A jabot that is not a shade of white (and questions related to that concept)

[Phil]

It never ceases to amaze me how a simple article of clothing can arouse such a degree of indignation and controversy. We seem to be approaching the "pistols at dawn" stage here over an item of neckwear. In the past I have been berated mercilessly and told in no uncertain terms about the impossibility of wearing buckle brogues. Is it something in the mindset that causes this or is it just the sheer unfamiliarity of the item in question?
As to jabots, I have never seen any other than a shade of white being worn and the links posted seem to point towards fancy dress for coloured ones - pirates, dandies, that sort of thing. If that is the OP's desire to resemble a pirate or an 18th century fop then who are we to criticise? There will be plenty of others within earshot to take care of that.

[The Wizard of BC]

If I could interject a bit here.

There are many types of neckwear. A jabot is just one type.

If someone were wanting to wear something other than a traditional white lace jabot and still look good a black stock would fit the bill. As would any of the various styles popular at the turn of the 19th century.

These may require a different shirt but there is nothing wrong with that either.

I have been known to wear a black stock on occasion.

[MacRobert's Reply]

I think it's all been said ...sometimes graciously and sometimes with a passion! It's only a neck cloth chaps.

For Scottish Highland dress the jabot or lace cravat is white or near white: ivory, cream etc.. I have yet to see another colour worn in Scotland and don't relish the thought. However, other types of cravat and their derivatives, such as the ruch tie, come in all colours and do appear with highland dress, especially at weddings where the clothing is hired.

[Chas]

Sorry for the bluntness, but I get tired of folks, not only in the kilted world, but in certain geographical cultural areas of the world, trying always to do things differently rather than trying to do things well.

That should be on a flash message on every thread here. How often do we read "this is my take on the traditional xxx"? It makes me want to scream at my monitor "Take your take and take it far away from here!"

[Jock Scot]

That should be on a flash message on every thread here. How often do we read "this is my take on the traditional xxx"? It makes me want to scream at my monitor "Take your take and take it far away from here!"

Chas, Bill, Phil and others well said. I wish there was an answer to this problem and thus far, I too, have have failed dismally to find one. However, don't waver in trying to get the message accross to those that are willing to learn and there are many here that are. Traditional Highland attire, with its conventions,traditions, reasons and aethetitics are hard and oft-times, confusing and sometimes expensive to grasp. Highland attire deserves better, much better, than the costume that some make it . And before anyone says it, yes, that goes for some in Scotland too!

[Phil]

I tried a few different colours on the basic jabot - think I definitely prefer the white option -



Red perhaps?



or maybe blue?



Don't like black though -



What does everyone else think?

[Jock Scot]

I think that you have proved conclusively, that as far as the jabot and civilian kilt attire is concerned, it is not possible to "re-invent the wheel"!

[CeilidhDoc]

Hmmm.

I seem to have ignited quite a fire here, which was not at all my intent.

My only point in starting this thread was to inquire about something I found confusing. I have no intent of turning highland attire into a costume, in fact, far from it. My point in asking was to specifically avoid doing so because that is the last thing I would want to do. My love of highland attire stems from my genetic ancestry and I aim to represent it well.

I am sorry if I gave people the impression that I was out to turn it into a costume or make a mockery of it somehow.

I do appreciate the input.

[Jock Scot]

I wouldn't worry old chap, all you did was ask a series of questions. After all said and done how are you going to learn without asking questions. It is usually some of the replies that light the fuse!

[Father Bill]

Hmmm.

I seem to have ignited quite a fire here, which was not at all my intent.

My only point in starting this thread was to inquire about something I found confusing. I have no intent of turning highland attire into a costume, in fact, far from it. My point in asking was to specifically avoid doing so because that is the last thing I would want to do. My love of highland attire comes from my genetic ancestry and aim to represent it well.

I am sorry if I gave people the impression that I was out to turn it into a costume or make a mockery of it somehow.

I do appreciate the input.

Hi CeilidhDoc!

As my good friend Jock has intimated above, I think it was I more than you, who stirred things up by my unusual bluntness. You posted reasonable questions. What you did not know (and it is always wise and thoughtful to ask when you don't know, so you were quite right and reasonable to do so) is that a jabot is technically not actually neckware but rather a representative bit or piece of what once was a "tie-off" for a shirt.

I think your questions were reasonable in the absence of information to the contrary, but to review them, yes some men dislike the lace because it is lace. Changing the colour doesn't change that much for many of them, and no, black lace is not equivalent to black tie since the jabot isn't a tie nor ireally an ancestor of a tie. The concept of colour just introduces an unusually novel approach to the concept of formality which would likely grate on the sensibilities of many of those who are familiar with formality (and unfortunately I'm one of those, thus my strong reaction. )

A jabot by its nature, regardless of colour, would be an indication of the most formal level. Were it not white, it would be viewed by many as merely pretentious, ignorant, or perhaps even obnoxious. They wouldn't likely say anything, but their contempt could stick to the wearer long afterwards. MacLowlife's well-humoured response outlines some of the pitfalls associated with that.

No, coloured jabots do not, to the best of my knowledge have any highland precedent. The reason has to do with the bleaching as I've discussed above once I crawled back under my more usual rock.

You beg forgiveness; none is necessary. It is I who should have been more thoughtful and cautious in my response, so I ask yours instead. I hope that I haven't dampened your enthusiasm for either highlandwear, nor for XMarks - you sure get an answer here when you ask here!

Meanwhile, you've indicated that you love and respect the tradition, something of which I'm respectful. You and others will wear what you will, but the concern of many of us who are traditionalists is that as "new and different" is tried out, the kilt is nudged towards being a hallowe'en costume. Those of us who love the old traditions as you do, always feel badly when this happens.

Again, my apologies for my curt approach, and I hope that your questions have been answered with greater respect than I showed there.

Always yours,

Bill+