WoolWeenies Club

[KnottedYet]

Just to clarify - I'm not looking for the softest, or a certain weave. I just want it as a running shirt for hot weather.

The Icebreaker Tech T Lite 140's are my other faves...but the Ibex one lasted longer. I wonder if Ibex has a 140 weight.

Mariposa

Call them and ask. I've always been pleased with their phone help. If they don't have exactly what you are looking for, they can suggest something that might fit the bill.

[sundial]

Ordered the Indie crew in salsa. Couldn't resist the color.

[mariposa]

A company rep from Ibex answered my question:

The lightest Ibex shirts are the 150/gram ones, namely the

Peak Sport Zip,
Echo T,
and the U-Sixty T

Anyone have any experience with these shirts?

[GLC1968]

I have a couple of echo t's. They are nice! Very light weight - totally acceptable for summer use. My only beef with them is that the neckline is kind of high. I think it would bother me for athletic wear (it's fine for every day use though) but I'm a bit picky about that. I also have two tanks and a t-shirt made from their older pointelle knit that seem lighter in weight, but I don't think they sell it anymore.

Speaking of Ibex, has anyone else noticed that their new full zip shak design has changed? For fall, it looks like it has two pockets more to the side instead of the one at the zipper. And the zipper looks a little sleeker. I haven't seen them in person yet but I'm thinking about adding a new color to my fall wardrobe!

[redrhodie]

Speaking of Ibex, has anyone else noticed that their new full zip shak design has changed? For fall, it looks like it has two pockets more to the side instead of the one at the zipper. And the zipper looks a little sleeker. I haven't seen them in person yet but I'm thinking about adding a new color to my fall wardrobe!

I wish I could see it. I've been having trouble with their website since they updated it, and can't view anything up-close. Anyone else having trouble?

[Biciclista]

I have a couple of echo t's. They are nice! Very light weight - totally acceptable for summer use. My only beef with them is that the neckline is kind of high. I think it would bother me for athletic wear (it's fine for every day use though) but I'm a bit picky about that. I also have two tanks and a t-shirt made from their older pointelle knit that seem lighter in weight, but I don't think they sell it anymore.

Speaking of Ibex, has anyone else noticed that their new full zip shak design has changed? For fall, it looks like it has two pockets more to the side instead of the one at the zipper. And the zipper looks a little sleeker. I haven't seen them in person yet but I'm thinking about adding a new color to my fall wardrobe!
saw these yesterday in a wool store. BEAUTIFUL!

[Crankin]

Oy, if I get another Shak, I won't live it down with DH. I have 3 and he has one.

I am riding tomorrow at 7 AM. Predicted temperature 49. Out comes the wool!
Although, I did wear a very light weight wool jersey early sunday morning. It's a Performance jersey DH bought me years ago. I can't find it anywhere. It's too bad, because I wear this jersey constantly in the fall and spring.

[OakLeaf]

Anyone know what the *lightest weight* Ibex t-shirt is?

I don't know much about Patagonia, because most of their stuff just doesn't fit me, but they have a 4.4 oz T-shirt (125 g) on sale on TE (http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodPA_36591.html)...


I totally NEED another Ibex tank, and they've been discontinued. :(:( Can't find one anywhere. The SW tank just doesn't fit me as nicely, nor is it the same quality.

[Selkie]

saw these yesterday in a wool store. BEAUTIFUL!

She's right. The new style Shak full zip is lovely and is more versatile (easier to dress up for work). DH bought me the dark purple--I love it (color and style, of course). This purple is very dark, almost black, like an eggplant. Couldn't resist and ordered another in the turquoise green! Shaks in two of my favorite colors!

By the way, the turquoise comes in the "original" shak full zip style. It's $10 less than the new style, if that matters! I went nuts and got the more expensive one. :):):)

[GLC1968]

She's right. The new style Shak full zip is lovely and is more versatile (easier to dress up for work). DH bought me the dark purple--I love it (color and style, of course). This purple is very dark, almost black, like an eggplant. Couldn't resist and ordered another in the turquoise green! Shaks in two of my favorite colors!

By the way, the turquoise comes in the "original" shak full zip style. It's $10 less than the new style, if that matters! I went nuts and got the more expensive one. :):):)

Ugh, damn you! Now I'm shopping for Shaks again and I've got that purple in my cart! :eek:

(I really want a nice, bold red. Maybe next year?)

[Selkie]

Ugh, damn you! Now I'm shopping for Shaks again and I've got that purple in my cart! :eek:

(I really want a nice, bold red. Maybe next year?)

GLC -- The turquoise arrived since I posted and the color is better than pictured on the website. Very rich and jewel-like. You could compromise and get the traditional Shak instead of the new style in that color, save $10.... Trust me, you won't be disappointed. It will give you a nice burst of color for those grey winter days.

[GLC1968]

GLC -- The turquoise arrived since I posted and the color is better than pictured on the website. Very rich and jewel-like. You could compromise and get the traditional Shak instead of the new style in that color, save $10.... Trust me, you won't be disappointed. It will give you a nice burst of color for those grey winter days.

I actually have it. :o I ordered what I *think* is the same color in the old style last month and I've worn it a bunch of times already! It's a bright turquoise color, right? Man, the photo for the older style one on the website is awful! It's totally misleading.

I really love the arctic blue color that they did the Indie Crew in...they need to do a shak in that one next (after red, of course). :)

[Selkie]

I actually have it. :o I ordered what I *think* is the same color in the old style last month and I've worn it a bunch of times already! It's a bright turquoise color, right? Man, the photo for the older style one on the website is awful! It's totally misleading.

I really love the arctic blue color that they did the Indie Crew in...they need to do a shak in that one next (after red, of course). :)

Yes, it's the bright turquoise. I'm relieved that you already have it! ;) Because I was afraid it would be sold out, I decided that I'd better buy it while they still had it in stock.

Next year, I'm hoping they do a dark green, something more toward blue-green instead of yellower greens. And a royal blue.

[Grog]

I was going to order a few things from Ibex but I just can't bear the $44 shipping fee to Canada. I am happy to pay the taxes and duty (to say nothing of the premium prices to get made-in-not-too-far-away clothes that fit well for years), but their shipping costs are just too steep.

Next time I go to the States I'll have to order things in advance and have it delivered to my hotel or to my parents' place in Florida. :(

[KnottedYet]

Or drive the 55 miles to Bellingham WA and buy Ibex at REI or one of the other mountaineering stores there (you can order online and have it delivered free to the REI of your choice); or drive the 140 miles to Seattle and go to one of the stores here that carry Ibex (including REI Flagship) and have a rockin' ride and wild party with the Seattle TE'ers at the same time!

Parteeeeeeeee!

[bmccasland]

Or drive the 55 miles to Bellingham WA and buy Ibex at REI or one of the other mountaineering stores there (you can order online and have it delivered free to the REI of your choice); or drive the 140 miles to Seattle and go to one of the stores here that carry Ibex (including REI Flagship) and have a rockin' ride and wild party with the Seattle TE'ers at the same time!

Parteeeeeeeee!

When? When?
got me some more wool socks at the REI in Renton... I really need to go to the Flagship store in downtown, this one is pretty small. But the staff was helpful.

[KnottedYet]

How about a TE meet-up at REI Flagship some upcoming weekend? There's a World Wraps upstairs, we could have a wee TE lunch party.

(Beth, you still don't have access to your bike and stuff, right?)

[Biciclista]

We had Beth over for dinner last night. And if you can wait 2 weeks I can play too, otherwise I'll be in Italy.

Tentatively, let's shoot for October the 9th!

[KnottedYet]

October 9 sounds good to me.

[bmccasland]

October 9 sounds good to me.

Works for me too. I put it on my calendar. And there's another pay day between now and then :rolleyes::cool:

And yes, the movers have my bikes. If my house in Louisiana doesn't sell, I'm going to have to break down and get a rental of some flavor - which means I'll have my bikes and ALL my other stuff.

[Grog]

Actually October 9th might work - it's Thanksgiving weekend here.

Hummmmmmm.....!!

Bike ride, too?

(Is there a pretty big Ibex selection at the Seattle REI? Last time I was down there about 4 years ago there wasn't that much... a Carrie hoodie... and maybe three or four other things.)

[Biciclista]

There is some ibex. The bike clothes selections aren't so good (for example they only have men's knickers) but they have lots of Ibex, yes.. I'd love a bike ride. We could go down to the waterfront, up through Myrtle Edwards park, and end up in Fremont... depending on Weather of course.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

We could go down to the waterfront, up through Myrtle Edwards park, and end up in Fremont... depending on Weather of course.

"Depending on weather"-?????
Are you all WoolWeenies, or WHAT? :eek: :cool:

[Grog]

Arrg. I just realized that my passport renewal application is still processing (Passport Canada was dissatisfied with the first set of pictures because there was a flash reflection on my forehead.....!) so I don't know if I'll have it back by October 9th. :(

It's still two weeks away so my chances are not quite nil, but let's say I won't buy a train ticket ahead of time. :( Fingers crossed. If I come I'll bring a bike and also plan a book-shopping trip at the Elliott Bay Bookstore.

ETA: Processing is supposed to take 20 business days so don't expect me on the 9th of October. We could arrange another pre-Christmas shopping trip though. :) (And, we could go for a bike ride dressed as Santa's little helpers..... A tradition among my friends in Montreal: http://picasaweb.google.ca/tilleylh/SortiePereNoel200702# )

[OakLeaf]

All right, I have a question.

Where is the line between "this is too nice to sleep in" and "it's too cold to take it off" ????

[Catrin]

All right, I have a question.

Where is the line between "this is too nice to sleep in" and "it's too cold to take it off" ????

Oooo, I know - If you have to ask the question, then it is too cold to take it off :)

[emily_in_nc]

All right, I have a question.

Where is the line between "this is too nice to sleep in" and "it's too cold to take it off" ????

December 15th?

:D

[bmccasland]

Arrg. I just realized that my passport renewal application is still processing (Passport Canada was dissatisfied with the first set of pictures because there was a flash reflection on my forehead.....!) so I don't know if I'll have it back by October 9th. :(

It's still two weeks away so my chances are not quite nil, but let's say I won't buy a train ticket ahead of time. :( Fingers crossed. If I come I'll bring a bike and also plan a book-shopping trip at the Elliott Bay Bookstore.

ETA: Processing is supposed to take 20 business days so don't expect me on the 9th of October. We could arrange another pre-Christmas shopping trip though. :) (And, we could go for a bike ride dressed as Santa's little helpers..... A tradition among my friends in Montreal: http://picasaweb.google.ca/tilleylh/SortiePereNoel200702# )

By December I'll have my bicycles. Found out today the housing market in New Orleans is dead, no one is even looking. :( So my realtor is going to try to rent out my house. Plan B for me, find a rental for the next several months, either a house or an apartment - but I need a garage for all my extra stuff :rolleyes: I'm sure by the time a December bike ride rolls around, I'll need more wool. :p

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

All right, I have a question.

Where is the line between "this is too nice to sleep in" and "it's too cold to take it off" ????

There is no line.
A true Wool Weenie will want to sleep in her good wool and will wear it 24 hours a day if the weather is nice and cool. I long ago started wearing the same wool items for day and for sleeping as well. The goal is merely to be warm and comfortable. The only limiting factor would be to avoid things with big zippers or bumpy pockets and such, that might be uncomfortable to lie on.

I think all pure wool is "too nice to sleep in" even if it comes from the thrift shop. But that doesn't stop me from sleeping in it if it's cozy and soft. ;)

[Selkie]

Since it's pouring outside (I'm on leave this week and next), I decided to do the most loathsome task of all---the change of seasons clothing switch in my drawers/closet. This year I was serious about tossing out stuff that I never/rarely wear or is too big, and packed up several bags of stuff to donate. Included among the soon-to-be-donated items are some Ibex baselayer tops.....unfortunately, they make me itch, so I can't wear them! Also am giving away several cashmere cardigans and sweaters.

