Reviews of J. Higgins Barathea Argyll Jackets???

[TheBrus]

Does anyone have any thoughts on J. Higgins's black Argyll-type kilt jackets? I've wanted one for a long time now, and the price is good, but I notice it's a lot lower than most others ($205). Has anyone bought one of these? What do you think of it? Should I save my money for a different one? Any recommendations in lieu of J. Higgins's jackets?

Thanks!
Jared Brus

[California Highlander]

Searching for J. Higgins jacket turns up this:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...gave-up-70649/

[Livingston]

I like mine with waistcoat. I've only worn it a few times but the fit was perfect when I got it. Might be a little tight now though.

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

I've ordered a many items from J Higgins, from kilts to jackets and waistcoats. Service is always great. Their sizes do seem to run a bit small. I've worn a 38S coat all my adult life, and their 40S fits perfectly.

[TheBrus]

Searching for J. Higgins jacket turns up this:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...gave-up-70649/

Yes, I actually posted a thought in that thread. It was specifically about service at J. Higgins. I'm a long-time customer of John's. Everything I've ordered from him has been quite good, but I was wondering if there was a major difference between, for example, USA Kilts' jackets and J. Higgins. I don't own any jackets yet, so I wanted to see why the difference in price for what seems a similar jacket. So, to restate the question a bit differently: Among jackets on the market, what are the major price points and how does J. Higgins's product rank in these areas?

[longhuntr74]

I bought one and returned it because I was quite unimpressed with the quality and didn't feel that it was worth that lower price. Buttons were out of alignment and just punched through the fabric (held on by rings buried in the lining of the jacket). The fabric is NOT Barathea!! They will tell you this if you talk to them...they actually claim that their wool is more durable...I beg to differ. It just looks cheap.

I guess it depends on your approach to buying? I've personally "settled" for lower priced garments and items several times in my life...and in the end I always end up regretting it, buying twice, and spending double because I'm unhappy with the cheaper item. My advice...save your money and invest in a better one. I've currently got my eye on a Made to Measure from Mackenzie Frain...approximately $369. Yes it's quite a bit more, but that's a GREAT price for made to measure!!!

[Blupiper]

I purchased one of their jackets and have no problems with the fit or finish. Ozark Ridge Rider has it right, though. Their sizing runs small. Go up on size and you should be right. I was impressed by their customer service. My order was placed online and I received a call from them the next day about sizing my jacket. Following their recommendations, I went up a size (from 44 to 46) and it fits just right. A positive experience for me.

JMB

[Braw Cathairneach]

J. Higgins delivered my waistcoat and kilt jacket three weeks to the day that the order was placed. An acceptable and reasonable six to eight week fulfillment period was originally estimated.

Mr. Higgins was sufficiently prudent to provide a try-out jacket and waistcoat to benchmark the sizing prior to finalizing the order. The cost of the try-out jacket and waistcoat was applied to the cost of the order after returning the try-out items to J. Higgins.

The sizes do tend to run small. I could have gone one size larger with the jacket. Responsibility for that decision is mine and mine alone. Mr. Higgins gave me every opportunity to determine proper sizing.

Dealing with J. Higgins was a refreshing experience after my frustration with St. Kilda USA.

Note to Mr. Higgins: I’ve run up the Bravo Zulu flags on your behalf. Well Done!!!

[MacRob]

I have had one of the Argyll jackets for a number of years. It is first class in fit and finish. I am now thinking about a Prince Charlie. While it is not a jacket, of course, I got a kilt for my son about ten years ago and it too was well-made and a perfect fit for him. I have heard tales that the quality has fallen off some lately but my experience several years ago was very good.

[OC Richard]

Most of the Pipe Bands around here wear Higgins black barathea waistcoats/vests, the sort which are made to match the Argyll jackets, so I have a lot of experience with those.

Bands here like the Higgins vests because they're relatively inexpensive and they come in several lengths... sadly it's common in Pipe Bands for guys to wear vests that are too short.

I will say that the barathea fabric that Higgins uses doesn't look like the barathea used by Scottish jacket makers... I know because I've had four or five different black barathea Argyll jackets over the years, all Scottish made, and the fabric was a rich deep black with an elegant surface feel. The Higgins vests (I own two of them) aren't as black, being a dull extremely dark grey one might say, and the fabric doesn't have as elegant a "feel".