Shopping on the Royal Mile

**KennyB** · 9th August 04, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by Hamish

My choice above all others would be Geoffrey (Tailor) Ltd at 57-59 High Street (Part of the Royal Mile), right next to John Knox's House. This is a highly reputable kiltmaker whose prices are fair and which remain constant across all their branches.
.......Shop carefully and you'll be fine, but question the Sales Assistants as to the origins of the jackets. Feel and compare the fabrics as you would with any item of clothing anywhere - you can tell the difference between quality and tat, I am sure! Believe me, genuine kiltmakers on The Royal Mile, or anywhere else, are not going to rip you off - but, as in any large city, there are sharks who import rubbish from overseas.

Much as I fear disputing anything said by Hamish (I've been lurking on this board for months) reading this made my blood boil so much I've just had to join this board to reply!

Last year I bought a jacket from Geoffrey Tailor which was far from the cheapest around but I thought I'd be getting quality. As suggested, I even asked them if it was made in Scotland and not an import from India or wherever the junk ones come from. They told me it was indeed hand-made in Scotland. Even when new I was a little disappointed with the fit. But far worse was that within weeks it was starting to split at the seams.

On my next trip to Edinburgh I returned it and demanded a refund, which they gave me without much fuss. But whilst moaning to the sales assistant, it 'came out' (I think they were a bit disgruntled!) that the jacket was not in fact made in Scotland at all! Apparently they import them from overseas and then just sew their own buttons and labels on. This means they can legally describe them as made in Scotland!

This may be legal, but in my book it's anything but reputable. If I hadn't been in a hurry I'd have kicked up a hell of a stink, and now I wish I had. I've been fuming about it ever since. I especially hate that I was effectively lied to an conned, even when I asked them a direct question. How can anyone trust a firm like that? So I think Hamish should know about this and maybe ask them some pointed questions next time he's in touch with his favourite firm. Because in my book they're a bunch of dishonest sharks.

**Graham** · 9th August 04, 07:43 AM

May I have the honour of being the first to welcome you Kenny to our humble abode in cyberspace.

The issue you speak of has obviously motivated you to 'come out' from lurking, and I'm glad you did.

Thanks for your story, it's pretty heavy and very sad for those who really want the real Scottish article.

**bubba** · 9th August 04, 08:00 AM

Welcome Kenny. What you broght up is all too common everywhere, especially in the US. To qualify as "Made in USA" all they have to do is add a label and maybe buttons. The sad fact is that little is really made in the US anymore at all. At best it might be assembled here. I wouldn't be surprised if the same situation exists in the UK. The name of the game is profits. That means having products made where labor is cheap rather than paying a living wage to domestic labor. It's a corporate world.

**Casey** · 9th August 04, 08:04 AM

This is exactly why I perfer small businesses that are proud of their product and down right honest.

Bearkilts, for example.

Casey

**KennyB** · 9th August 04, 08:05 AM

Thanks Graham. I've been meaning to start joining in for a while. I guess it took me getting hot under the collar to get motivated. Sorry if it's a downer. I'm usually a pretty upbeat person. And FWIW I too have no complaints about Hector Russell who I've used in the past too. I also had a really good experience recently from a web operation (whose name I've just forgotten!)

Now I just have to work out how to add my pic to the board like you guys.

**Freelander Sporrano** · 9th August 04, 08:17 AM

Welcome Kenny from me in Norway.

Just take a pic from your pc and upload it to your gallery page. Even I could do that.

**Graham** · 9th August 04, 08:27 AM

I've been meaning to start joining in for a while.

Well I'm glad you took the plunge, while I am very biased, I believe this is the best place in cyberspace to be for those who love the kilt and want to share with likeminded brethren-of-the-kilt.