Jos A Bank Harris Tweed for $173...Worth It?

[kentuckyboy]

Jos A Bank is having a big sale on all sportcoats today and tomorrow. I know their quality and styling are generally questionable, but with Harris Tweed the fabric should be good at least. Can anyone comment on the fit of these coats or the quality of construction? Are they worth it at that price?

http://www.josbank.com/menswear/shop...1_10050_101654

 

[rgoldstein]

They're all very full and boxy, but for that money you could have it re-cut for 100 bucks and it still might be a good deal.

 

[cptjeff]

I'm suspicious that those may be those jackets made by he who must not be named.

 

[Marcellionheart]

Originally Posted by cptjeff

I'm suspicious that those may be those jackets made by he who must not be named.

They definitely are.

 

[kentuckyboy]

can someone elaborate?

 

[thenanyu]

I think we are talking about the dude who bought much of the Harris Tweed manufacturing capacity, churned out a bunch of jackets that didn't sell and left everyone for broke.

 

[kentuckyboy]

gotcha. thanks. will probably steer clear, thanks for the input.

 

[HEWSINATOR]

I guess that was enough for Kentuckyboy, but I am still curious of the story.

 

[thenanyu]

Watch the documentary on vimeo: Also available for download in hi-res. http://www.styleforum.net/showpost.p...52&postcount=6 The last set of videos called "tweed".

 

[juvefan]

Originally Posted by HEWSINATOR

I guess that was enough for Kentuckyboy, but I am still curious of the story.

there's a whole bbc documentary on the topic

 

[cptjeff]

Originally Posted by thenanyu

I think we are talking about the dude who bought much of the Harris Tweed manufacturing capacity, churned out a bunch of jackets that didn't sell and left everyone for broke.

Yup, he bought the one large factory left making the stuff (there are two other much smaller ones), refused to make yarn (meaning the fabric can't be woven) for anyone but himself and his line of jackets, and laid everyone off until all of his jackets sell off and he needs to make more. Decimated the entire economy of the hebrides, and basically cut off access to harris tweed in any large amounts, unless one buys his jackets.

If you're at all curious, these videos are rather interesting.
http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=206020

 

[tbs304]

They cannot be all that bad?

 

[cptjeff]

The jackets in and of themselves probably aren't all that bad- just boring colors (which defeats the point of harris tweed, which is best with complex and interesting colors and weaves), and a boring cut. The real problem is in just how evil the guy who makes them has been.