Jackets on Ebay

[Dangerdean]

Some time within the next six months I'd like to get an Argyll jacket. I know I could go to any number of Xmarks advertisers, or our local shop, and drop $400 for a black barathea jacket, or jacket/vest combo, and I'd know it would last me.

However, I've seen Ebay vendors selling black barathea Argyll jackets for under $200 and I wondered if any of you had experience with these. The Fife Kilt Company was one that jumped out, but there were others. Is this a situation where you get what you pay for (i.e. crap) or are these guys just making a good deal on ex-hire merchandise?

[CMcG]

I've never heard of the Fife Kilt Company, but ex-hire or second hand jackets on eBay can definitely help you save some cash while getting a decent product. It is best if the maker/brand of the jacket is reputable and you get actual measurements, rather than just going by a generic size.

[OC Richard]

Ebay can be a great resource, but you have to be careful and know what you're looking for.

All of my kilt jackets were got off Ebay for between $75 and $125 each:

- a wonderful vintage tweed Argyll made of high-quality tweed and showing very nice tailoring
- a black Argyll of a higher quality than I've ever seen before, the cloth having a luxurious soft feel to it
- a nicely made Prince Charlie

All of these jackets are nicer than anything I've seen on sale at our local Highland Games.

I look for smaller Scottish sellers, individuals or small shops, selling vintage clothing. Or I look for kilt hire shops selling ex-hire clothing.

Beware of the big firms selling clothing made in India or Pakistan. And it's recently got a bit more complicated, because there are low-price kilt hire shops in Scotland now who hire clothing made in India or Pakistan! In the old days ex-hire stuff was always high quality Scottish-made stuff.

[madmacs]

Fabric weight and construction are likely to vary between cheap and reasonably priced...

My Moss Bros. Argyll was significantly better quality than my Geoffrey (pakistan) prince charlie...

One thing you might want to consider is how much use you'll get of it, if youre going to use it often and for many years, the extra few $$ might be well worth it...

[Nick the DSM]

Going to agree with OC on this. You can use ebay, but I'd suggest looking for vintage or a small scottish vendor that is selling. I picked up a vintage argyll jacket for about 100 USD. Perfect shape.

[unixken]

And as always, watch the postings here on XMTS. Members are often posting clothing they'd like to sell (usually when someone has gained or lost some weight and the items no longer fit properly.) I've picked up both an Argyll, and a lovely Braemar, in excellent condition, here in just that way.

[Nik]

I have a question. I've been keeping my eye on a few argyll jackets on ebay. But compounded with the obvious fact that you can get poor quality looking to save money on ebay I looked at a few more well known site. Ones such is SportKilt.com, and looked at their jacket.

Has anyone had any experience with their jacket. At $200, it's in the middle of the road as far as I'm considerned. Have any of the members here bought one, what's the quality like, the fit? If it's a good option I'd like to keep it on the list of things to get to make a formal outfit with a kilt. Though honestly I like the look of the Kilkenny, but USAK and others have it for $100+ extra and that's a steep difference currently.

Thanks for any input.

-Nik

P.S. Sorry if I'm high-jacking the thread.