When organizing my cedar drawer, I was surprised how many Shaks I've accumulated! :):o I will wear those until they fall apart. I still need one in a navy blue, though..... :D

[GLC1968]

Since it's pouring outside (I'm on leave this week and next), I decided to do the most loathsome task of all---the change of seasons clothing switch in my drawers/closet. This year I was serious about tossing out stuff that I never/rarely wear or is too big, and packed up several bags of stuff to donate. Included among the soon-to-be-donated items are some Ibex baselayer tops.....unfortunately, they make me itch, so I can't wear them! Also am giving away several cashmere cardigans and sweaters.

When organizing my cedar drawer, I was surprised how many Shaks I've accumulated! :):o I will wear those until they fall apart. I still need one in a navy blue, though..... :D


Wait, what?!? Ibex baselayers and cashmere and you are giving them away to strangers??? Offer them up to us woolweenies! Hell, we'd probably even pay you for them! :D

[Selkie]

Sorry, GLC. They are now at a local charity..... My husband wanted to get everything out of the house before I changed my mind and started thinking, "hmmm, I might want to wear those again..." LOL

I'll let you know if I decide to offload any of my other wool stuff.

[Cataboo]

If anyone wants an ibex rossa hoody in coconut brown with red trim, size medium, I have a medium new with tags for $36 shipped in the US:
http://www.e-omc.com/catalog/new_images/large/WsIbexRossaHoodyBurntRed.jpg

It just didn't quite fit me right.

[Cataboo]

I also tried kuhl's merino wool recently, it's quite nice and soft (I've been wearing this sweater for 2 days now and yes I slept in it. And yes, I'm gross)

http://www.6pm.com/product/7338323/color/2247

TJ maxx had a bunch of merino wool sweaters for $20-30 a few weeks ago when I was in there.

[Catrin]

I experimented with my smartwool base layer, merino wool jersey, and smartwool glove liners today. Am trying to back off the bike for a couple of days to let my leg heal a bit, but still need to exercise so I went for a hike this afternoon. Only for three miles and it is a rather flat set of trails, but pretty and usually very quiet.

It was 50-something, damp and windy - and I didn't want to break out a coat, so I pulled out all of my wool layers, the few I have, tossed a fleece sleeveless vest over everything and went hiking.

I was nice and warm without getting too toasty - though that changed afterwards when I was on the way home in my car... I am really looking forward to trying out all of these things on my bike.

I was especially impressed at how well those wool layers kept the wind out - even when I was warm enough to unzip the lightweight fleece vest! I was surprised by that, actually. The base layer and jersey are so thin...but apparently that doesn't matter :D

[PamNY]

Catrin, I too have been amazed at how well multiple wool layers work. Even birdwatching last year in 25 degree wind chill, I was pretty much okay. I only had to take a real parka a couple of times.

And layers come off for the bike trip home!

[OakLeaf]

Anyone know what the *lightest weight* Ibex t-shirt is?

I have an ancient Ibex t-shirt, *so* very light (even lighter than my Icebreaker 140 weight). But it's ripped to shreds. Time to replace!

Mariposa

I'd forgotten about it until the wool came out again this fall ...

My Hincapie (http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodHN_WLSW09.html) base layer is tissue-thin, as soft as any merino I own, seems to be durable although it's not that old. It's a tighter knit and not as stretchy as Ibex Woolies, but considerably lighter. I don't know the fabric weight. It also runs just a tad smaller than Ibex.

[bmccasland]

Are we still on for lunch on saturday (Oct 9) - and help "guiding" me in appropriate survival gear?

[KnottedYet]

Are we still on for lunch on saturday (Oct 9) - and help "guiding" me in appropriate survival gear?

I am, cuz I gotta buy some new trousers in any case. (even if no-one else goes to Flagship tomorrow, I will be there...)

I'm planning noonish, how does that work for you and anyone else?

[Grog]

No passport, no REI, no TE get-together for me in Seattle. NO WOOL!!! (Well, ok, I have other sources... But I will hold on for a few weeks until I can visit.)


Have fun!

[KnottedYet]

Oh, hey, today is the REI Fall sale.
Could be wild!

[Selkie]

REI, one of my favorite places!! I succumbed to new wool gloves (smartwool liners plus a wool-blend glove by Outdoor Research). Almost got a new Smartwool baselayer but opted instead for a Patagonia capilene crewneck. Nothing was on sale, of course, but I used my 20% coupon for a break on the top.

[Catrin]

Pity that I can't spend any more money until after the move is behind me :(

[Cataboo]

Oh, hey, today is the REI Fall sale.
Could be wild!

My local rei had $20 silk baselayers.

[bmccasland]

I had to miss the fun this time - and take my sick kitty to the emergency vet - seems his diabeties is a bit out of control, apparently just because he's a cat.

So the money I might have spent on wool, went to him, my lover boy. :rolleyes:

[KnottedYet]

REI Flagship was pretty much out of control. Though parking was free in honor of the sale.

We need to arrange an REI expedition for a day when there is not a massive influx of folks due to a sale, and when the cat is feeling better. Parrrrrr-TAY! :D

(and what did Knot use her 20% off full-priced-item coupon for? Why, for a $4 bandana... I know how to live it up, I'm tellin' ya. Everything else I bought was already discounted, anyway. But I didn't buy any wool.)

[bmccasland]

We're working on getting Herald better - nausea meds, and re-regulating his insulin.

I made a deposit on an apartment, so on November 8th I'll have a permanent (12 months anyway) address. Between now and then, I can enjoy myself!

I see by our lovely weather today, that more wool should be in my future. Although I do have a nice wool fedora. :cool:


hey Knotted - your PM box is full - so the nice message I composed, bounced.

[Trek420]

hey Knotted - your PM box is full - so the nice message I composed, bounced.

Yeah ;)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

This morning was 38F degrees when we walked our mile to breakfast and back.
Wore a thin smartwool pullover base layer and my merino full zip Shak. Wool hat and wool socks, fingerless gloves. COZY! :D

[KnottedYet]

hey Knotted - your PM box is full - so the nice message I composed, bounced.

I cleared some space. Sorry!

[Crankin]

It was 37.1 when I left my house at 6:45 to meet Hirakukibou. When I arrived at our meeting place, only 3.8 miles from my house, it was closer to 34. First day of wearing my Ibex tights (usually reserved for snow sports!), Woolie Bullie socks, and mid weight wool jersey (an old Performance item. I don't think they make it anymore). Oh, and I have solved my issue of not being able to shift with thicker gloves, like my Am-Fibs. I bought a pair of light weight full finger gloves in a bigger size and I wore my Smart Wool liners underneath. Perfect. Most wool I've worn since February. I also had a wind jacket, a fleece beanie, and a Craft base layer to round out the warmth.
Tomorrow I really need to take a short ride around 5:30 AM (riding super early is my new habit). I think I might add the balaclava and toe covers under my booties. Having to go down 1.5 miles of a hill first thing in these temperatures is not really fun.

[SadieKate]

I know I've been incommunicado of late, but I had to pop in to share this. I just know yawl will be jumping all over yourselves to be the first to own one.

Unfortunately for the purists, it is a blend. :p

[rubywagon]

That beer cozy is awesome.

I picked up a lovely pair of Ibex glove liners from the REI sale. They are sooooo soft and I can tell they will keep my fingers nice and toasty under my wind barrier gloves, when the temps drop to freezing.

[Biciclista]

I even checked the catalog for REI they have hardly any of the nice Ibex garments I'd like to buy. what's a girl to do?!

[wildeny]

I just joined the club. :D

Ordered cycling tights, trainer and socks etc from Jones Wares (http://www.joneswares.com/). Ordering and communication with them were very straightforward. Since I'm only 5'2", the women cycling tights in the market usually don't fit me well. In Jones Wares, I could have some minor custom fit on tights and even the trainer. The delivery was very fast. They shipped the order the following day after confirmed my measures.

Note that the cycling tights are quite heavy. Should be good for the winter in NY.

I also order the LS jersey, Flying Nun, from the New Zealand company, Ground Effect (http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/). The international shipping is very cheap. It's lightweight and can be wore most of the year (as a base layer for the winter). I looked up the reviews and comments before ordered from them. Unfortunately, the women section has fewer choices in wool products than the men section.

[OakLeaf]

More Teko merino socks for me!

I've been doing my long runs all summer in a couple of pairs of their midweight hikers with the ankles folded down. I figured it was time to treat myself to some real running socks. They're so much nicer than Smartwool (which I've still been wearing for the shorter runs).

Did a little jog in one pair on Tuesday just to be sure. The other pair will get 26.2 on Sunday. :)

[Biciclista]

anyone know of a good place to get Ibex on sale? (oh come on, quit laughing!)
or better, does anyone else make stuff that looks like the shak? I love how it looks on me, sort of dressy, sort of not...

[OakLeaf]

Okay, after all these months hearing about the Shak love, somebody please confirm my impression that I can't wear one. ;)

I'm 5'3", bigger in the hips than the shoulders, and I have basically no waist (less than two inches between my bottom ribs and my hipbones). So any longer tops, unless they're really tailored, either fit me like a tent or bunch up above my hips.

I'm also not terribly tempted by anything that isn't machine washable... but you guys keep talking about these Shaks like they were crack or something. :cool:

[inkspot]

Does anyone know if there are some good quality sources for plus-size wool jerseys and other warm and fuzzy items?

[bmccasland]

Apparently I will be spending any budget I had on my sick kitty. :( Good thing the movers will be delivering my stuff in early November and I can finally get to my wool Mom-knit sweaters. :)

Herald Cat needs to have a tooth pulled next week. And as he's old, and diabetic, this hasn't exactly been a fun ride, for either of us.

[redrhodie]

anyone know of a good place to get Ibex on sale? (oh come on, quit laughing!)
or better, does anyone else make stuff that looks like the shak? I love how it looks on me, sort of dressy, sort of not...

Here you go:

https://www.ibexwear.com/shop/products/4/0/womens-outlet

They seem to add new stuff at the end of every season, so there's a lot of summer stuff right now. I got the ribbed hoddie yesterday, and I love it.

[SadieKate]

I even checked the catalog for REI they have hardly any of the nice Ibex garments I'd like to buy. what's a girl to do?!

Have you tried other local retailers?

I find nicer clothing from independent local outdoor stores that all have membership programs that give me the "dividend" upfront either through a discount or a gift cert once I've spent a certain amount. I'd far rather support them than REI.

http://www.ibexwear.com/maps/index.php

And Patagonia is making more and more nice wool clothing, but I gotta say I live in my Shaks for cold weather steelhead fishing (and the discontinued Patagonia Merino 4 pants :().

[Biciclista]

redrhodie, already been through their outlet, nothing I want that is in my size.

SadieKate. OOOO thanks thanks!! perfect....

[GLC1968]

Mimi - You can also just do a google search for 'Ibex Shak' and find lots of outlets (where you can then find other items). I have bought Ibex from Zappos, Sierra Trading Post, Altrec, Backcountry, and from a couple of local stores including TE. I've actually never bought Ibex at REI! Though, I do get most of my Ibex directly from Ibex themselves...

Oh, and definitely check SAC - I've gotten a ton of Icebreaker and Smartwool from them.

Oak - I bet you could wear it. I'm only 5'4" and my hips are definitely as wide as my shoulders (even though I do have a waist) and the shak does not ride up at all. It's also not even slightly flowy - so I don't think it could 'tent' on you. I think because it's a beefier material it stays where it should and looks nice. I actually noted that they seem to be making them a tad roomier than they used to as well. The medium I put on this morning (my newest one in the turquoise color) is larger than my older shaks. Oh, and I definitely put mine in the wash, I just don't put them in the dryer.

Speaking of wool, this is my next wool desire:
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/images/products/S102//large.jpg
:D

[Crankin]

I put my Shaks in the wash.
+ 1 on Jones Wares. I had them do a semi-custom fit on a pair of wool hiking type pants. I wear them x country skiing/snow shoeing, since they have flared legs, not really perfect for cycling. However, I have worn them cycling to appointments, with the leg wrapped up, so it doesn't get caught in the chain. They actually look like regular pants and are extremely heavy and warm.

