Jackets by J Higgins??

[orangehaggis]

I'm considering J Higgins for some cut, make, trim work on some tweed I've got laying about. Can anyone give me a detailed review on their argyll jackets? Are they constructed or no? Are there any reasons I should shy away from this firm?

Thanks!

Mark - Ohio

[ForresterModern]

I'm considering J Higgins for some cut, make, trim work on some tweed I've got laying about. Can anyone give me a detailed review on their argyll jackets? Are they constructed or no? Are there any reasons I should shy away from this firm?

Thanks!

Mark - Ohio

I have a custom made Barathea wool Argyll that fits well and looks great. I also just got a tweed Argyll two days ago from them which also fits well but doesn't quite have the same body to the fabric and build----just doesn't seem as solid a fabric as the barathea. Still a nice jacket---no issues with the tailoring.

fm

[beloitpiper]

The search feature is your friend:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/j...x.html?t=35703

[JS Sanders]

Orangehaggis -

Higgins' off-the-shelf items are of decent quality and certainly look presentable in social settings. You'd most likely be pleased with your purchase. They keep costs down by using medium quality fabrics. Nothing wrong with that, large franchised retailers have been doing that for many decades.

I wear a daycoat or Argyll jacket several times per week in the course of my occupation. They're replaced less frequently if I purchase the best quality on the market.

For those who plan to wear Higgins' informal jackets but several times per year, you'll find the styling & quality to be more than sufficient.

Slainte yall,
steve

[orangehaggis]

Beloit - I asked the question on the thread you linked to but it never received a detailed reply. That's why I posted the question again as a separate thread.

Steve: If I could impose upon you, could you tell me what it is you don't like about the Higgins jackets? As I would provide my own fabric, fabric quality isn't a consideration. Do they lack construction? If the fabric is of a lighter weight, stiffening is a must for the jacket to hold a decent shape.

I look forward to reading your replies!

Mark - Ohio

[JS Sanders]

For me, it's the fabric that results in the jacket being put into retirement. Higher quality fabrics don't wear as quickly.

Again, lemme say I wear Argyll jackets frequently. As far as construction, they're well-sewn. I've never had any of their seams come apart or show signs of poor craftmanship. They fit my frame quite well and never required altering.

That said, I do not care for their Argyll jacket button attachment method. The buttons are not directly sewn to the garment. Instead, a hole is punched into the fabric, the stem of the button passed thru, then secured from below with key-ring like piece passed thru the stem. This is done underneath the lining. And they do this on their matching waistcoats too.

For both, the buttons are prone to come out completely and are apt to be lost if one doesn't notice. This happens much more frequently with the waistcoat.

I've been told this is to facilitate button removal for drycleaning and is typical amongst manufacturers. The occasions I had those jackets cleaned, the shop didn't bother to remove the buttons, nor was there damage to the buttons or jacket.

I've never purchased a daywear jacket from Higgins, so can't say if that's typical for them as well. I have a tweed daywear purchased at a Scottish kilt shop and it's buttons are sewn on.

Any of this help?

Slainte,
steve

[orangehaggis]

Indeed, it does! By construction, however, I mean the interior stiffening of the garment. In really, really, really good jackets, this is horsehair canvas. In poor quality jackets, it's a polyester material called fusible interfacing that has glue applied to it. The manufacturer then irons this to the underside of the fabric (the part the lining will hide) in the appropriate areas of the jacket.

I rather like the ring method of attaching buttons. I usually replace an Argyll's buttons with my own, and this method of attachment makes the job much faster. On my black Argyll, I've got reproduction Royal Provincials (name applied to the militias that fought for the King in the American Revolution) buttons!

On the tweed Argylls I used to own, both of Scottish manufacture, the buttons were sewn on as well. This is likely the case with J Higgins as the imitation stag antler buttons they employ are made to be sewn on.

Mark - Ohio

[billmcc]

...I also just got a tweed Argyll two days ago from them which also fits well but doesn't quite have the same body to the fabric and build----just doesn't seem as solid a fabric as the barathea. Still a nice jacket---no issues with the tailoring.

fm

I am thinking about getting a daywear (tweed) jacket from Higgins. Could you post a picture of your tweed jacket?

[orangehaggis]

Yes, I should like to see that, myself. The fabric I have is in a check of a scale that might compete with my tartan. However, I've seen many country gentlemen wear all sorts of clashing patterns before. If anything, it will just further my aspirations of being regarded as an eccentric.

Mark - Ohio

[JS Sanders]

<< I mean the interior stiffening of the garment >>

Your question has exceeded my ability to answer, though I would hazard to guess the construction of the Higgins Argyll jacket likely lies between the two extremes you described.

Slainte,
steve