Hickey Freeman Madison suits--fused?

[keggythekeg]

I had recently purchased a HF Madison suit from a retailer for about $550. I thought I had done my due dilligence--I was under the impression that it was fully canvassed. I took it to a tailor today to get some work done, and he was (1) impressed that a kid who knew nothing about suits (i didn't know anything, despite reading up on stuff here) had a HF and (2) disappointed that a label like HF would put out fused stuff. And I'm like, wtf, but who am I to contradict an 80 year old tailor--he seemed to know his stuff.

So I just wanted a definitive confirmation. HF Madison--fused or canvassed? if former, ripoff at $550?

 

[johnny_flapjack]

They make both.

 

[knittieguy]

My understanding was that the Ltd line was fused but the regular HF Madison models were canvassed.

 

[Flimsychicken]

I own four Madisons with the new gray label and they are all fully canvassed. I also own a HF Ltd. (with the white label) and it basically the Madison (but with no tag calling it "Madison") and it is fused.

I am 99% sure that HF does not make a fused suit with the gray label.

That said, if you paid $550 for a HF Ltd. glue job, then yes I say ripoff. For a Mainline (gray label) fully canvassed, not a bad deal if it fits well for you.

 

[keggythekeg]

gray label, marked "madison".
so it's just time to find a new tailor, huh?

 

[stickonatree]

why don't you just search for the pinch test and see for yourself? it's not that hard to tell if something's canvassed.

 

[keggythekeg]

oh the dude showed me and i still couldn't tell *shrug*

 

[jefferyd]

Half canvas. The canvas they use for that line is pretty soft so it's hard to tell by the pinch test.

 

[jcriswel]

OK... here is my contribution to this thread. I bought this Hickey Feeman Madison at the Neiman Marcus Last Call in Dallas, Texas last year. I paid $275 for the suit. It is FULLY CANVASED and it is one of the best suits that I own. Say what you want about other value purchases, but for me this was the best!

 

[knittieguy]

Originally Posted by keggythekeg

oh the dude showed me and i still couldn't tell *shrug*

Did he open it up or just do the pinch test? I find Hickeys are hard to tell with the pinch test. I have a Madison that is fully canvassed but it is a lot harder to separate the layers than for my other canvassed suits.

 

[heard546]

I am glad you shared this information. I have HF LTD suit, and I couldn't determine if it was fused or not. Now, I know.

-tony