[emily_in_nc]

Apparently I will be spending any budget I had on my sick kitty. :( Good thing the movers will be delivering my stuff in early November and I can finally get to my wool Mom-knit sweaters. :)

Herald Cat needs to have a tooth pulled next week. And as he's old, and diabetic, this hasn't exactly been a fun ride, for either of us.

So sorry about your cat. Hope he'll be ok.

Why in the world is it taking so long for the movers to get your stuff to you? You've been there quite awhile now, as I recall!

[Biciclista]

so has anyone else found something that is zephyr-like, but not Ibex, but still wool??
Is Ibex really the only outfit that gets it?
Since SadieKate's helpful post, I have been hunting around on those websites and find a lot of 50-50 cotton wool and 60-40 poly/wool....

[OakLeaf]

I guess maybe if a Shak fits the same as a Razzel, only heavier, I might need one. I luuuuurve my Razzel (which I was a little apprehensive about ordering, but took my chances and wasn't disappointed).


Beth, hope Herald feels better. :(

[Biciclista]

ok i just bought two Ibex sweaters from EverestGear. Two, so if i don't like one, I will still have the other. They were discounted nicely...

[KnottedYet]

Just got the Patagonia app (free) for iDevice. (iPod, iPad, iPhone, iDunno)

Sex-ay! It has a "wool" button, you click that, and all the wool leaps to your screen! You can specify outlet or regular price stock.

(I don't care that Patagonia is "Pradagonia" or "Patagucci", I've always liked their stuff. Never could afford it, but always liked it. The very nice folks at the store near Ghiradelli Square in SF let me recover from a wee panic attack in their soothing environs... I have a soft spot in my heart for them.) :p

[Selkie]

I love Patagonia clothes and am an addict.

The wool base layers are wonderful---never itch, well made, etc. Well worth the $$$ because you'll have them for years (with proper care).

[GLC1968]

I love Patagonia clothes and am an addict.

The wool base layers are wonderful---never itch, well made, etc. Well worth the $$$ because you'll have them for years (with proper care).

YEARS. I have Patagonia stuff that I still wear that is over 20 years old!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm puttin on my wool yummies now...october.... :p

Happy that I have an ample supply since having gone overboard during the past two years buying good wool items. I expect to be swathed in merino for the next 15 years even if I don't buy another single thing! :cool:

[blackhillsbiker]

Point6 merino socks :) I like them better than Smartwool.

Deb

[KnottedYet]

Surly wool jerseys: http://surlybikes.com/clothing/wool_jerseys/

I have a Surly t-shirt. I love advertising the fact that I'm a Surly person. ;)

[KnottedYet]

Ibex wool "Knickerbockers" http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product/1762/1255/mens-commuter-knicker

Too bad they're $160
Too bad they don't come in women's sizes (boy, Ibex's women's cycling selection just gets smaller and smaller)
Too bad they are woven in China.

Didn't TE have some really cute wool knickerbockers made by Sheila Moon? I remember Susan modelling a pair, I think. They looked like this http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSM_6572.html but they were wool tweed, I think. Like, a tan tweed with a tan/brown butt patch.

[Biciclista]

Ibex wool "Knickerbockers" http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product/1762/1255/mens-commuter-knicker

Too bad they're $160
Too bad they don't come in women's sizes (boy, Ibex's women's cycling selection just gets smaller and smaller)
Too bad they are woven in China.



yeah, I noticed that too!

on the other hand, I got my Ibex stuff!!! OH MY GOODNESS!! HOW BEAUTIFUL!!

Both were heavily discounted last year's colors. (one was halfway between maroon and pink, the other was red with dark pink highlights)
I LOVE THEM

One is a heavier sweater type with a zipper. Don't know if that's a shak or not..

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Too bad they're $160
Too bad they don't come in women's sizes (boy, Ibex's women's cycling selection just gets smaller and smaller)
Too bad they are woven in China.

That's three too many too bads for me.

[jessmarimba]

I'm wearing a wool/soy ExOfficio sweater that I adore, though it seems to itch freshly shaved armpits (sorry). My cat keeps trying to make biscuits on it so I guess she loves it too.

I don't know how I've never looked at this thread before. Love love love wool!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Our cats LOVE LOVE LOVE our wool. Especially when we sleep in it (which is about half the year). Great for kitty biscuit making. :D

[Eden]

Our cats LOVE LOVE LOVE our wool. Especially when we sleep in it (which is about half the year). Great for kitty biscuit making. :D

Until I broke my sewing machine doing it.... I was making kitty beds out of old wool sweaters that I bought by the pound at a Goodwill outlet (yes, really a thrift store outlet). Washed them in hot water to felt them a bit then sewed them into round kitty beds. I did a few rectangular that were covers for kitty heating pads too. My cats love theirs. I still occasionally make a bed or two by hand.

[GLC1968]

Until I broke my sewing machine doing it.... I was making kitty beds out of old wool sweaters that I bought by the pound at a Goodwill outlet (yes, really a thrift store outlet). Washed them in hot water to felt them a bit then sewed them into round kitty beds. I did a few rectangular that were covers for kitty heating pads too. My cats love theirs. I still occasionally make a bed or two by hand.

Wow, awesome idea, Eden!

The ONLY time that our cat will chose to sleep on me over my husband is when I'm wearing wool or cashmere and he's not. It's my secret weapon! ;)

[malkin]

Didn't TE have some really cute wool knickerbockers made by Sheila Moon? I remember Susan modelling a pair, I think. They looked like this http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSM_6572.html but they were wool tweed, I think. Like, a tan tweed with a tan/brown butt patch.

I have those tweedy pants!

[Biciclista]

I'm wearing a wool/soy ExOfficio sweater that I adore, though it seems to itch freshly shaved armpits (sorry). My cat keeps trying to make biscuits on it so I guess she loves it too.

I don't know how I've never looked at this thread before. Love love love wool!

If you don't shave your armpits, there's no problem. And welcome to the wool weenies!!!

[tulip]

My generous and thoughtful brother gave me a gift certificate to the Ibex website for my birthday. So I'm entering the world of Ibex.

Back in the 80s I had several (4 or 5) wool long-sleeve cycling jerseys. They were beautiful, but for some reason I got rid of them at some point. Dumb youth!

[GLC1968]

My generous and thoughtful brother gave me a gift certificate to the Ibex website for my birthday. So I'm entering the world of Ibex.

Back in the 80s I had several (4 or 5) wool long-sleeve cycling jerseys. They were beautiful, but for some reason I got rid of them at some point. Dumb youth!

Oooh, lucky you (and nice brother!!). Happy Birthday, too. :)

[bmccasland]

My geriatric kitties have been enjoying themselves laying on my mohair shawl. Wore it a couple of weeks ago, tossed it on the couch, and they claimed it. So I guess that makes the kitties part of the Wool Weenies club too.

[inkspot]

Hand-knit merino wool hat? Check.
Hand-knit merino-alpaca wool scarf? Check.
Merino wool sweater? Check.
Lambs-wool camisole? Check.
Wool coat? Check.
Cashmere socks? Check.

The only way to stay nice and toasty when it's -13 degrees and windy! :D

[OakLeaf]

.... totally coveting an Ibex Europa jacket ...

[jessmarimba]

Hand-knit merino wool hat? Check.

One bought or one you made? I'm trying to find an easy hat pattern that actually reduces the stitching to the top. I had a pattern last year that I thought would work but the resulting hat was wayyyy too small!

[inkspot]

I made the hat myself. I have a small head, so too small usually isn't a problem! The pattern I used is really flexible - I found it easy to make the hat larger with bigger needles, doubling the wool, or simply adding stitches. It does reduce stitching near the top, so it's not bulky or lumpy at the top. I'm used to cables, so I found it pretty easy ;) So cozy in ultra-soft merino!

http://www.strickmasche.de/caramel-cable-hat/

[GLC1968]

.... totally coveting an Ibex Europa jacket ...

That's NICE! I think it would be too warm for me here...but it's really sharp looking - particularly in that redish color!

[tulip]

.... totally coveting an Ibex Europa jacket ...

Very nice! However, my brother isn't THAT generous!:rolleyes:

[OakLeaf]

.... totally coveting an Ibex Europa jacket ...

Got one for my birthday! >happy dance<

Unfortunately I'm going to have to exchange it for a larger size - one size up from what I wear in Ibex baselayers.

And it's not super heavy. Definitely lighter than my full-length dressy wool coat. It would be perfect for you PNW'ers. ;)

[jessmarimba]

Anyone have the Patagonia merino 4 classic hoody? So pricy (even on clearance!) ...but it looks so cute and I'm freezing right now. Reviews?

[Cataboo]

I broke out my ibex long trail sweater today & my icebreaker jetter.

I am all swaddled in wooly goodness.

[Selkie]

Anyone have the Patagonia merino 4 classic hoody? So pricy (even on clearance!) ...but it looks so cute and I'm freezing right now. Reviews?

Don't have the hoody but I have a couple of the merino 4 pieces (zip t-neck and crew). Love them, very warm, feel good against the skin. You cannot go wrong w/Patagonia -- excellent investment, high quality, and you'll have it for YEARS (so long as you care for it properly).

[tulip]

I received my Ibex Ms Indie LS Jersey today. I'm surprised it's so thin; I expected it to be thicker. It's like tee-shirt fabric, although it's Merino and quite soft.

If any of you have this jersey, I'd be interested to know how you like it. I'm not sure I'm going to keep it. I just thought it would be thicker, but perhaps it's okay as it is.

[Cataboo]

I have an ibex cycling jersey, I don't remember which one - but it'll be similar weight to the one you got.

I love it. I wear it hiking as well as biking - it's warm, yet still breathable enough or lets just enough wind that as I'm heating up with activity that I stay comfortable temp wise. Put a wind jacket over it and I'm quite fine.

[GLC1968]

I received my Ibex Ms Indie LS Jersey today. I'm surprised it's so thin; I expected it to be thicker. It's like tee-shirt fabric, although it's Merino and quite soft.

If any of you have this jersey, I'd be interested to know how you like it. I'm not sure I'm going to keep it. I just thought it would be thicker, but perhaps it's okay as it is.


My parents just bought my husband the Indie LS jersery in the mens version as an early Christmas present. I was also a little surprised at how thin it was...but it's really good looking.

I've bought a couple of items from Ibex that when I first got them, I was worried they were too thin. I've kept them all and many of them are now my favorite tops. They may not fit into my wardrobe like I'd originally intended, but they ended up being even more useful than I had expected.

[Biciclista]

one of the ibex pieces i recently bought was a cherry red with orange highlights long sleeve teeshirt. it's very light weight. I've taken to wearing it under short-sleeved blouses that I never wore this time of year before. A nice wardrobe change!

[tulip]

My parents just bought my husband the Indie LS jersery in the mens version as an early Christmas present. I was also a little surprised at how thin it was...but it's really good looking.

I've bought a couple of items from Ibex that when I first got them, I was worried they were too thin. I've kept them all and many of them are now my favorite tops. They may not fit into my wardrobe like I'd originally intended, but they ended up being even more useful than I had expected.

Thanks, I'll keep it. I ordered the men's because the colors in the women's were terrible. I got red, men's small, and it fits fine. Glad to have now joined the Ibex ranks.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I bought a couple Ibex indie long sleeves about 3 yrs ago, and found them to feel too itchy- never had that issue with any other ibex stuff before.
I kept them as an extra layer, but I'm not a fan of the Indies. I found the Kate was really SOFT, but the same thickness.

[sfa]

[giggling gleefully]

Just back from my LBS with an impulse purchase of a pair of Smartwool arm warmers. So far I've only just tried them on in the car so I have no idea if they'll stay up in use or wear well or insulate without itching. But they are so dang cute that they make me smile.

Also, every time I go to that store I'm reminded that I really should go to that store more often.

Sarah

[DebW]

[giggling gleefully]

Just back from my LBS with an impulse purchase of a pair of Smartwool arm warmers. So far I've only just tried them on in the car so I have no idea if they'll stay up in use or wear well or insulate without itching. But they are so dang cute that they make me smile.

Sarah

They will stay up. And insulate without itching. And be very comfortable. I speak from experience.

