FYI: Gordon nicholson ex-hire sale

**scratchy** · 9th February 25, 08:45 AM

Just ordered a Holyrood tweed jacket and vest. This might be my first international order; hope it goes well.

https://nicolsonkiltmakers.com/colle...ts-and-jackets

**jsrnephdoc** · 13th February 25, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by scratchy

Just ordered a Holyrood tweed jacket and vest. This might be my first international order; hope it goes well.

Let us know. Admittedly, the "price of admission" for several of those items may itself justify some risk taking, but my own more conservative approach would be to make such purchases of used clothing at Highland Games or similar events where I could eyeball them and even try them on. I did notice one thing: if you're in the market for Trews, the consistent pricing for them suggests they've had gentle lives (meaning not much use) in the "hire" marketplace.

One SURPRISE for me came while looking through those trews (my son has a pair in Robertson Red dark, and they look great on him, but I think would just advise others to choose me last in a pick-up basketball game).

A few years ago, several Scottish National Health Service nurses participated in the design of a charitable fund-raising tartan, the "Nursing Tartan" one element of the design being that it contain the colors of the National Health Service uniforms they wore. One provision of its use (ALL of which was to be through Gordon Nicolson's shop) was that because there was to be a charitable contribution included in every one of the limited range of products on offer, the fabric could not be sold uncommited to one of those specific uses, meaning, for example, that it could not be used for kilts (OR trews). Apparently, that's not ACTUALLY the case. And, I think that anyone fond of the Princess Diana tartan would also be fond of this; it has a similar pleasing palette of pastels. It was woven by Lochcarron, and I've heard rumors that more fabric is on the way. MY spouse would LOVE a Nursing Tartan ladies kilt, because she is SO proud of her years as a hospital RN in the US (and because we both agree that it's beautiful).

**Tomo** · 14th February 25, 05:28 AM

One of the better outfitters in Edinburgh - I always pop in when I am in town

**CBH** · 14th February 25, 10:59 AM

And they even do pockets

https://nicolsonkiltmakers.com/products/kilt-pockets

I just can't imagine anyone wanting those hideous things visible on their kilt though !!

**scratchy** · 15th February 25, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by jsrnephdoc

my own more conservative approach would be to make such purchases of used clothing at Highland Games or similar events where I could eyeball them and even try them on.

That would have been my preferred approach as well, but since the downturn of 2008ish and then covid, the vendors as well as Games have thinned horrifically. All the Games around me involve a long drive, and the last few I've attended I felt weren't worth the ride anymore.

Though I would like to go to Tucson someday.

Regarding my order, I got the confirmation and charges quickly, but still haven't received a shipping notification. I saw(and I'm puzzled by)their statement that in stock items may take two weeks to ship? Anyone have insight why that is?

**OC Richard** · 15th February 25, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by scratchy

I would like to go to Tucson someday.

I would have been at the Phoenix Games today, but they were cancelled.

And here in California our San Diego Games have been cancelled too.

It's sad.

**OC Richard** · 15th February 25, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by jsrnephdoc

...some risk taking...my own more conservative approach would be to make such purchases of used clothing at Highland Games or similar events where I could eyeball them and even try them on.

Yes that's ideal but none of the Games I attend have much in the way of used Highland jackets.

Happily I'm an easy-to-fit size and I know if I buy a jacket it will fit, so these online ex-hire sales are great for me.

**scratchy** · 15th February 25, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

I would have been at the Phoenix Games today, but they were cancelled.

I had no idea they were today(car issues forbid it anyway). Just thought they were usually in early March.

**OC Richard** · 16th February 25, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by scratchy

I had no idea they were today(car issues forbid it anyway). Just thought they were usually in early March.

This year was going to be a new venue as well, they just couldn't make it happen.

**jsrnephdoc** · 16th February 25, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Yes that's ideal but none of the Games I attend have much in the way of used Highland jackets.

Happily I'm an easy-to-fit size and I know if I buy a jacket it will fit, so these online ex-hire sales are great for me.

I picked up a Prince Charlie at the Bitterroot Highland Games in Hamilton, MT 4 years ago, discovered at a used clothing kiosk along the vendor mall in the very last few minutes of our visit, and while I was browsing, my son found a matching PC Waistcoat at ANOTHER vendor.

I don't have many occasions where wearing a PC is necessary or even recommended, retired and living far from big cities, but the combo has come off my rack and onto my body at least half a dozen times since then. I probably spent no more than 20% of what I would have for a new (non-Pakistani) properly made off-the-rack jacket and vest, but every time I wear it I wonder a bit if other people notice signs of its heritage. For example, the black satin lapels are just a bit but obviously wrinkled, and my guess is that stems from repetitive post-rent dry cleaning. Also, the sleeves were just TOO tapered from shoulder to wrist, and a bit too long, but I have a VERY skilled local seamstress who shaped and shortened the cuffs so that my 3-Robertson-beast-crest cufflinks fit and protrude nicely.

And, although I wear it rarely, it's the one item that, were I to replace it, I'd probably do so with a jacket sourced from one of the high end shops in Scotland where I could have it tailored or altered to fit perfectly.

(and, check out today's other posts for a question about what's acceptable at the other end of the body from the kilt hose).

But I also have a few related questions for people who have experience with ex-hire garments:

First, how do mainline shops; e.g., Gordon Nicolson, manage their inventory? Is cleaning (or washing) and pressing after EACH rental customary?

Second (and noting the varying pricing for seemingly identical garments), what stimulates that variation? Is it more likely that there's just one or two items left for a tartan that the shop has decided to suspend from availability, or is it more likely that an an offer garment is in such an odd size that it is likely to languish (take up space in the shop) for a LONG, long time? Or is it more likely a reliable index of the condition of the garment?