For me, it's the fabric that results in the jacket being put into retirement. Higher quality fabrics don't wear as quickly.

Again, lemme say I wear Argyll jackets frequently. As far as construction, they're well-sewn. I've never had any of their seams come apart or show signs of poor craftmanship. They fit my frame quite well and never required altering.

That said, I do not care for their Argyll jacket button attachment method. The buttons are not directly sewn to the garment. Instead, a hole is punched into the fabric, the stem of the button passed thru, then secured from below with key-ring like piece passed thru the stem. This is done underneath the lining. And they do this on their matching waistcoats too.

For both, the buttons are prone to come out completely and are apt to be lost if one doesn't notice. This happens much more frequently with the waistcoat.

I've been told this is to facilitate button removal for drycleaning and is typical amongst manufacturers. The occasions I had those jackets cleaned, the shop didn't bother to remove the buttons, nor was there damage to the buttons or jacket.

I've never purchased a daywear jacket from Higgins, so can't say if that's typical for them as well. I have a tweed daywear purchased at a Scottish kilt shop and it's buttons are sewn on.

Any of this help?

Slainte,
steve