[OakLeaf]

I love my wool PI arm warmers. Why those stay up with no grippers, and the DeSoto arm coolers with the grippers won't, I have no idea.

[Triskeliongirl]

I have 2 Ibex Razzels in excellent condition, one is green and and one is maroon (both size S). Never been in the dryer, no visible signs of wear. I can photograph them if you like, here are the current models: http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product/1817/3824/womens-razzel

They look very nice as dressy tops, but I would prefer to have 2 black zip-T neck Zephers instead (pure black, no piping) (also in womens size S).

PM me if you are interested in a trade.

[Catrin]

I just ordered my first wool purchase for the season - a nice Ibex wool balaclava. I took advantage of the 20% sale at TE this week to get something that I knew I would need.

Pity they didn't have this LAST week when I got my gloves from them :)

[bmccasland]

After finally getting home last night on Seattle's icy streets (we're having a winter snow storm), I check my mail, and there's a box. I've been ordering stuff, and figured it was something I had ordered. Nope, my sister sent me a presie! Of all the appropriate days to get wool socks, yesterday was one of them - especially since I was wearing dress shoes with my wool slacks. Was really happy I didn't have to walk home.

So today I'm wearing one of my new pairs of wool socks - little sister sent two pair as a "house / toe warming" present. And I'm staying home, telecommuting.

[Biciclista]

After finally getting home last night on Seattle's icy streets (we're having a winter snow storm), I check my mail, and there's a box. I've been ordering stuff, and figured it was something I had ordered. Nope, my sister sent me a presie! Of all the appropriate days to get wool socks, yesterday was one of them - especially since I was wearing dress shoes with my wool slacks. Was really happy I didn't have to walk home.

So today I'm wearing one of my new pairs of wool socks - little sister sent two pair as a "house / toe warming" present. And I'm staying home, telecommuting.

great timing!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Back in merino every day now again... feels so good! :p

[jessmarimba]

It's 15 degrees out right now (I know, not all that cold for some of you Canadians) and while I love merino...I've moved on. I'm wearing my down jacket in the house and it's not coming off :)

I got a new Emu merino sweater the other day though. So warm and cute...but so recognizable that even though I WANT to wear it every time I go out, I can't.

[NbyNW]

Back in merino every day now again... feels so good! :p

Me too!

I've also been teaching myself how to knit and crochet. So far I've made a pair of merino fingerless mitts which are great indoors when the house is chilly (I can keep typing) or outside as a second layer over my gloves. But they were only so helpful in this week's -22C temps. In theory it will warm up again before the end of the week, in the meantime I am headed home to the states for turkey, trimmings, and other winter fattening-up foods.

Next up (after I finish Christmas gifts) is going to be some nice warm leggings that will go under my jeans for when I'm out walking the dog.

[Triskeliongirl]

Does anyone have this: http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product/1827/8953/womens-pez-long-sweater

Opinions? I am looking for something to layer under my REI LaSelva trenchcoat (http://www.rei.com/product/794282) to extend its temperature range, especaially for travelling when I don't want to bring too many clothes but may visit different places with different climates. How low in temp do you think I could go with a zepher, shak, pez, and rei trenchcoat? That is would it be as warm as my north face primaloft lined trenchcoat?

Any info. on styling? Most reviews are good but one called in frumpy and I DO NOT like frumpy.

Any info. on fabric? I am imagining it will be like my shak but not sure.

Any info. on sizing? All my ibex are small, but to layer over the shak and under the M trench I am thinking to order it in M. It is expensive, but I have a 20% off coupon......

[NbyNW]

Trisk, what kind of climates are you traveling to/from?

I'm not familiar with the Ibex sweater but it I don't think it looks frumpy at all.

For travel mid and outer layers I'm starting to become fond of down and even synthetics, like Patagonia's nanopuff series. They're lightweight and they squish down small.

This is becoming important since I've been experiencing HUGE differences in temperature whenever I travel from here. Over Thanksgiving weekend it was -25C here when I left, and when I got to Pittsburgh we weren't even talking about freezing temperatures.

Or last January when I was backpacking in the Dominican Republic -- it's nice to wear something warm between home and airport, but if that thing had been wool, it would have been taking up a lot of space in my pack, for something I didn't need all week.

If you are traveling from mild/warm temps to cooler temps, then you probably have to plan differently than what I've just described.

My mother wanted to buy me a new wool coat when I was home over Thanksiving. Wasn't gonna say no to that! But I had worn my Patagonia Fiona Down Parka (http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/patagonia-womens-fiona-down-parka?p=28355-0-709) on the trip out. Guess which one rode home in my suitcase?

The Fiona might be worth looking at -- it's got nice lines, and I think it would fit well under a trenchcoat.

[GLC1968]

Trisk -

I don't have that particular sweater, but I do have a Pez vest. I absolutely LOVE it. It's one of my favorite pieces. It always looks good and never gets tired looking like some other wool items do after a lot of use and infrequent laundering.

It's going to be a little thicker than a zepher and very similiar to a shak in weight. But it's smoother looking - almost sleeker in appearance due to the felting (without being thick or inflexible). It's really sharp. I would also suggest that due to the felting, it's probably slightly warmer than a shak as well (this is hard for me to compare since my version has no sleeves!). But I want to reitterate that my vest is lightweight, flexible and very layerable even though it's felted and has good insulting properties.

I will say that a long sweater like that would totally look frumpy on me, but that's because I'm built opposite from you! With a small top and a big bottom (wide hips/legs), long jackets and sweaters are very unflattering on me just making me look short and stumpy. For someone like you who carries your weight higher, I bet it would be adorable!

[Triskeliongirl]

Thanks for the good suggestions. I live in a warm place, and sometimes travel to cold places, or make trips to multiple places. For example, we have family in Portugal, colleagues in Switzerland, so I might make a trip to Europe in winter where I am going from south to north and don't want to carry a million different coats. Or I may travel to san francisco or boston in winter, but not sure how cold it will be while I am there so like to have layering options. I do have a patagonia down sweater that I layer under my arctyrex parker, but not sure I like the puffiness which is why I was attracted to the idea of the pez long sweater. I do look good in long sweaters and long jackets, and like them for the added warmth over the more typical short jackets.

[NbyNW]

I hear you about the puffiness. Great for warmth, but maybe a bit too casual for dinner at a nice restaurant. Those beautiful Ibex pieces really can be versatile that way! It all depends on what your plans are and how much you are prepared to carry.

[malkin]

I think it would look great. For me, the shoulders of the outer layer would have to fit easily over the shoulders of the inside layers; I can't stand that bunchy tight feeling.

[skhill]

It's a cold snowy morning, but I'm so happy in my new wool long underwear (minus 33, much more affordable than some other brands)... Hooray for wool!!!

But like usual, I had to go up a size at the waist/hips to have them be long enough. It's not the end of the world, but annoying. It's not like I'm all that tall, or with exceptionally long legs... Anyway... Does anyone know of any wool bottoms that come in XS long?

[OakLeaf]

Ibex gear is long, and runs on the small side. I have the opposite problem, and I had to return a pair of Long Janes... SW bottoms fit me perfectly, by comparison. To get into Ibex I would've had to go up a size from what I wear in tops AND grow about three inches in the legs.

[Triskeliongirl]

I think it would look great. For me, the shoulders of the outer layer would have to fit easily over the shoulders of the inside layers; I can't stand that bunchy tight feeling.

I agree, that is why I am not sure if I should order the small or medium. My ibex inner layers (say a zepher and a shak) are both small, but my REI raincoat is a medium. I don't know if the medium pez would layer better over the small shaks, or if the small pez would layer better under the medium raincoat??? That's why I was hoping someone has this item to know how it layers over a shak of the same size. I could also just order both and return one, which may be my best option if no one knows.

[OakLeaf]

FWIW, since I don't own any of the actual pieces in question, but I had to exchange the Ibex Europa jacket I got for my birthday. I definitely wanted it a size up from what I wear in their base layers, to have room for more than a thin top underneath.

[moonfroggy]

Ibex gear is long, and runs on the small side. I have the opposite problem, and I had to return a pair of Long Janes... SW bottoms fit me perfectly, by comparison. To get into Ibex I would've had to go up a size from what I wear in tops AND grow about three inches in the legs.


i am so surprised to read this, i almost always have to get extra small in ibex and had assumed it ran large. i tend to have no clue what size clothes to buy for myself though and when i follow the charts and measure i always end up with clothes a size or two too large.

[jessmarimba]

Is it just the shirt I just got, or is Icebreaker a little on the shorter/boxier side?

[GLC1968]

I think Ibex runs big, in general and their sleeves are always quite long (which I know is a godsend for many!).

Icebreaker generally runs slightly smaller than Ibex in my experience (and tops are usually very long in the body).

I have also gotten specific items from both makers that buck this trend completely AND items that become totally distorted after one washing (clearly due to some defect). It can really be a crap shoot!

Smartwool seems to run smaller but I have limited Smartwool experience unless you count socks (which I think run big!). :eek:

Trisk - I don't know what size my Pez vest is (I'm at work, it's at home!), but I can check for you tonight. I do know that my vest fits looser than my Shak's, so if they are the same size, then it could be that the Pez runs larger. That's my guess, but I can't say for sure without checking (plus, vest sizing could be different than sweater sizing, of course)... I'm not much help, am I? ;)

[Triskeliongirl]

I think Ibex runs big, in general and their sleeves are always quite long (which I know is a godsend for many!).

Trisk - I don't know what size my Pez vest is (I'm at work, it's at home!), but I can check for you tonight. I do know that my vest fits looser than my Shak's, so if they are the same size, then it could be that the Pez runs larger. That's my guess, but I can't say for sure without checking (plus, vest sizing could be different than sweater sizing, of course)... I'm not much help, am I? ;)

If you could check tonite I would appreciate it, as I am still waiting for my coupon to arrive for doing a gear review on altrec.

p.s. Acutally I have have just gotten an answer. I phoned Ibex, and they told me the pez runs similar to the shak and is sized to fit over a light layer. They recommend a medium to layer over a small shak.

[Jolt]

I think Ibex runs big, in general and their sleeves are always quite long (which I know is a godsend for many!).

Icebreaker generally runs slightly smaller than Ibex in my experience (and tops are usually very long in the body).

I have also gotten specific items from both makers that buck this trend completely AND items that become totally distorted after one washing (clearly due to some defect). It can really be a crap shoot!



Icebreaker tops are definitely on the long side. As far as "outliers", I have a pair of Ibex pants (Izzi, I think--yoga-type pants) that are SHORT...so much for the general trend of Ibex pants being long (I have a pair of the Loose Tights which are the perfect length). I got them for ridiculously cheap on Amazon and maybe that's why...maybe they were selling some "irregulars" on there. Because they are so short and therefore look kind of funny, I have been using them mostly as pajama bottoms!

[Crankin]

Ibex bottoms are usually long on me, but I have to wear a small instead of an extra small, in the hips. I have a pair of Ibex wool/wind proof tights that DH bought me years ago, before I knew what Ibex was. The length on those are OK, but any other bottoms I've tried on are really long. The extra small tops fit me perfectly, although as in most things that aren't petites, the sleeves are a bit long.
I find Icebreaker itchy. I have 2 Smartwool base layers that are really nice, but are quite long.

[jessmarimba]

Ok. Maybe this Icebreaker one is just cut weird - it came from Sierra Trading Post. It barely comes to the waist of my jeans and it's pretty loose for being the smallest possible size. But it's a short-sleeved shirt so its not like I need it to keep warm this winter. I think the I/O Bio shirts run long too, maybe I'll just stick with those from now on.

[GLC1968]

If you could check tonite I would appreciate it, as I am still waiting for my coupon to arrive for doing a gear review on altrec.

p.s. Acutally I have have just gotten an answer. I phoned Ibex, and they told me the pez runs similar to the shak and is sized to fit over a light layer. They recommend a medium to layer over a small shak.

I think a medium makes the most sense. I checked and mine vest is a medium and when comparing it to my medium Shaks, it's almost identical in the body in terms of size. I obviously can't compare shoulders/sleeves though...

