Montrose doublet questions.

[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.

[Hamish]

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]

Or go for something such as can be found HERE

[Colin]

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]

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]

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.

[thescot]

Take it from an old beat up geezer--the ladies love the lace, and there's nothing at all unmasculine about it! My outfit is mucj like Hamishe's only it's the full, double breasted Montrose, and I wear a cotton, banded collar shirt under the jacket. Keeps me from sweating down the jacket and keeps the lace away from my skin.