for formal displays of Scottish Country Dancing) since the 1960s (there is a pic. taken in 1969 on page 4 of my Photo Album) - it took me a very long time to look like the rest of the herd in a Prince Charlie!!

The Montrose can be worn without the lace cuffs and you could replace the jabot with a simpler Highland Cravat (if you can track one down!), but it is "normal" to wear them with the frills and flounces. Actually, I prefer that 'romantic' look and the ladies virtually swoon when seeing a manly man so dressed!

A variation on the Montrose is the 'GT Doublet' - exclusive to Geoffrey (Tailor) in Edinburgh. This is a single breasted doublet (making it cooler to wear in a stuffy Ballroom/Banqueting Room), which can be worn in different ways. This also requires either a jabot or a Highland Cravat, but does not necessarily require the cuffs. There are three images of this on page 8 of my Album, but all showing the doublet being worn behind the dress belt (it can be worn partially unbuttoned and outside the belt, but I have not tried that method which would also require a full, white shirt to be worn). With both the Montrose and the GT Doublets (when worn fully buttoned) only a T-shirt is required underneath - a massive advantage when dancing energentically - the cuffs being tacked to the inside of the doublet's sleeves, and the jabot/Highland Cravat just being worn around the neck!!

Here is one of the photos of the GT Doublet from my Album:

I hope this helped a little.

**Moosehead** · 3rd April 06, 09:31 AM

Or go for something such as can be found HERE

**Colin** · 3rd April 06, 09:42 AM

Damn Hamish.....only you could actually make me consider ever wearing anything lace

. I have seen that picture a few times, but it still looks really sharp.

**Nick** · 3rd April 06, 09:49 AM

I'm making my own Montrose. I might consider it sans cuffs, but it would look incomplete to me without the jabot, I think.

**davedove** · 3rd April 06, 10:02 AM

I will get me a Montrose doublet one of these days. I don't really have that many places to go to justify both a doublet and my Brian Baru jacket, so it will have to wait.

I do think the Montrose would just look incomplete without the lace.

**ByDand** · 3rd April 06, 10:07 AM

I have always worn the Montrose with the Jabot shirt, lace at the collar and on the sleeves. I did see someone wearing a Montrose with a high collar formal shirt and a tartan bowtie. Looked Ok but not complete. Just my thoughts.

**macwilkin** · 3rd April 06, 10:26 AM

Remember, a Montrose jacket with the full "rig" is equivalent to when the Saxons are wearing white tie, the most formal of formal dress. In the colonies, that line has blurred some what, especially at Scottish functions.

Cheers,

Todd

**Hamish** · 3rd April 06, 10:37 AM

This is the only photo I can find **(at short notice) of the Highland Cravat.

As you can see, it is basically a white (silk or fine linen) narrow scarf with a short decoration in lace at either end. This would be worn rather shorter than seen here when with a Montrose or GT Doublet.

(**Thanks to TartanWeb.com)

**mkmound** · 3rd April 06, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Hamish

This is the only photo I can find **(at short notice) of the Highland Cravat. . .

As you can see, it is basically a white (silk or fine linen) narrow scarf with a short decoration in lace at either end. This would be worn rather shorter than seen here when with a Montrose or GT Doublet.

(**Thanks to TartanWeb.com)

Is the cravat normally worn with an open collar shirt like this? (Jacobite or other period shirt?)

Mark