Jabots

[M. A. C. Newsome]

When I obtained my sherrifmuir doublet I wanted a lace jabot, but wanted something a bit less ostentatious than the typical polyester lace job one can find at most Highland retail outfitters. My wife had done some really beautiful knit lacework, so she and I found a knit lace pattern from 19th century Shetland and she used it to make a knit jabot for me. The fiber is very fine wool yarn, and the color is ivory, not pure white.


Here is a close up:

[Dale Seago]

What I wonder is, when did jabots appear.

. . .(BTW jabots appear to be a modern attempt at capturing the look of the ruffles attached to the neck opening of many 18th century shirts, so in other words appear to be another 20th century quasi-Jacobean revival.)

According to Wikipedia,

Originally the term jabot referred to the frilling or ruffles decorating the front of a shirt.[1] It has evolved into a decorative clothing accessory consisting of lace or other fabric falling from the throat, suspended from or attached to a neckband or collar; or simply pinned at the throat.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, a jabot consisted of cambric or lace edging sewn to both sides of the front opening of a man's shirt, and partially visible through a vest worn over it. This style arose around 1650

[creagdhubh]

Matt,

I have seen photos of you before wearing your lovely tweed Sheriffmuir and beautiful, hand-made jabot. I really do love the look and tone of your 'one-of-a-kind' jabot. In my opinion, the ivory colour is less of harsh contrast (even though I still do like the look of the bright white jabots and coloured velvet doublets) and is subdued quite a bit and I think the same can be said of the present Duke of Argyll's jabot - they both have the appearance of being worn quite often without looking dirty, disheveled, or approaching 'retirement.'

Cheers,

[creagdhubh]

O ok, I understand now. Thanks, creagdhubh. The green, velvet doublet also sounds nice.

I agree!

Cheers,

[CMcG]

...
It is a very dressy look indeed, and I expect most of us will not need to be THAT dressed up, at least not more than once in our lives.

This, for me, is the essence of the jabot. I know that some people would wear it for black or white tie, but I think it looks best for when you really need to be THAT dressed up. Personally, I've never been to a white tie event and any black tie events I've been to haven't seemed like a jabot would really fit.

If I did have the occasion to wear one and the doublet to go with it, I'd prefer one of the less frilly, less poofy versions... or is that counter to the whole jabot aesthetic? I would post some pics, but the reply boxes (quick and advanced) are not giving me that option right now...

[MacLowlife]

CMcG, you are right, as usual. Many of us will not need to be THAT dressed up, but then, many of us do not have "Your Grace" or "His Grace" at the beginning of our names. I am betting that people who come out to see a real duke, even one who is selling whisky, would like to see him dressed way way up. And, of course, the same is true for James Bond, or for many bridegrooms.

I remember talking at a function once to a retired USMC colonel, a big man of 6'4" or so. He was wearing a jabot and he described the look he got on his way to the event when he pulled up at a traffic light next to a truck driver. Holding his hand horizontal, as if he was about to pledge allegiance to the flag, he showed me how he winked at the truck driver and flicked his jabot up and out a couple of times.

On the other hand, the jabot worn in the portrait above by Auld Glentruim, in his red waistcoat, is pretty austere, almost like a pair of preaching tabs.

[Harold Cannon]

I am not very fond of the lace jabots. Its just not my style but Just Two Tailors makes one that in more fabric and less lace. I really like this one.

[creagdhubh]

On the other hand, the jabot worn in the portrait above by Auld Glentruim, in his red waistcoat, is pretty austere, almost like a pair of preaching tabs.

What can I say? Us Macphersons are usually understated in many ways...hahaha!

Cheers,

[creagdhubh]

If I did have the occasion to wear one and the doublet to go with it, I'd prefer one of the less frilly, less poofy versions... or is that counter to the whole jabot aesthetic? I would post some pics, but the reply boxes (quick and advanced) are not giving me that option right now...

As in the Duke of Argyll's jabot? His Grace's jabot appears not as 'poofy' and 'Austin Powers' looking as some of the others. I like Matt's as well - especially it's simplicity and colour - not overly ostentatious at all.

[Bugbear]

MacLowlife and CMcG, what you bring up is why I stopped advocating the use of the jabot in black tie attire a while back; I used to suggest it a lot, and I think I was in love with the idea… To my mind, I still think the jabot is very handsome, though not something I should wear.

Granted, I only have my memory and imagination, along with the influence and descriptions of other members. In the end, the principles of blandness won out; a return to my roots of sorts… Even though creagdhubh is trying to lure me back in with this talk of "simplicity" in jabots.