The Reddit community regards Harris Tweed as one of the gold standards of BIFL fabric, with near-universal praise for its exceptional durability and quality. It is frequently cited as a material capable of outlasting the owner's changing body shape or being passed down through generations. The main caveat is that Harris Tweed is a certified fabric, not a single brand, so quality of the finished garment depends on construction and the maker.
Harris Tweed fabric is consistently described as genuinely generational in durability, with the only practical caveats being climate suitability and the need to choose a well-constructed garment from a reputable maker.
Community members consistently praise Harris Tweed for its extraordinary longevity, ruggedness, and timeless style, with multiple commenters noting jackets and garments lasting decades or being passed between owners still in good condition.
Criticisms are minor and practical rather than quality-related — primarily around weight, warmth in hot climates, and the fact that body shape changes may outlast the garment. Older pieces can also be noticeably scratchy.
One commenter with decades of perspective noted they're still annoyed at themselves for giving away a Harris Tweed car coat from the 1980s — a regret that has lasted longer than most garments would.
A highly upvoted comment captured the central BIFL tension perfectly: a Harris Tweed jacket will last a lifetime, but your body shape will change before it wears out — one user gave theirs away in their 30s and found it fit again in their 50s.
Someone described buying a vintage Harris Tweed hacking jacket at a thrift store for a few dollars, estimating it was already over 80 years old and only then nearing the end of its lifecycle.
A commenter emphasizing its toughness noted that a quality Harris Tweed jacket is durable enough to hunt grouse in the Scottish Highlands and still be passed down through the generations.