J. Jiggins kilts

[Benning Boy]

I've had some p/v tartan laying around for a while that kept saying to me, "make me into a kilt." Not wanting to struggle with it myself, I looked for alternatives.

Today I took it to J. Higgins in Lenxa, Kansas, where it will be kiltified soon. Higgins offers a basic kilt of p/v they call the Value Kilt. My 3 yards of double width tartan will be turned into one of those, with a few modifications. The Value Kilt compares in someways to the casual kilts made by Burnetts and Struth, as well as the casual kilt and semi-tradition kilts offered by USAKilts. The basic value kilt is unlined, like the USA Kilts casual kilt and semi-traditional, but it has straps and buckles like the USA semi-traditional. The Burnett's and Struth casual kilts, which are comparable, have a flimsy lining, and are offered in wool, but are otherwise comparable to the Higgins value kilt.

As are the other kilts mentioned, the value kilt is machine sewn. Unlike the B&S cauals, but like USA kilts lower cost items, the value kilt pleats are sewn underneath, that is it is pleated from the right rather than the left, and no visible stitching shows.


I asked that a lining be put into my value kilt. Higgins uses a medium weight duck for the lining that I think may well take a lot of the load from the straps and buckles, instead of straining the actual tartan. We'll see. The Higgins method of lining is far superior to that of B&S casual kilts. The lining added $40 to the price of the kilt.


As I had my own p/v tartan, I will be charged only labor for the finished kilt (and the added price of the lining.) The labor charge was $75. The value kilt normally comes with three straps and buckles. I asked for two instead.


I think Higgins can easily accomodate variations to the basic item if asked.


Higgins is now making 40 new kilts in Polaris Tartan for the United States Naval Academy. They are of 16 ounce wool, and constructed more like a traditional hand sewn kilt. I'd say they are quite a bit like a favorite kilt of mine made by Gaelic Themes of Galsgow. I found the Polaris interesting, I've only seen it in on-line pics before. It is basically Black Watch with a couple of yellow stripes added, somewhat like Gordon, and a narrow blue stripe between. Nothing special.

Higgins has been making kilts since 1983, and employs 12 kilt makers. If you're looking for options, Higgins might be worth phoneing or emailing. By the way, there was a good sized collect of tartan swatch books in the showroom, but they were all by Strathmore. J. Higgins is an easy google, but he website is jhiggins.net.

[OC Richard]

Higgins has become to "go-to" place for kilts and vests for pipe bands out here in the West.

Bands get their vests/waistcoats from them because 1) they're inexpensive 2) they use the same Barathea front and back 3) they come in various lengths and 4) Higgins' service is good.

About kilts, I just got out my Higgins band kilt and it appears to be sturdy and well-made. The lining is nice, there's a deep reverse pleat, a deep 1st pleat, an internal stabiliser, and the pleats are well done. They were able to make a few new kilts which were a perfect match for our older Canadian-made kilts.

On close, very close, inspection I see that the pleats are machine-sewn. This was done on the reverse side so no stitching shows. Personally I don't regard that as a negative, because the back of the kilt looks quite nice.

[Alan H]

I bought a jacket from them and the service was excellent. I'll be going to them for a bespoke jacket sometime in the next few months.

[ShaunMaxwell]

And they have very reasonably priced Mackie bonnets as well!

[Benning Boy]

I, too, thought the bonnets reasonably priced, and placed an order for a fawn one. Higgins seems to keep a low profile, but they've been making kilts longer than others better known here. Interesting. Despite the low profile they must be doing something right to keep 12 kilt makers busy. The shop is in a nice row of businesses but a bit bare, compared to Feedom Kilts and others. It's easy to get to if your ever in the area.

[Mike S]

And they have very reasonably priced Mackie bonnets as well!

It is where I buy all of my Mackie balmorals and glengarries.

[Jack Daw]

My first kilt I bought second hand from a piper buddy who bought it from J. Higgins. And, my argyll jacket with waistcoat, kilt belt, semi-formal sporran, and ghillie brogues I bought from them as well - All dependable goods that I am still satisfied with.

[OC Richard]

My only thing about Higgins is that the cut of some of their jackets looks odd to me.



(This image just now grabbed from their site.)

Were I to see somebody wearing this I would think it was a conversion, due to the odd disconnect in "line" between the upper and lower halves. Maybe nobody else sees this, I guess it comes from seeing thousands of Scottish-made kilt jackets over the last 40 years.

I want to see a flowing line, nice elegant curves, the whole jacket integrated in form and proportion, like this

[Jack Daw]

Luckily, my argyll doesn't fit like that first pic. I had a tailor take my measurements, which I sent in.

[The Q]

If you buy their value kilts you're going to be a bit drippy.....

"Value Kilts (Poly Viscous)"

Every single page advertising them, is incorrectly spelt Viscous not Viscose!

I don't spell everything correctly but that's a bit obvious..