Originally worn by 17th and 18th century military officers, the gorget was a piece of armor designed specifically for the purpose of protecting the throat and the upper chest. Usually made of steel, this collar was used to combat injuries from non-projectile weapons such as swords and lances. It was common for this piece to contain an emblem or demarcation signifying the office or rank of the wearer. Oftentimes, the gorget was the only indicator of a military official's rank. Indians wore them as well as testament to their place within the tribe.
Gorgets were worn over chainmail that would come up to the neck line. Hung from a chain around the neck, some featured detachable leather straps. From these straps, pouldrons could be fastened, offering protection for the upper arm and shoulder. This practice was common when full armor was worn.
At the end of the 18th century, wearing a gorget for protection became obsolete. The English first abandoned the practice, followed by the French two decades later, and it was the Germans who remained the last holdouts with many members of the Nazi party continuing to favor them. It was at this time that it became largely a figurative representative of achieved stature within the party. During this century, the piece was worn mainly to indicate when an officer was on active duty, establishing their rank on site.
Use of the gorget has been recently resurrected. Both the U.S. Army and the Navy have incorporated the device into stated uniform. It is now used primarily as an ornamental collar or colored throat patch.
As a decorative and functional collar, over the centuries gorgets have also been worn by women. While part of the days' fashion, its distinct purpose was to hide the visible signs of aging easily noticeable on the delicate skin of a woman's throat, neck and chest. They were worn higher and used for greater coverage of the neckline and would be best described as the scarf-like part of a wimple.
More recently, the gorget has been used in Gothic costuming and dress worn by both males and females. These fashion accessories are often made of leather, lace, feathers or rubber and are often found in black. When not a part of fashion apparel, a type of gorget is worn today as a protective gear by paintballers, motorcycle riders, all terrain vehicle drivers and trek sport bikers.
