Jackets: what'sthe diff?

[flyv65]

Okay people: I've looked in shops and boutiques; searched websites and scanned web-warehouses; studied pictures and scrutinized downloads without sucess. My question remains this: is there truly such variance in material and craftsmanship to justify prices ranging from $225 to $600 for a Prince Charlie jacket? From what I've seen the bulk of these jackets are made from similar weight baratea wool (with the heavier not always being the more expensive); is this a case of "you get what you pay for" or is it "good marketing"? Don't get me wrong-I'm not adverse to saving up and spending money; but I won't spend money for a name or image in lieu of a quality product, or if there is no appreciable difference.

Bryan...displaying my ignorance to the right people...

[Sherry]

One would assume it would have to do with the quality of the materials & the workmanship.

There are various quialities of wool, & polyester or acetate may be subsituted for silk on the lapels.

Quality workmanship involves much more hand sewing & takes longer to complete. Also, the more expensive jackets should be at least semi-tailored, if not made-to-measure.

Sherry

[macwilkin]

One would assume it would have to do with the quality of the materials & the workmanship.

There are various quialities of wool, & polyester or acetate may be subsituted for silk on the lapels.

Quality workmanship involves much more hand sewing & takes longer to complete. Also, the more expensive jackets should be at least semi-tailored, if not made-to-measure.

Sherry

Excellent points, Sherry -- you really do "get what you pay for". When I buy an article of clothing from a long-established business, such as Brooks Brothers, T.M. Lewin, Barbour, L.L. Bean, etc., then I know that I am dealing with a reputable company that has worked for many years to establish a quality reputation behind it -- and that's not to say that newer firms do not, but it gives a peace of mind that I am spending my money wisely.

Cheers,

Todd

[Blu (Ontario)]

If a PC jacket is what floats your boat... go for the real deal but, as Todd suggests, buy a quality product and from a reputible dealer. Like a quality kilt... it should last a lifetime. A while back, I saved up my nickles and bought a genuine "made in Scotland" argyll jacket because I felt the PC was just a bit too formal for most functions or venues that I attend. The quality and detailing was well worth the $450 I shelled out for it. And while I only wear it perhaps 6 or 7 times a year, that's still much more than I would be inclined to wear a suit!!

[Rick]

I recently visited the Hector Russell shop in Toronto to purchase some jackets and a kilt. If you check out their web site:

http://www.hector-russell.ca/index.html

you will notice that they offer two black Argyll jackets, one for $550 CAD and the other for $395 CAD. They are both fine quality jackets, indeed, I purchased a green/blue Lovat jacket at the lower price point. However for the black Argyll, I opted for the more expensive version. It was noticeably better quality and fit. The difference was immediately obvious when I donned the jacket.

Rick

[lrpddrummie]

As the Quarter Master for my pipe band I spend a lot of time searching sites when I need to buy something and I too have sat there dazed and confused over the wide range of prices. The best conclusion that I came to is whether or not the company in question made the garment themselves or did they buy and simply resell it taking into considerations quality and the level of tailoring. I have found many of the lower cost jackets are off the shelf with little to no tailoring. After exhaustive searches for band uniforms I have settled on J Higgins as the bands main supplier. The staff is very knowledgeable and the quality of their products are outstanding and the prices are quite reasonable. I have ordered kilts, spats, sporrans, hose, and doublets from them. A good example of their level of quality when I ordered the first set of kilts from them not only did they ask for the traditional measurements but asked for additional measurement that no other kilt maker (with the exception of Ann Stewart) has asked for and it shows when you see these kilts next to some of the older kilts. They even asked for photographs, front and back, of one of our kilts so that there was no doubts when matching them up to the older kilts. Lastly, I just received my new doublet and all I can say is WOW!!!!

www.jhiggins.net