What is a jabot?
A few friends have been reading my Scottish novella, The Laird’s Bride (not yet available), and a couple asked me to explain a number of things. Most were Scottish terms, but one query was about a jabot.
A jabot is a fall of lace or gathered fabric worn at the neck by a man in a formal traditional Scottish highland outfit — kilt, sporran, etc. Often he will wear lace cuffs as well.
It doesn’t have to be a man, I recall when I was about 12 my mother made me wear a jabot with a particular dress.
Sean Connery really rocked the kilt and jabot, didn’t he? (And by the way, it’s usually called the kilt not a kilt. Like the ‘flu, not a ‘flu.)
Not every man wears a jabot these days — many wear a tie in a tartan that matches the kilt— but some men can really rock a jabot. So purely for your education, here are a few more photos of men in jabots.
Anne-
Thanks for the explanation of the kilt and the jabot. Q-did some men wear a decorative pin on their jabot? I seem to recall jabot pins on a Sotheby’s or Christie’s auction site. BTW-thanks also for the splendid pictures. Now I’m ready to read a Highlander novella. Just sayin’…
Thanks, Binnie Syril, I’m hoping to get the book out soon. I’ll notify everyone when it happens. As for men wearing a decorative pin on their jabot, I suppose some did, just like some men wear a tie-pin and others don’t.
One of our nieces wed a Scot, and he and his groomsmen wore the kilt and some of them wore jabots. I remember the groom’s mother talking about trying to teach the young men how to tie them! Can’t wait to read the novella, Anne, and many thanks for the photo of Sir Sean, who wore the kilt and a tuxedo with equal aplomb!
Thanks, Constance. I do love a wedding with the men wearing the kilt. And yes, Sean Connery wore the kilt or a tux — or anything, really, with equal grace.
What is the sporran?
LOL Carol. I’m guessing that’s a joke, but in case it’s not, it’s a Scotsman’s answer to a purse.
Nice to know what the various pieces of clothing look like and are named. I have a difficult time with some of the names of the many styles of clothing we have now. I do love men in kilts. MY brother-in-law wore one for every special family event. I do not recall if he ever wore it with the jabot. I am enjoying the photos you added to this story.
Thanks Margot, clothing names can be tricky, I agree.