J Higgins Ltd. - Kansas

[macwilkin]

Anyone tried their argyle (matched to tartan) hose? At $45 they seem like a good deal.

http://www.jhiggins.net/catalog/hose_argyle.html

Beware -- Higgins argyle hose have a bad habit of "growing beards", even after following "care and feeding" instructions.

T.

[ForresterModern]

My first kilt and Black Barathea Argyll and vest and grey tweed Argyll and vest, along with all the other basic accoutrements, were bought from Higgins this past winter and all, except for the belt, fit and look great. They sent one of those adjustable belts with teh inside strap and buckle, which was way too big and had to be modified by a leatherman I ran into at a highland games. Price was competitive and no customs or taxes of anykind since I was out of state.

The inexpensive tartan hose you find still on the internet are actually from an older listing catalogue and are no longer available, specifically because they were not very good quality and did not last long.

[zeeew]

Got my first and so far only tank from them about 2 years ago, looks great to me. Seems to be straight, pleats aligned well. Also got my Gillies from them, quite pleased with them. Lightweight, soft sole. Not bad to put a few miles on them during parade piping duty.

Higgins pros:
good price.
good emails with questions I had about tartans,
weight, pleating questions etc (preorder)

cons:
in phone conversations, seem a touch impatient. Had to exchange gillies for 1 size difference. They were quick shipping and no problems with exchange, other than seemed somewhat "non friendy" on phone.
Simple emails thanking them for the, in my opinion fantastic job on kilt and flashes, no reply. Not serious, and they may have been just plain busy.

Would I consider having my next kilt made by them? Definately yes.

Eric

[Panzer]

I've had Higgins referred to me at several Ren Faire's... I have yet to purchase anything from them, though...

[george7]

Prices are good. They're good for getting your pipe band uniform together. It's where two of the pipe band's that I've been gets most of their kilts and jackets. I've heard of woes to do with their brogues.... if possible, get footwear somewhere you can try it on.

[Jack Daw]

Oh, I have purchased so many things from J.Higgins, I may not even be able to recall everything. One of my kilts, a horsehair sporran, a plain military leather sporran, several pair of hose (including argyll), a glengarry, a couple of hackles, two pair of ghillie brogues, a belt pouch, etc.

[JerseyLawyer]

They are certainly a major band supplier. My kilt from them is probably ten or twelve years old now. Still going strong.

I have heard (and I think this thread mentioned) that they had some quality problems for a while with the kilts, but there seem to be differing opinions.

I've ordered a ton of stuff from them over the years, and have been happy in general. Their jackets are cut even smaller than the normal run of Scottish straightjackets, though.

[KiltedDawg]

I've ordered several accessories from them and been very pleased with their service.