Truth in advertising...

[Cowher]

That's not a very hospitable response to a person with 40 odd posts. They may not know 'just how many threads' have debated a particular company or their search-fu may be weak. IN GENERAL (not just singling out any one member), if people want to discuss a topic, I'd like to see them allowed to discuss it without others telling them not to b/c it's been discussed before.

There have been dozens of times when I've heard someone say "Don't wear white hose" and I've thought the same thing to myself... "are they really going to beat this 'white hose' horse again?!?!", but I haven't said anything (excluding this post).

My point is some people have been up here for years (over 7 years and counting for myself). Others are just joining and exploring the 'world of Xmarks'. Let's all try to keep that in mind when we post... especially if someone is new. MOST topics we hash out up here have been discussed before, even ones we think are 'new'.

I'm planning on getting a grey "tweed" jacket and waistecoat from them. I know it will be shall we say not the best but for the two or three times I wear it a year it's worth it to me. I still have a jacket and waistcoat on my wish list made by Lady Chrystal but that will have to stay in my que.

[English Bloke]

You mean Lady Chrystel...

[ForresterModern]

HOS/Gold Bros has a less than stellar history here from a number of members but also many who have had good interactions with them, myself included, although by no means have my dealings with them been sparkling perfect. Customer service has at times been an issue, with slow response times in particular a repeatedly mentioned concern. Another concern has been failure to deliver on the anticipated schedule announced at the time of ordering, often by several months, due to "sourcing" or "supplier" issues. But this is the first time I have heard of the potential for frank false advertising by calling something wool when it was actually polyester (more likely polyviscose---polyester-rayon mixture). Probably accidentally or intentionally mislabeled as such for import duty purposes to bypass significant (around $50US) customs charges that a full 8yd wool kilt would require.

As a cautious shopper I have purchased several items and always felt I got good quality for the price, in kilts, jackets, and tartan material, especially when ordered during one of their better sales (15-25% off retail). But they are also known for foisting a lot of "tartan tat" tourist trap type items of questionable quality and sometimes even more questionable origin on the public, tourists in particular. They have also all but taken over the retail space in the famous Royal Mile in Edinburgh, as well as a chunk of Princes Street below. Lastly, there have been some charges of ethical concerns, particularly one of them allegedly selling unlicensed knock-off Isle of Skye tartan (a registered and copyrighted tartan with some fees associated with its manufacture and sale), along with just some general ethics and business practice concerns from the natives/locals.

Although not advertisers here on the forum they do have a presence here in the person of one Heather MacLain (?spelling) who is a forum member and HOS's customer service lead. If you have an issue contact her directly and she will try to help straighten things out.

[FatherWilliam57]

You will find on a lot of similiar sites that they will advertise a kilt as wool in their banner headline. When you go scroll down into the actual description, somewhere there will be the words, "man made wool" or "wool feel material" or "artificial wool" or "wool blend" I have gone to sites with the "Wool" banner headline and always find the same. Caveat Emptor on all such sites

Question: I have noticed on some advertisements (don't recall who's ads at this moment) the term "new wool." Is this yet another euphemism for material that is less than 100% wool? Thank you!

[CDNSushi]

Question: I have noticed on some advertisements (don't recall who's ads at this moment) the term "new wool." Is this yet another euphemism for material that is less than 100% wool? Thank you!

Not to my knowledge. At least not unless someone's trying to be deceitful.

I am aware of two definitions of "new wool." One is that "new wool" equals "virgin wool" which equals wool that has been spun only once, as opposed to being spun from recycled wool fibers.

Another definition of "new wool" is that it involves a treatment process that makes it less itchy and less liable to shrink... Also called "biopolishing."

Here's more info: http://www.livescience.com/3847-wool-itch-shrink.html

I suspect that 9.9 times out of 10, "new wool" will refer to the first rather than the second definition I listed above.

[davidg]

No. Pure wool should mean just that, 100% pure with nothing added

The U.S. subscribes to the Woolmark specifications so if you want to be absolutely certain then look for the Woolmark, Woolmark Blend and Woolblend symbols. All of the main Scottish mills (Lochcarron, Strathmore, DC Dalgleish and House of Edgar) plus Marton Mills produce tartan in 100% wool that qualifies for the Woolmark label, although the kiltmaker has to be registered to put the label on their kilts

The Woolmark symbol can only be used on products made of 100 percent wool? The Woolmark Blend symbol is for products containing a minimum of 50% new wool, and the Woolblend symbol represents products with 30-49% new wool

Here in Europe we also have safeguards built into the law. If a company advertises their products here as being made from wool then it must be true. If it is not they can be fined. Those safeguards are additional to the Woolmark guarantees

New wool simply describes wool that has never been used before, as opposed to recycled

[RAF]

Rocky, thanks for your diplomacy. (Looking forward to my argyle hose btw :-)
I did manage to find a small tag on the inside of the kilt which lists it as "100% New Wool Made in Scotland," so it would seem that the explanation of listing it as poly for lower duty would apply here. Thanks gents.

[CDNSushi]

Rocky, thanks for your diplomacy. (Looking forward to my argyle hose btw :-)
I did manage to find a small tag on the inside of the kilt which lists it as "100% New Wool Made in Scotland," so it would seem that the explanation of listing it as poly for lower duty would apply here. Thanks gents.

It's getting a little late in the evening for me to do, but perhaps one of our lads has the ambition to do a quick search... There have been a few threads (pun not intended... hahaha... getit? threads?) about how to recognize whether or not you have real wool or a cheap substitute. If I recall correctly, it involved setting fire to a few threads (having removed the from your kilt FIRST though) and watching & smelling for wool's specific combustible properties that acrylic, PV, cotton, or other fabrics will not have...

[seanachie]

Just musing out loud...but is purchasing from them an issue of dollars and cents? I do understand that lacking funds and finding something at bargain price is important at times. I have an argyll jacket I own that I purchased for a special event that falls into that category, purchased from a Pakistani retailer (and not of a dodgy reputation).

Please do not misunderstand, I like specials, sales, bargains and values as much as anyone. But I temper that a little now with a real desire to help out the quality small merchants and artisans that frequent this board and other kilt forums. First off I really grateful to have a job today so have a real appreciation for these folks trying to keep afloat and pay the bills. Second, there are a lot of intangibles these merchants frequently offer beyond the care, dedication, effort and quality they put into work. So as I have grown older and hopefully a little wiser, and at times am willing to spend a little more than Gold Brothers prices to give my custom to some of these great merchants. In fact I have really tried to make it my rule to find a reason not to buy from them before looking elsewhere. This merchant is part of an operation that I just have real issues with.

[Tobus]

It's getting a little late in the evening for me to do, but perhaps one of our lads has the ambition to do a quick search... There have been a few threads (pun not intended... hahaha... getit? threads?) about how to recognize whether or not you have real wool or a cheap substitute. If I recall correctly, it involved setting fire to a few threads (having removed the from your kilt FIRST though) and watching & smelling for wool's specific combustible properties that acrylic, PV, cotton, or other fabrics will not have...

I think I have also heard that you can remove a fiber from the garment and expose it to bleach. If it melts, it's wool. Never tried it, though.