FYI: Gordon nicholson ex-hire sale

[scratchy]

my own more conservative approach would be to make such purchases of used clothing at Highland Games or similar events where I could eyeball them and even try them on.

That would have been my preferred approach as well, but since the downturn of 2008ish and then covid, the vendors as well as Games have thinned horrifically. All the Games around me involve a long drive, and the last few I've attended I felt weren't worth the ride anymore.

Though I would like to go to Tucson someday.


Regarding my order, I got the confirmation and charges quickly, but still haven't received a shipping notification. I saw(and I'm puzzled by)their statement that in stock items may take two weeks to ship? Anyone have insight why that is?

[OC Richard]

I would like to go to Tucson someday.

I would have been at the Phoenix Games today, but they were cancelled.

And here in California our San Diego Games have been cancelled too.

It's sad.

[scratchy]

I would have been at the Phoenix Games today, but they were cancelled.

I had no idea they were today(car issues forbid it anyway). Just thought they were usually in early March.

[OC Richard]

I had no idea they were today(car issues forbid it anyway). Just thought they were usually in early March.

This year was going to be a new venue as well, they just couldn't make it happen.

[SF Jeff]

I would have been at the Phoenix Games today, but they were cancelled.

And here in California our San Diego Games have been cancelled too.

It's sad.

Had no idea about Vista. I was on their website about 3 months ago looking at the piping school and there was no mention of the games being cancelled. I've been a few times but it was never on my "must do" list. Logistically a pain with the parking and shuttle and all. Hopefully it's temporary and they can find a new site for next year.

[scratchy]

Taken far too long to update(work, health, life, etc), and I'm going off fuzzy memories.

The order took almost a month to the day of order to receiving. Was probably folded nicely when packaged(just placed in a box), but considering distance, not bad. Minimal communication, all messages seemed to be of a 'form' type. Think I gave them an extra few days after the projected ship date before I sent an inquiry. Got back a canned "We're busy fulfilling customer orders and busy rental season, contact soon" type response. Day or two later I got the shipping notification and tracking number. Almost a week later it was at my door.

While I was waiting, I began getting the feeling that they'd ship a 52L jacket with a 52R vest, which is what happened. Given the price, shipping hassel and 'all sales final', I just sighed in disappointment, and decided against fussing. The jacket fits well, the vest maybe a little short. There's no one around to take a photo and I lack a suitable mirror for DIY. I'll try to take photos of the fabric at least, and the one or two labels on them.

[OC Richard]

Was probably folded nicely when packaged (just placed in a box), but considering distance, not bad.

I've often had jackets and kilts arrive from the UK just put in a plastic bag.

Though it seems a bit dodgy I've never experienced damages.

I began getting the feeling that they'd ship a 52L jacket with a 52R vest, which is what happened.

This could be a very good thing!

Why? Because the waistline of men's clothing has been dropping for many years.

Highland Dress, at least UK-made Highland Dress, has been less impacted than "Saxon" clothing, still men (especially American men) have been ordering kilts shorter and shorter and therefore requiring waistcoats to be lower and lower.

All waistcoats, "Saxon" suit waistcoats, used to be the length that most UK-made Highland waistcoats still are. But due to waistline-dropping "Saxon" waistcoats in "Regular" length are generally two to four inches longer than most UK-made Highland waistcoats.

Still, I've recently seen bespoke kilt jackets of the highest quality come with waistcoats an inch or two longer than traditional waistcoats are. It's the fashion now.

So a shorter waistcoat could be a blessing IF you wear your kilts at the traditional height (not blue-jeans and modern trousers height) and IF the maker of your kilt waistcoat has uniformly lengthened all their sizes.

[OC Richard]

Here's the lowering of men's waistline I mentioned.

The older one, coming to the "natural waist", is still how traditional style kilts, kilt jackets, and their waistcoats are made.

The newer one has been increasingly adopted by kilt-wearers recently, especially in the USA.

[SF Jeff]

I've often had jackets and kilts arrive from the UK just put in a plastic bag.

Same here. An Argyll jacket stuffed (not even rolled) into a thin plastic bag (think 4 gal trash bag) and shipped from Scotland. Got here just fine with no damage and the shipping was free, so I can't complain.

Regarding Nicholson, I had a different experience. After this thread first appeared, I went to their website and browsed the used hire items. I emailed them with some questions about sizing on a few jackets and vests. The initial response took about a week and had the "sorry we're very busy now" line, but with that email and a few follow ups, they were very responsive and answered every question I had, even measuring a few items and sending me the exact measurements, overall condition and their opinion on what would fit me and what wouldn't. In the end I didn't buy anything, but i thought the customer service was very good.

BTW they are next door to, and either own or are invested in, Kilberry bagpipes. They make custom tartan bag covers if black velvet doesn't appeal to you.

[OC Richard]

BTW they are next door to, and either own or are invested in, Kilberry bagpipes. They make custom tartan bag covers if black velvet doesn't appeal to you.

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