Anyway, I think you'll be good on size AND I think you'll really like it!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I scored a black 100% merino ribbed turtleneck at GoodWill last week for $3.50.

:p :p :p

[Triskeliongirl]

Thanks for everyones comments on the pez. Size M is on the way!

To chime in on the sizing discussion, my personal experience has been that Ibex runs smaller than Icebreaker which runs smaller than Smartwool.

For example, in Ibex and Icebreaker tops I am a small, and in smartwool a medium. In bottoms, I am an XS in Ibex, a S in Icebreaker and a M in smartwool. But, I should warn you that my bottom is really smaller than my top (for example while most of my clothes are size 6, I have one suit I bought as separates where I bought the pants in 4 and jacket in 8). I am slim hipped but have a broad back, broad shoulders (size 40 handlebars!), and big bust (36C).

In terms of quality, I found my ibex looks the best over time, no holes, no pills, etc. on stuff I have now had for several years. I bought my husband a nice icebreaker sweater last christmas and it already has a hole in it. My smartwool looks more worn than my ibex as well. For me, routine care is to machine wash and drip dry.

[Eden]

I got my Walz wool cycling caps!! I placed an order for the team - we got custom embroidery with our logo on the sides. They look great and are totally cozy. I got a regular 4 panel and an earflap cap for myself. I wore the earflap cap yesterday. Love it - warm and cozy, yet not bulky under a helmet - doesn't seem to block as much of my hearing as my old thin fleece beanie.

www.walzcaps.com

[OakLeaf]

that's so weird about sizing, because I have way too many Ibex pieces and a few SW, and the fit seems to be consistent. I'm a true Small in Ibex topss. Compared to athletic wear it's true they run large, but compared to street wear and anything I have from SW, they're smaller. I have a Small SW tank that just hangs on me, where my Small Ibex tank ... I hate to even wear it because it's so perfect for everything, and they don't sell them any more! :p

[Triskeliongirl]

Maybe there is variation from piece to piece. I have a ton of ibex (including shak, zepher, kate, tank), all the tops are small and bottoms (woolies) are XS. I only have one smartwool top in M (midweight zip T) and one mideweight bottom also in M (mideweight long underwear). I tried on a lot of icebreaker tops and bottoms in both S and M and was a solid S in everything but ended up not buying any.

[Triskeliongirl]

Well, I sent the pez sweater back. It was really frumpy on me. The M fit good over my shak in the shoulders and bust, but the sleeves, hip, and overall length were all much too long/big. But I think the biggest problem was that it really lacked styling. One of the reviewers said it fit like a bathrobe and I have to agree with that description, or maybe a potato sack would also be accurate. It just wasn't something I could feel good wearing.

On a more positive note, I did pick up a brooks brothers merino long cardigan at one of their airport stores, and while its not as heavy as the pez, it does the job of insulating the raincoat and looks much nicer when I take the raincoat off! I'd show a link but its only sold at the airport stores (kind of weird but true). If its really cold where I am going, I'll just take my primaloft coat, so maybe it was just a dumb idea to try to make one coat do everything.

[Grog]

I am just back from a trip to Seattle and I went to Feathered Friends, the outdoor gear store on Yale just half a block away from REI. Ibex's web site says that they have an Ibex "store-in-store" there. No kidding! I tried on about 10 different pieces of Ibex clothing and they had more. I ended up with a Carrie hoddie, a new Indie shirt, a pair of Izzi pants and a Kurta top. My husband got a Shak vest. Everything Ibex was 20% off.

Totally worth a visit!

[bmccasland]

I am just back from a trip to Seattle and I went to Feathered Friends, the outdoor gear store on Yale just half a block away from MEC.

I had to look it up. MEC = REI, for those of us "south of the border". Maybe folks here already knew that, hangs her head in shame, but I'm still learning y'alls language. :rolleyes::cool:

I found some nice wool blend turtle/roll/necks at Banana Republic. Still need more WARM things - light enough weight to wear inside as a layer. Guess I'll be adding to my wool wardrobe for a while, right? Not much chance to wear my sleeveless tops year round like I used to - topped with a lightweight wool sweater in the winter. See, I do own wool - just what I have you'd classify as "summer weight."

Bought myself some LLB boots - so I can do field work in this wet squishy ground and keep my toes dry. Now I need more hiking socks.

[Grog]

I had to look it up. MEC = REI, for those of us "south of the border". Maybe folks here already knew that, hangs her head in shame, but I'm still learning y'alls language. :rolleyes::cool:


Oops! I really did mean REI but you're right that MEC is the Canadian equivalent. (I edited the post above.) They are totally unrelated businesses, though. Thanks for pointing that out!

[7rider]

A downside of washable Ibex and other brand merino sportswear....
not ALL wool is washable!!
A certain someone put my brown wool turtleneck (for dress wear, not sports wear) in the washing machine. And it shrunk from a size Large to a size Small!!!

I tried it on after that debacle. I really can't wear it...

If you want it...it's yours. PM me and I'll send it to you (domestic US please).

1 Kenar "100% Italian Merino" (made in China :rolleyes:) sweater.
Brown, 3/4 sleeves, rolled edges.

Measures as such:
from base of neck in back to bottom: 20"
Across the chest under arms: ~16"

pix available upon request.

[Biciclista]

so far as I know, all Ibex "washable" is washable. Sorry about your size small.

[Cataboo]

A downside of washable Ibex and other brand merino sportswear....
not ALL wool is washable!!
A certain someone put my brown wool turtleneck (for dress wear, not sports wear) in the washing machine. And it shrunk from a size Large to a size Small!!!

I tried it on after that debacle. I really can't wear it...

If you want it...it's yours. PM me and I'll send it to you (domestic US please).

1 Kenar "100% Italian Merino" (made in China :rolleyes:) sweater.
Brown, 3/4 sleeves, rolled edges.

Measures as such:
from base of neck in back to bottom: 20"
Across the chest under arms: ~16"

pix available upon request.

did you get that at tjmaxx or marshalls? I think that's the brand of a turtle neck that I had bought last year at tjmaxx and the same thing happened - wore it once, it accidently went into the washer on cold and it was miniscule when it came out (it didn't go in the dryer)

Since it was only a week after I bought it or s, I took it back to them and told them that shouldn't have happened. They gave me my money back.

[7rider]

did you get that at tjmaxx or marshalls? I think that's the brand of a turtle neck that I had bought last year at tjmaxx and the same thing happened - wore it once, it accidently went into the washer on cold and it was miniscule when it came out (it didn't go in the dryer)

Since it was only a week after I bought it or s, I took it back to them and told them that shouldn't have happened. They gave me my money back.

I think it came from a Marshalls in Connecticut, near my sister's.
Alas...if so, it was last year (don't wear it much), and receipt is long gone.

And that's exactly what happened!

[jessmarimba]

Have any of you guys ever bought the ibex dresses? I really want the hoody one but I'd like a personal review :)

[OakLeaf]

I shrank my favorite Dohm hat. I accidentally threw it into the warm water wash.

[PinkPeddles]

The Twelve Principles of WoolWeenies:*

1. We admitted we were powerless over wool.

2. Came to believe that wool could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of wool as we understood it.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of our wardrobe.

5. Admitted to WoolWeenies, to ourselves, and to another TE members the exact nature of our wool needs.

6. Were entirely ready to have wool remove all our defects of layering.

7. Humbly asked wool to remove our polyester odor annoyances.

8. Made a list of all wool items we had ripped, and became willing to mend them all.

9. Made direct mends to such wool items wherever possible, except when to do so would fray them further.

10. Continued to take wardobe inventory and when we were running low promptly bought more wool.

11. Sought through websearches and discounts to improve our conscious contact with wool, as we understood it, seeking only knowledge of wool's will for us and the budget to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of wearing wool, we tried to carry this message to other woolweenies, and to wear wool in all our activities.




*(with apologies and a respectful nod to AA...) ;)

This list might be the most amazing thing ever created. I already have sent it to the printer to show to all of my girlfriends when we meet up for our ride in the morning. WoolWeenies Reign Supreme!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

This list might be the most amazing thing ever created. I already have sent it to the printer to show to all of my girlfriends when we meet up for our ride in the morning. WoolWeenies Reign Supreme!

Wow, glad to know folks are still reading it...thanks! :)

(wearing lots of WOOL right this very minute!) lol!

[Cataboo]

A friend of mine gave me this massage bar from Lush, that covered me in sparkles. Which was somewhat irritating, but I tried it. It then covered the clothes I was wearing in sparkles....

Then it covered all the clothes that were being washed with the clothes I was wearing with sparkles.

I'm not going to mention how much wool was in that load, wool which doesn't go into the dryer and so the sparkles stay on.

And something in the load leached red or pink (washed on cold), which then dyed my natural bone and brown icebreaker sweater pink and brown. Which I'd be horrified by, but really, the pink and brown looks better than the bone and brown ever did.

Possibly someone else should do my laundry for me.

[Crankin]

I've always said sparkles multiply like those Little People from the Fisher-Price Play Mobil sets.
Anyway, my question sort of has to do with wool, but not entirely. I thought this might be the right place to ask, though.
Since the advent of the x country ski season, I have been having issues feeling damp during my skis. And you don't want to be damp when it's 15 degrees out. I vary my base layers between Craft LS base layers, which are tight and often cause me to overheat on the bike, or Smart Wool very thin base layers. My mid layer is either fleece or wool. I have a Go-Lite jacket that is great. I can't do a wool base layer with a wool mid layer. I am having enough trouble with wool lately, causing itching, even the merino sports stuff I have. That doesn't seem to be as bad as the merino "regular" sweaters I have, which don't seem so merino-like to me.
I did an experiment Monday, wearing a wool base layer and a fleece mid layer. It was really cold out and I still felt damp, even with the wool. The base layer was not wet when I got home, but I didn't notice much of a difference. Putting it politely, I sweat. A lot. But, I hate being cold in the beginning of a ski and I think i might be overdressing... especially the mid layer. Should I bite the bullet and try a thinner mid layer, or can someone recommend a better base layer? I have found that on the bike, I have been needing less clothing in the cold, but at a certain point, I felt chilled when I tried dressing the way I see others dress (when it got in the 30's), mostly due to the sweating issue. I can't even wear my sunglasses when I ski, as I sweat so much, they fog up instantly. I've tried everything for that, too.
Help.

[PamNY]

This list might be the most amazing thing ever created. I already have sent it to the printer to show to all of my girlfriends when we meet up for our ride in the morning. WoolWeenies Reign Supreme!

And to think I was debating not buying the wool tights that are on sale at an offprice store near me. This list saved me from a grievous error.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Crankin,
Normally I'd recommend wearing ONLY wool layers to increase the ventilation, but you are irritated by the wool against your skin, so this is a dilemma.
Wool breathes, which cuts down on the sweating and dampness, yet wool still keeps you warm whether it's damp or dry.

Whatever you can do to increase ventilation will keep you drier. I think it's the damp sweatiness that is making you feel cold. Increase the air circulation and you will feel warmer even if you are not adding layers. Thus, in theory at least, if you remove one of the ventilation-stopping layers, or substitute wool for it, you will hopefully stay drier and thus feel warmer. I feel warm and dry when i wear only minimal layers of just wool- even when I feel the cool breeze coming through the wool fabric i don't feel chilled- and for me that's pretty amazing.
Maybe a layer of silk base layer next to your skin, and then soft merino layers or felted wool jacket on top of it?
That's all I can think of, sorry!

P.S. Cataboo- still chuckling over the sparkle/glitter debacle. Yikes!

