Kilgour US vs Kilgour UK

[clintonf]

Hi all, I have seen a Kilgour suit for sale on Ebay and the listing states that it was made in the US. Now, me being completely ignorant of Kilgour (apart from the little I read on this site), I have no idea whether there are major differences between the US made and the UK made items.

Would anyone care to enlighten me? If I were to purchase the US Kilgour, would it make that much of a difference, in comparison to the UK counterpart?

I am simply trying to ascertain whether there is a difference, rather than imply that one is inferior to the other.

I'd really appreciate prompt replies as I wouldn't want the suit to go (which is what happened the last time I posted an enquiry thread).

Thanking you in advance

Clint

[shoefan]

The Kilgour US stuff is made under license and is sold, as far as I can tell, seemingly exclusively in Barney's outlet stores. It is mediocre at best. I cannot comment on the Kilgour UK RTW stuff but have to believe it is better than the US stuff.

[jekv12]

I have an old KFS suit (early 80's?) that I purchased at Boyd's, Philadelphia. When I really got into all this, I tracked down the manufacturer - Greif Brothers. Don't know if they are still around, if they still make KFS suits. The suit has held up well.

Somewhere, I think I still have a letter from the managing director of KFS in Savile Row, responding to a letter I wrote before my first trip to London.

[clintonf]

Thanks for your answers. I decide to purchase the suit (It cost £34 including delivery to the UK).

I will have to have the suit altered, but I was wondering whether i've made a "bad" purchased?

I'd welcome any other thoughts.

Clint

[RJman]

Kilgour licensed its name to Barneys New York in the 80s or so. Barneys had the suits made by IAG and, IIRC, in Canada by someone else. The suits were OK; can't remember if fused or not; I do remember that Kilgour had little design input or control and thus that the suits did not appear particularly British in styling. Barneys came to use them simply as a line which sold only when on sale/at outlets, and a few years ago (circa 2000) stopped selling this line. Kilgour relaunched itself two years ago. Since then, it is once again sold at Barneys, but I believe the stuff is the same quality and design as that sold in the UK, which is supposedly very nice stuff indeed. Most of the Kilgour stuff on ebay is the old licensed stuff made for Barneys.

[clintonf]

Kilgour licensed its name to Barneys New York in the 80s or so. Barneys had the suits made by IAG and, IIRC, in Canada by someone else. The suits were OK; can't remember if fused or not; I do remember that Kilgour had little design input or control and thus that the suits did not appear particularly British in styling. Barneys came to use them simply as a line which sold only when on sale/at outlets, and a few years ago (circa 2000) stopped selling this line. Kilgour relaunched itself two years ago. Since then, it is once again sold at Barneys, but I believe the stuff is the same quality and design as that sold in the UK, which is supposedly very nice stuff indeed. Most of the Kilgour stuff on ebay is the old licensed stuff made for Barneys.


Thanks RJMan. Is there anyway that one could tell whether it's the old Barney's stuff? I haven't got the suit in my possession, but i'm curious to know whether there's a way to identify the manufacturer?

Many thanks again

Clint

[medwards]

Did not the old Barney's ware have the "Kilgour French Stanbury" label inside? That would not be the case currently.

As has been noted, Kilgour had a licensing agreement with the Pressman family for almost 30 years, but that expired in 2000. In 2001, Individualized Apparel Group signed a license with Kilgour to manufacture and wholesale men's tailored suits, jackets, shirts and ties here in the United States. The label at that time was still "Kilgour French Stanbury," but Kilgour has subsequently become simply that: "Kilgour."

[clintonf]

Did not the old Barney's ware have the "Kilgour French Stanbury" label inside? That would not be the case currently.

As has been noted, Kilgour had a licensing agreement with the Pressman family for almost 30 years, but that expired in 2000. In 2001, Individualized Apparel Group signed a license with Kilgour to manufacture and wholesale men's tailored suits, jackets, shirts and ties here in the United States. The label at that time was still "Kilgour French Stanbury," but Kilgour has subsequently become simply that: "Kilgour."


Thank you kindly MEdwards. If what you say is accurate (and I have absolutely no reason to doubt you), then I have purchased an old Barney's Kilgour suit.

I have included a picture of the label inside the suit to support my statement.

http://www.postmaster.co.uk/fs/cgf/Public/Kilgour%20Label.jpg


Many thanks to all who's helped me understand the differences.

Regards

Clint

[chobochobo]

I have a KFS navy DB suit which is fine but nothing special. I bought it off ebay too, thinking/hoping it'd be a bit better, but nothing specific to complain about.

[RJman]

I have included a picture of the label inside the suit to support my statement.http://www.postmaster.co.uk/fs/cgf/Public/Kilgour%20Label.jpgThe "New York" is a giveaway. I don't think their British-market suits ever had that on the label, although I welcome any corrections.

[clintonf]

Once again, thank you all for the information that you've offered. I just hope that it's a decent suit for £34. I shall let you know my thoughts when it arrives.

Good evening all

Clint