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

[Bugbear]

MacLowlife wanted a new topic, and I had taken note that I was not raised in the traditions being discussed in another thread. It felt alien...

So, please discuss the use of the jabot in the Highland attire equivalent of black tie attire.
Please, if you would, discuss the use of the jabot with each of the acceptable kilt jackets.

I have erased, as best as I can, all of what I think I know.

Thank you.

Title inspired by William James and William Shakespeare respectively.

[JSFMACLJR]

Good topic, Ted!

I am an advocate of wearing a jabot. Even for black tie events. A jabot obviously works with any closed style doublet such as a "Kenmore" and "Sherrifmuir", but I find them perfectly acceptable with open doublets, if worn with a waistcoat and as long as too much white shirt front isn't showing. My experience has shown me-- and the books on Highland dress back me up-- that jabots are more common in the Western Isles and Highlands than in other parts of the Highlands.

While I see absolutely nothing wrong with wearing a jabot to a black tie event, more often than not I wear a bow tie to these functions. Why? just because I don't always like to one-up everyone else in attendance!

I occasionally will wear lace cuffs, but I find them generally to be a bother.

[Jock Scot]

In my humble opinion the jabot is not black tie equivalent and would be best not worn at black tie events, although I accept that some do. At white tie events then most certainly.

[KenB]

I agree; a jabot for white tie. However a Ceangail may work well for a black tie event instead of a bowtie.

[Bugbear]

I agree; a jabot for white tie. However a Ceangail may work well for a black tie event instead of a bowtie.

What is a "Ceangail"?

[KenB]

Follow this link for the Ceangail.

http://www.jbyous.com/CelticNeckwear.html

[artificer]

Follow this link for the Ceangail.

http://www.jbyous.com/CelticNeckwear.html

... I'm not sure how I feel about those. 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.)

[JSFMACLJR]

Follow this link for the Ceangail.

http://www.jbyous.com/CelticNeckwear.html

Are you serious? That's the oddest thing I've ever seen. The "tacky factor" plays into that invention.

[MacLowlife]

Thanks to XMarker Byous and to KenB for showing us the Ceangail. I am not so sure I will be wearing one, but it is an interesting option. I expect it would work quite well for the wearing of certain medals.



And it brings to mind something that has been on my mind. Has anyone ever seen an ascot worn with a kilt?

And now, back to the ectual topic...

[JerseyLawyer]

Follow this link for the Ceangail.

http://www.jbyous.com/CelticNeckwear.html

I couldn't hate it more.

Anyway, on the actual topic, while I think one could wear a jabot with a closed doublet to a black tie affair, it would be somewhat overdressing. The doublet and jabot is white tie attire.

Something I do like (though I can't claim to have worn it) is the cravat with a doublet. And I don't mean the big squishy tie thing that seems so popular among certain UK highland wear suppliers, more like a riding stock.

Here, from Highland Clans, Ltd.:



It does strike me as slightly Regency, but then again, a jabot strikes me as more than slightly Georgian.