[Crankin]

Increasing the ventilation makes sense. I think I am going to try and use only the Smart wool base layers for this week and see, as well as stick to thinner mid layers. I was wearing a very plush Terry fleece jersey as my mid layer when I experimented with the wool base on Monday. I think that one is just too thick and it promotes sweating. My jacket has sleeves that come off, so I could unzip a little, using the detachable sleeves like pit zips. That helps when cycling. I just get freaked out by hypothermia... probably listened too well when I went for my AMC leadership training. I am not shivering, but there's a lot of varying levels of exertion when I ski, which seems to affect me in the sweating department more than when I ride. And, there's, more stopping, at least for me, since I use a waist pack for my water, as I hated skiing with a Camelbak (and the fact that even the winter hose on that froze). And, it's when I am stopped, even for just a minute or so, that I feel damp. I also just ordered a merino hat. Right now I wear a fleece hat when it's 20+ and a wool hat with a fleece lining when it's below that, which keeps me warm, but that hat is really heavy.
Will report back after next weekend.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I get about 10 times hotter and sweatier when I snowshoe than when I bike in the cold. I'm moving a lot more and there's less generated wind!
I find polarfleece to be warm and soft, but I also think it makes me sweatier- I can't feel the air circulating through it like I can with wool, even when the thicknesses seem similar.

[jessmarimba]

Sort of wool-related but also sewing related:

I bought a merino dress at the thrift store today. It's a thin sweater/thicker-than-shirts knit. The length is kind of dorky for me and the dress could stand to be 3-4 inches shorter. I figured I'd take the chance b/c it was only $5, but does anyone know if it can really be cut and hemmed? I have no problem binding off the bottom with something...but I've never tried a project like this with a sweater material before.

[Cataboo]

I'd second Bleecker street girl on increasing ventilation and trying a silk or silkweight baselayer.

What sort of bra are you wearing? I switched to merino wool sports bras because almost every other sports bra I was using left me feeling cold & clammy around the chest after a ride in the cold. So the cold & clammy is concentrated around your breasts, maybe think about trying different sports bras.

You do sound like you're wearing too much. Just some suggestions - if you're going to put a windproof outercoating - use something that's only windproof in teh front or use something which has huge pitzips. My mammut ultimate hoody literally has the entire jacket unzip down to the waist from the pitzips. I just recently got an outdoor research Reflexa jacket that has the same feature. I think for the most part golite skimps on the pitzips because - it makes the jackets lighter. The other thing you can do is get basically a jacket that is windproof only on the front panel and breaths on the back. I've got an rei one that's softshell front, merino wool back. Marmot has their driclime windshirt (I highly recommend the driclime pants as well). Patagonia has the windtracker jacket, I think it's called. Another option is sort of like what you said - just use a windproof vest. Down vests that are made without any windproof/waterproof fabric are also a pretty good way to ventilate, because wind/air goes right through them.

I have a tendancy to overheat and sweat once I start doing cardio activity, so I really do end up not wearing a ton - maybe a thin merino wool layer with the ibex serrano jersey over it, then my mammut ultimate hoody, and a down vest to go on and off if needed. Thin wool hat(like a liner hat), I will put on over gloves, but if I'm working, I'll end up taking those off and using my manzella glove liners. Pants, I really like the ibex alpstars or some of the ibex softshell/wool mixtures. I tend to put on a pair of cloudveil walk dont run boxers (run don't walk?) and tall socks.


Increasing the ventilation makes sense. I think I am going to try and use only the Smart wool base layers for this week and see, as well as stick to thinner mid layers. I was wearing a very plush Terry fleece jersey as my mid layer when I experimented with the wool base on Monday. I think that one is just too thick and it promotes sweating. My jacket has sleeves that come off, so I could unzip a little, using the detachable sleeves like pit zips. That helps when cycling. I just get freaked out by hypothermia... probably listened too well when I went for my AMC leadership training. I am not shivering, but there's a lot of varying levels of exertion when I ski, which seems to affect me in the sweating department more than when I ride. And, there's, more stopping, at least for me, since I use a waist pack for my water, as I hated skiing with a Camelbak (and the fact that even the winter hose on that froze). And, it's when I am stopped, even for just a minute or so, that I feel damp. I also just ordered a merino hat. Right now I wear a fleece hat when it's 20+ and a wool hat with a fleece lining when it's below that, which keeps me warm, but that hat is really heavy.
Will report back after next weekend.

[OakLeaf]

Crankin, I think I'm much like you minus the wool sensitivity, and unfortunately I don't have much good advice ...

It's a very thin line for me between freezing to the point where I will never warm up no matter the exertion, vs. drenched with sweat. In fact, I don't think there is a line ... if I'm not so cold that my performance is impaired, my fingers and toes are numb, and I'm risking a pulled muscle,... then I'm sweating.

+1 on the ventilation, +1 on having wind block only in front, and I'd say if at all possible, have an extra layer (especially hat and gloves) that you can put on whenever you stop. Hat seems to be the best way for me to add a major temperature regulator that I can easily pull off and stow in a pocket - especially if I'm doing something *other* than cycling which involves removing and re-adjusting my helmet.

Presence or absence of hat seems to be good for a difference of at least 10°F ambient, maybe as much as 20°.

[rubywagon]

I have turned my mother into a wool weenie. I have been telling her for months about the awesomeness of merino wool, so today she picked out a nice Smartwool 1/4 zip top. In the car, on the way home, she kept rubbing the wool and saying, "Oooh that is so nice and soft. It isn't itchy at all. I am so excited." :)

And +1 on the ventilation.

[OakLeaf]

I have turned my mother into a wool weenie. I have been telling her for months about the awesomeness of merino wool, so today she picked out a nice Smartwool 1/4 zip top. In the car, on the way home, she kept rubbing the wool and saying, "Oooh that is so nice and soft. It isn't itchy at all. I am so excited." :)

I was extolling the virtues to my yoga teacher the other day. I'll probably wear my Ibex Balance cami next class and let her feel the fabric, then she'll be hooked too. :cool:

[Cataboo]

I almost feel guilty when I make a wool convert, because it is such an expensive habit to have. I've made at least 3 this year.

I recently went on a kayak camping trip in the everglades - the day after we got back, I got an email from one of the girls that went with about what an expensive person to know I was, because she'd gone to costco to get the rechargeable batteries I had, bought all the snacks in costco I'd brought on the trip, bought the patagonia nano puff jacket that I had, and had bought some merino wool.

I was biking with a lady at Bike Virginia who was telling me how these ridiculous people at REI told her to buy wool cycling socks, and who would be stupid enough to buy something like that? Kmerzad and I bought immediately pointed to our feet. So we were mocked for being sheep and just listening to whatever the guy in REI told us to buy. A few days later in the morning, she was chilly so I loaned her my ibex solano jersey... About 10 mins later, she said "well, I'm not getting socks, but I might need a wool jersey like this" She emails me everytime she buys something wool now and I helped her buy smartwool hiking socks a couple weeks ago

I went to the rally to restore sanity with a friend of mine, who very much is a shop at nordstroms or macy's and buy $600 designer purses and clothing person. If was going to be cold, so she borrowed an icebreaker sweater from me. I very nearly didn't get the sweater back, and have been helping her buy wool since. Her bf laughed at her till she bought him some wool socks.

[PamNY]

Sort of wool-related but also sewing related:

I bought a merino dress at the thrift store today. It's a thin sweater/thicker-than-shirts knit. The length is kind of dorky for me and the dress could stand to be 3-4 inches shorter. I figured I'd take the chance b/c it was only $5, but does anyone know if it can really be cut and hemmed? I have no problem binding off the bottom with something...but I've never tried a project like this with a sweater material before.

Here's an article about sewing knits (http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/4584/a-primer-on-sewing-knits) from Threads magazine.

I'm not very skilled with sewing knits, but I know that a stabilizer helps if you are going to sew it with a machine.

[Crankin]

Cataboo, I am fine on the bottom. I wear silk-like long underwear with my Ibex windproof front/wool back tights. And Ibex boy shorts underwear. If it's warmer than 30, I leave off the long underwear, or wear my heavier weight tights I use for cycling. But, I think you are right with the bra. I have been thinking about switching to an Ibex bra for awhile. I am also OK with my gloves/liners. I have a selection of mittens this year and I almost always use liners and hand warmers when it's below 25. I'm OK with the socks, too... Smart Wool all the way.
I bought a Gore cycling jacket from someone on TE; it has pit zips, in fact the sleeves come off. I could wear it skiing, although it's very tight and I may have to re-evaluate my mid layers. At this point, I don't really want to spend the $ for a new jacket. Perhaps at the end of the season, I will look for something on sale.

[Grog]

Have any of you guys ever bought the ibex dresses? I really want the hoody one but I'd like a personal review :)

I did try one on, I can't remember what it was called, but it definitely had a hoody, and definitely did not fall nicely on me, especially the pockets, I had to return it. I wasn't particularly impressed with the feel of it, a bit too thin for my taste. I would have wanted it a bit more structured.

This being said, I am very small on top with solid hips and thighs, so maybe that didn't help.

[Crankin]

I felt much better today, wearing thinner layers. Although, I was so cold when I first got in my car, I had to crank up the heat. I wore the Smart Wool base layer and a thinly lined Athleta quarter zip t-neck. I wore my Gore cycling jacket instead of my Golite. I didn't have to open the pit zips, though. The jacket is thinner than the Golite, but much shorter; some of my mid layers would be hanging out.
I spent some time perusing soft shells, recommended x country jackets on line before I left to ski today. It seemed confusing to me. Some people use soft shells as a mid layer and some use them for the outer layer? Some were on sale now, but I am not sure I want to order on line. For now, I will stick to the wool base layer, no matter how my skin feels and perhaps invest in some lighter weight mid layers. There's a new store in town that sells Ibex and I will probably head over there to buy the bra later in the week, since it will be impossible to find it on sale.

[Cataboo]

Way back when I first bought a softshell, I used to use it layering under a hardshell to ski.


It took me a long time to realize that, it really was okay to use a softshell as an outer layer skiing, I just remember back when I was learning to ski and my not fully waterproof pants would be soaked from me falling in the snow all day.

But now I pretty much ski (cross country or downhill) in softshell pants (my ibex backcountry pants rule) exclusively and on warmer days I ski with a softshell, and on windy days or colder ones, I put a hardshell on.

I still have one medium bio merino wool bra in purple that I listed on here to sell a while back if medium fits you. Ibex does make some nice merino wool/softshell mixture jackets. I know one of mine has pitzips. Okay, 2 of them - one I got new, and another one I got used off ebay that seems to be a really old model that I love.

[Crankin]

OK, one of the jackets I saw on sale was an Ibex combo jacket... the Shak Freestar? Is that what you have? It was a very good price. Now I have go back through my search history to find out where I saw it.
Thanks for the offer of the bra, but I need an x small or small :).

[Cataboo]

No, the shak freestar just looks like it's all wool.

Try the vim hybrid maybe, climawool on front, merino wool on the back:
http://www.altrec.com/ibex/womens-vim-hybrid-jacket

(Hey Rebecca, that'd be a good one for you as well)

If you want all climawool, try the "tuck"

http://www.altrec.com/ibex/womens-tuck-jacket



I guess i'm a few models behind on my ibex jackets, i think I've got the neve and... I don't remember what else. But that speaks well of my shopping habits if I don't know the names of the new models!

[DebW]

I wore my Gore cycling jacket instead of my Golite. I didn't have to open the pit zips, though. The jacket is thinner than the Golite, but much shorter; some of my mid layers would be hanging out.
I spent some time perusing soft shells, recommended x country jackets on line before I left to ski today. It seemed confusing to me. Some people use soft shells as a mid layer and some use them for the outer layer?

Cranking, I was going to ask if the Golite jacket was maybe not as breathable as it should be for your level of exertion. A lot of shells these days try to be waterproof or waterpepellent and breathable, but nothing waterproof is very breathable. Sounds like you're looking in that direction anyway. Don't get anything that claims to be waterproof or even waterresistant by adding a coating to the nylon. You might look for a lightweight shell of plain pertex nylon. Marmot used to make the perfect windshirt like this but discontinued it. I can't speak for any of the newer softshells, and I don't sweat alot anyway.

[Crankin]

OK, the Vim hybrid looks more like what I would want. And I can't find the Tuck on sale anywhere. But, I read several reviews that the jacket is not windproof... what's your take on this? Could I wear it as an outer layer in the teens or lower, assuming I had appropriate mid and base layers?
Last year I thought I had forgotten my GoLite jacket when I went to Craftsbury VT. So, I wore one of my Shaks as an outer layer, until I realized my jacket was buried in the bottom of my suitcase. I was warm enough, but it definitely did not help in the wind.
Edit to add:
Deb, my Go Lite jacket is not waterproof at all, just windproof. It definitely is not breathable enough for me. When I "restarted" x country skiing about 6 years ago, my DH ordered it on line for both of us. I really didn't pay too much attention, as frankly I am not a good "researcher" on line for this kind of stuff. He loves doing this kind of research and he barely sweats. What he wears for outdoor activity is much heavier than what I wear. Of course now, I am much more knowledgeable.
Too many choices.

[Cataboo]

Crankin, I've never actually tried it. So I could say what I think it'd be good for, but I'm not sure of which temperature ranges, 'cause some of that's very individual. I've gone hiking in 20 degree weather and ended up stripped down to a sports bra and wool pants pushed up to my knees. (it was very steep).

Here's a few reviews:
http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com/2009/12/review-ibex-vim-and-ibex-dash-hybrid.html

http://www.trailspace.com/gear/ibex/vim-hybrid-jacket/review/19201/

Basically, the more breathable something is, the less windproof it's going to be. Same with waterproof. It's all tradeoffs, and you've gotta figure out what works. Do you carry a backpack with you that you can put more layers in? Add in a windproof vest in very windy conditions, and you'd probably be fine.

[Crankin]

I understand the trade offs. I'm opting for breathability. I don't ski in the rain and rarely when it's snowing hard. I might wear this jacket for snow shoeing/hiking in the cold in addition to skiing, but it definitely won't be for anything else. I have worn my Golite maybe 5 times on winter rides in the past 5 years. I just don't ride very much in January or February.
Cataboo, I wear a Nathan waist pack that's for hiking rather than running, that has a medium size space for stuff. It's not huge. I usually put different gloves or head gear in there, as well as food. I could not put a jacket in there unless it was very foldable and lightweight. I just found it unbearable to ski with a Camelbak and the damn thing froze up when I tried. Bottles work better for me.
I'm leaning toward the Vim Hybrid. Thank you for all of the information.

[Crankin]

I ordered the Vim Hybrid jacket in red from Ski Rack. Man, what a pain... every time I saw the jacket for a cheap price it was the Vim Hybrid fleece jacket, not the regular one. Ibex has the worst price fixing of all brands. Anyway, I got it for 156.00, free shipping, down from 195.00 everywhere else.
I hope it's worth it.

[Cataboo]

Let me know, I'm pretty curious about it. I almost talked myself into buying one, but it's totally not in the budget.

[Biciclista]

just bought a turquoise colored Ibex Zephyr hat from TE (I ordered it yesterday, I received it today!!!
it is LONG enough to really cover my ears!! YAY!!!
the black hat that I bought used here from another TE lady is starting to look old and now I have a pretty new one.. yAY

[Flybye]

I am announcing my intention to join this club :D:D

[Grog]

I am announcing my intention to join this club :D:D

Show us some wool. :p

[Crankin]

OK, my Ibex Vim Hybrid jacket came today! That was quick, since it came from Vermont. I have to say it fits me better than any jacket I've bought. Even the sleeves aren't too long, which even in an extra small happens, when it's not a petite extra small. It's really thin and it has velcro on the wrists, which is good, because I've ripped a couple of jackets in this area, putting on gloves. I tried it on over the Shak I am wearing and it fit perfectly, with room for even a thicker layer. I won't be able to test it doing any activity until Saturday, maybe Friday.
I had a banner day when the mail came. Besides the jacket, my micro-spikes arrived, along with an order from STP which included a casual cycling/hiking top, a LS wicking shirt from PI, and an Icebreaker hat in a woman's size small that I will test out tonight when I have to go to class in a snowstorm :mad:.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Show us some wool. :p

LOL!



Crankin'- major score day! :eek: :p

[Crankin]

Ha, good thing DH is away...

[emily_in_nc]

Show us some wool. :p

Too funny! :D :D :D

[emily_in_nc]

I had a banner day when the mail came. Besides the jacket, my micro-spikes arrived, along with an order from STP which included a casual cycling/hiking top, a LS wicking shirt from PI, and an Icebreaker hat in a woman's size small that I will test out tonight when I have to go to class in a snowstorm :mad:.

Lucky duck! :D (Well, not the snowstorm part...)

[DebW]

Dear fellow wool weenies,

I have some sad news to share. I wore a hole through the thumb of my beloved 30 year old Dachstein boiled wool mittens last weekend while cross-country skiing in Vermont. :( These have been my favorite mittens for cold hikes (less than 10F) and, more recently, for commuting to work in winter on my mtb. I know Campmor sold Dachsteins several years ago but no longer. However, I did find one online reseller in the US and ordered myself a new pair for $32 with free shipping. :)

DebW

[redrhodie]

Dear fellow wool weenies,

I have some sad news to share. I wore a hole through the thumb of my beloved 30 year old Dachstein boiled wool mittens last weekend while cross-country skiing in Vermont. :( These have been my favorite mittens for cold hikes (less than 10F) and, more recently, for commuting to work in winter on my mtb. I know Campmor sold Dachsteins several years ago but no longer. However, I did find one online reseller in the US and ordered myself a new pair for $32 with free shipping. :)

DebW


That comes out to about $1.07 per year. That sounds like a great product! Still, can you darn them?

[Biciclista]

Yeah, what Red said, Even if you don't know how to darn, you ought to TRY. Then they will have more character when you have repaired them and you will love them that much more.

[OakLeaf]

So true. I don't really darn either, but a couple of my base layers got holes in them a couple of years ago and I was able to repair them just fine after a YouTube refresher course. Finding matching thread was a big issue ... but they're base layers, so I didn't care that much.

[emily_in_nc]

A downside of washable Ibex and other brand merino sportswear....
not ALL wool is washable!!
A certain someone put my brown wool turtleneck (for dress wear, not sports wear) in the washing machine. And it shrunk from a size Large to a size Small!!!

I tried it on after that debacle. I really can't wear it...

If you want it...it's yours. PM me and I'll send it to you (domestic US please).


As the lucky recipient of 7rider's shrunken wool sweater, I just wanted to say again how kind it was of her to send it to me, and how much I love it! It's just my style -- wore it to work today. And in this cold winter, wool is more important than ever!

Thank you again!!! :D :p

[Crankin]

I get to try out my new jacket later today!
Will report tonight.

[Cataboo]

I get to try out my new jacket later today!
Will report tonight.

I hope I/we didn't lead you astray!

[Crankin]

No, you didn't, but now my plans have changed, no snow shoeing today. But, I'm going skiing tomorrow, so it will get tested.

My new Smart Wool hat worked great the other night. I think it will be light enough not to cause the massive sweating while exercising. I didn't get a sweaty head when I had to snow shovel for 1.5 hours yesterday morning, either.

[malkin]

If you can't match the color, go for a striking contrast!

[Crankin]

OK, I wore the Vim Hybrid for 9 miles of x country skiing today. It was warm out; about 30 at the start and up to maybe 36. It was so warm, I took my headband off during the 1,100 ft. climb we did.
The jacket was greta. While I still felt that cool feeling at times, wearing the jacket , with a wool base layer and a light middle layer prevented the excessive sweating. I love the way the jacket fits, especially the velcro on the sleeves.
It's a winner.
My next job is to buy a couple of better mid layers before we leave for Franconia next Friday. Hopefully, EMS or REI will be having a sale where I can walk in and find something. I've been wearing a lot of winter cycling gear and the pieces just don't work.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The jacket was greta.

That sound way betta! :D

Crankin, did you have any allergy/itch issues with wearing a wool base layer?

[Crankin]

Eh, I didn't see the typo until just now.
I didn't itch really, because I had on a thinner type quarter zip wicking top, with a very light thermal lining. I find that when I put the Smart Wool base layer on, I am fine. It's when I put another layer over it and it's tighter on my skin then that's when the itching starts. I had minimum itchy feelings for a couple of minutes and then it went away. I cannot, though, wear a wool mid layer with a wool base layer. I have one Icebreaker wool top I love for winter sports when it's really cold. I may try to build up tolerance to wearing it with the wool base layer, but I think it's more important that I wear wool for the base, to prevent the sweating, and then i can get away with fleece or other wicking material for the mid layer, especially with the new jacket.
I may go snow shoeing today, so I will try more experimenting.

[hebe]

I have wool coming! I bought a blue merino endura baselayer a few months back following all the recommendations on here for wool, and it is perfect, sees as much wear off the bike as on it. So I've ordered an Ibis Women's crew in black, can't wait!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

So I've ordered an Ibis Women's crew in black, can't wait!

Sacrilege!! :eek: ...that would be "Ibex".
Thirty lashes with a wet acrylic noodle!

lol!

[Crankin]

So, today was another experiment in wool, which failed. Put the smart wool base layer on, with a full zip light thermal Craft jersey. No way... I sat around my house itching for 2 hours and changed to a different base and mid layer before going snow shoeing. Then, I put my Vim Hybrid jacket on when we left. It was about 31, but the temperature was going down, it was cloudy, and getting windy. I felt cool until we started climbing the 20+% grade hill for about half a mile. But, no excessive sweating, which is excellent.
Not sure what this means, except that it seems that wearing a wool base layer one day sort of sensitizes my skin and starts some kind of histamine reaction, which is OK if I don't annoy it by wearing wool the next day.

[Owlie]

Sacrilege!! :eek: ...that would be "Ibex".
Thirty lashes with a wet acrylic noodle!

lol!

This is starting to sound like a knitting forum. Just a little. :D

[hebe]

Sacrilege!! :eek: ...that would be "Ibex".
Thirty lashes with a wet acrylic noodle!

lol!

I am not worthy of the wool :o :D

[OakLeaf]

I do sometimes wish that Isis and Ibex were one company, though.

[Crankin]

Just ordered 2 Ibex bras from TE. I am hoping the small fits; while I am x small in the cup, I am somewhat broad in the shoulders/chest, so I think I'm OK.
They were on sale and who cares if they are last year's model? I hope they get here in the mail Thursday, so I can pack them for my trip to Franconia on Friday.
This is what I do when it's a snow day and I'm avoiding studying.

[Biciclista]

Just ordered 2 Ibex bras from TE. I am hoping the small fits; while I am x small in the cup, I am somewhat broad in the shoulders/chest, so I think I'm OK.
They were on sale and who cares if they are last year's model? I hope they get here in the mail Thursday, so I can pack them for my trip to Franconia on Friday.
This is what I do when it's a snow day and I'm avoiding studying.

that's my favorite! I have two. It's comfy almost all year round..

[GLC1968]

Is it wrong that I just ordered a wool blanket for my husband as a Valentine's gift? If we share it, that's romantic, right? :p

[OakLeaf]

I got that ad too. The ad had hearts on it. So it's a perfect Valentine's day gift.

[Cataboo]

If it's the same loden blanket ibex usually has, I have one and like it a lot. It is not as nice and soft as my smartwool blanket - but I don't think smartwool makes throws anymore.

[Cataboo]

I'd snagged a couple $5.99 XXL men's merino wool t shirts off SAC in the middle of the night the other night, thinking that maybe they'll be euro fit and fit my older brother.

They came and they look like they're about a men's large. I'm not sure if he's getting them, 'cause I can have some delightfully soft merino wool t-shirt nightgowns with these. They hit midthigh.

[GLC1968]

'cause I can have some delightfully soft merino wool t-shirt nightgowns with these. They hit midthigh.

Brilliant idea! I need to pay attention to those XXL sales!

I borrowed an Ibex blanket at Susan's house once and it's super warm, so I think it'll be a hit in our poorly heated home. ;)

Oak - good point, I'm just doing what the ad says! :cool:

I'm also going to suggest to my H that a pair of smartwool FiveFingers would be a great V-day gift for me and keep our holiday theme all about the wool!

[Cataboo]

I keep telling myself he's really not going to appreciate them, so I should just keep them.

Maybe I will give him 1 for his birthday and keep the other to sleep in.

[hebe]

My Ibex baselayer arrived today. What with that and the Gore jacket I cannot wait to get out on the bike tomorrow :D

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My Ibex baselayer arrived today.

Congratulations. It's now official. :)

[Crankin]

The bras arrived today, so they are going to NH with me.
I hope they don't itch.

[moonfroggy]

i love my ibex bras and will not buy anything else anymore. i wear them year round and they never get itchy.

cotton feels clammy and uncomfortable now though as a result, especially in hot whether when it gets sweaty. i can't stand anything but ibex which makes a lot of my bras useless but the ibex ones don't seem to need washing as often!

[GLC1968]

Attention wool weenies - keep an eye on SAC these days. I've seen a number of Neve sweaters showing up lately. These are super soft, beautiful wool sweaters - they typically offer them at about $65 a piece (normally well over $100).

I got both a sweater and a pair of wool-silk leggings in the past couple of days!

www.steepandcheap.com

[Crankin]

The bras definitely did the trick, but again, i could wear them for 2 days in a row, but today, when I put it on, I just had to take it off. It's like the trim around the edges is thicker than the rest of the bra and that's where it bothered me.
I would say they are a plus, though. It was an extreme sweating weekend and it seems as if the bra is the key for me, not the base layer. I can get used to the wool and wear them as much as possible for the next few weeks.

[Cataboo]

I wonder if you could put a silk lining into them or something like that? Or just put them on over a silk tanktop?

[Biciclista]

SAC is still always showing sunglasses or something when i check..

[Crankin]

Well, my sewing skills are non-existent, so I am going to just bite the bullet. I washed the bra I wore 2 days in a row and it does feel softer/lighter than the one I haven't worn yet. That will go in the wash before I wear it.
I'm having some weird allergy issues now and I think my body is on high alert. I seem to remember that this happened last year, sort of around this time, maybe late Feb./early March. So, it might be wool related, like a cumulative effect, but it also has to do with my emotional state, which is getting a little nervous about finding a job...

[OakLeaf]

All those might be contributing, plus possibly dust allergies (every house has some, no matter how clean - particularly in bedding). Dust mites are high this time of year when skin is dry and flaky. Even if you don't particularly notice a dust allergy all by itself, if you're sensitive at all, then when your total allergic load is high you'll be more sensitive to everything.

[Crankin]

Dust allergies are one of the few real documented allergies I have. Been much better since i moved to a house with hardwood in the bedroom.
I don't want this to evolve into a health thread, but I am going to try really hard before I give up my wool! I would be freezing, too.
I had a really bad 'reaction," which I won't get into, driving to work this morning. It happened at the same time, same place as two weeks ago, making me suspect something I am eating in the AM may also be coming into play. Of course, with me, once my body gets going, it's hard to predict. I took a Claritin, but I can tell I am now in a bad pattern.
Still not giving up the wool. Geez, I have 3 full zip shaks, 2 hoodies, and a pair of tights I wear to ski in.

[GLC1968]

You know, I don't have issues with wool at all, but yesterday I wore my wool bra again. This is the second time I've worn it and both times, I found myself all itchy for a bit when I first put it on. I had to tell myself to ignore it and like the last time, it eventually went away. It's very strange because my other wool bra (a less supportive one) doesn't do it at all. I'm beginning to think it's the combination of the wool and the bra's construction that's making it happen. I can't think of any other factors as I've been wearing wool next to my skin my whole life with no reaction!

[OakLeaf]

Over the summer I was getting a patchy red rash under both my wool socks and my (non-wool) sports bra, only after long runs. Shorter runs wouldn't trigger it, long periods of wearing the same things on the bike or just around wouldn't trigger it. It would go away within 24 hours.

I'm kind of guessing it was a reaction to my laundry detergent (clear and unscented, but still a commercial detergent). No real idea. I'm just thankful it didn't itch - I wouldn't even have known it was there if I hadn't seen it.

[GLC1968]

When I ordered the blanket for my husband, I also got this dress for me:
https://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product/1618/3372/womens-indie-cross-back-dress?Outlet=1

It came yesterday and OMG - I LOVE IT!!! It fits me like it was made for me, it's super soft and I expect that I'll be wearing this a LOT this summer! I'm actually thinking about ordering the tops that are just like it since I can't imagine needing more than one dress. SOOOO cute!!

[malkin]

Sierra Trading has lots of Neve sweaters right now.

[mariposa]

Just tried out some various microweight/lightweight wool leggings and thought I'd share my observations.

Note, I got these partly for bike-commuting short distances, but mostly just for wearing to work and around town under skirts. I specifically wanted to find *footless* tights/leggings, because I find the "footed" ones pull down on the legs/thighs, and I'm always having to hoist them back up. They also needed to look good enough professionally, under skirts/dresses, i.e. they needed to not look all bunchy or like long underwear.

1) Icebreaker Nature tights, 150-weight. I don't recall the specifics, this was a year ago. I just remember they were *really itchy* so I took them off in disgust and sent them back! I was really surprised, because wool, including Icebreaker, rarely makes me itch. Fit: tight.

Today, I got Patagonia and Ibex tights and tried them against each other:

2) Patagonia Wool 2 tights. Thought I'd try these because I love the Wool 2 top.

What I liked: Very silky, yummy fabric! Look great as leggings; they don't bunch. Extremely comfortable. No itch whatever. True to size.

What I didn't like: Crotch seam is right down the middle (I do after all plan to wear these a bit riding around town, with technical undies under, and a skirt over). There is also a seam stitched all the way down the outer part of the leg; it's not *too* noticeable but makes the tights slightly long-underwear looking, closer up. These tights are 27% polyester, which I'm afraid will stink (that's a problem with the Pat 2 t-shirt). Most expensive of the three tights.

3) Ibex Woolies tights. My first experience with any Ibex Woolies.

What I liked: Just as ridiculously comfortable & attractive as the Patagonia ones. Don't bunch. Crotch seam is split, not right down the middle. There is no outer seam on the leg. 100% wool, so I'm not concerned about stink. Cheaper. A tad warmer.

What I didn't like: These tights have a grandma-rise; they come up a full inch above my belly button! Less silky, and ever so slightly itchier than the Patagonia.

I kept the Woolies, but for the truly itch-sensitive, or for somewhat warmer weather, I'd recommend the Patagonias.

What amazed me most about both the Patagonia & the Ibex is that they looked like true tights, professional, while still being somehow loosely comfortable (in both cases I was between sizes and I sized up). I'd say, for comfort, size up instead of down. They won't be baggy on you.

Hope that's helpful to someone.
Mariposa

[jessmarimba]

Umm...I should be kicked out of the club.

I was just going through my closet looking for something to wear tomorrow when I discovered a brand new Neve sweater I bought over a year ago and have never worn.

Way better than finding $10 in a coat you haven't worn since last season, though!

[Biciclista]

um, Ibex is having their winter sale...

[Biciclista]

Everest Gear has Ibex baselayers for sale, check it out!
http://store.everestgear.com/ibwooulosl.html

[Crankin]

I wore the second Ibex bra on Wednesday. It seriously bothered me when I put it on, but I kept it on. I was snow shoeing with a friend who is not as fit as me, so I never really sweat that much or worked that hard to make me forget about it.
Was going to go nordic skiing this morning, but studying and temperatures below zero, as well as a hair appt. this afternoon is necessitating a trainer work out. Will test more this weekend.

[merlin]

EMS sale has Ibex items for lower prices than the Ibex site.
Scored a Shak full zip in shiraz and a Tarrah in black plum.
Wishing I could afford the Lexie jacket. I love my similar Mollie jacket.

[PamNY]

Hope that's helpful to someone.
Mariposa

It is; thanks. I hate grandma rise.

[malkin]

Hey woolieweenies!
How many of these could I need?

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,3456N_Neve-Belle-Hooded-Jacket-Boiled-Wool-For-Women.html

[jessmarimba]

I don't know, but now I need one.

Do the sleeves on the jackets run any longer than their sweater sleeves? The sweater I have is almost bordering on too-short sleeves for me.

[Catrin]

My LBS is being kind enough to allow me a 50% discount on a lovely Smartwool long-sleeve jersey. It has the kind of pockets in the back I like, a lovely dark reddish color, and even a pocket on the sleeve :) Even better, they are holding it for me until Friday when I will actually have the money - it is still far from cheap at 50%...

There were only 2 left in the color I wanted, medium and large. Both fit - I went for the larger one with the idea that I might want to wear a base layer underneath it and it would work better for that.

Considering this is a wool jersey, will I even NEED to wear a base layer with it? I've learned that I won't really consider riding in temps <35. At least that is the way it is THIS year - next year I may not be so thin blooded.

What say you, o Woolen Wise-Women? I don't have much experience with wool in general, and the only other wool items I have are a base layer and two Swobo short-sleeve jerseys that I have not yet had a chance to wear. I hope to change that tomorrow :)

[OakLeaf]

I will definitely wear two layers of wool (in fact, I am right now - and I do on the bike when it's cold, as well).

You'll still probably still want a wind blocking jacket, but that can just be a shell you can wear in warmer weather, if your middle and base layer are nice warm wool.

[Catrin]

I will definitely wear two layers of wool (in fact, I am right now - and I do on the bike when it's cold, as well).

You'll still probably still want a wind blocking jacket, but that can just be a shell you can wear in warmer weather, if your middle and base layer are nice warm wool.

I have a quite nice PI thermal jacket - but as it is an XL (from last winter when I was so much larger than now) it is HUGE - which isn't really a problem except the back of it tends to get caught behind/beneath my saddle. I am going to sell it but trying to make it work for a little longer.

I just wish jackets weren't so expensive, but that is the way of the world...I do want to find one that is more visible than my current black one with a touch of red...

[malkin]

I don't know, but now I need one.

Do the sleeves on the jackets run any longer than their sweater sleeves? The sweater I have is almost bordering on too-short sleeves for me.

The sleeves are longer than normal! And I have longish arms.
The arms are a bit slender.

I actually ordered one in each size, thinking that one would work. The small is too tight in the arms, the medium is good and the large is good too, so I couldn't decide. Besides, the large is black/purple and the medium is bark/red.

Brewer used the word 'erotic' to describe the wool.

Something about this jacket reminds me of Le Petit Prince.
:)

[GLC1968]

The sleeves are longer than normal! And I have longish arms.
The arms are a bit slender.

I actually ordered one in each size, thinking that one would work. The small is too tight in the arms, the medium is good and the large is good too, so I couldn't decide. Besides, the large is black/purple and the medium is bark/red.

Brewer used the word 'erotic' to describe the wool.

Something about this jacket reminds me of Le Petit Prince.
:)


Damn you, malkin! :p

I just used a huge chunk of my Q4 bonus on Neve sweaters from Sierratradingpost! I ordered 3 for me and one for my husband. I should be locked up. :eek:

[jessmarimba]

Maybe I'm lucky that their sweaters don't quite fit :) Along with almost every other wool clothing company out there.

[malkin]

Really, jess...

You do know that if the fit is a little off in a wool garment that you can block it to fit you!

(malkin, the wool devil temptress...bwah ha ha haaaaaa!)

[Cataboo]

I went underneath my bed today and pulled out my wool stash. Apparently, I have gone all winter wearing wool without going into my wool stash.

So I sorted through it and a lot of it will appear on here in a few days.

[malkin]

Eager to see what you've got!

[redrhodie]

Anyone interested in a very slightly used (like maybe 50 miles total) pair of Ibex women's cycling shorts, size M? I can post pics if anyone is. Not sure what I want for them. I'd consider trade (wool).

[Catrin]

Anyone interested in a very slightly used (like maybe 50 miles total) pair of Ibex women's cycling shorts, size M? I can post pics if anyone is. Not sure what I want for them. I'd consider trade (wool).

I would be interested, assuming they don't run small. I wouldn't have any other shorts to trade for, but do have a SWOBO SS jersey that you might find interesting ;)

[Crankin]

I am wearing my Ibex skirt today.
I've only worn it once or twice, even though I've had it for 2 years. It's hard to find something that looks good with it; I love the wide waist band and it is very flattering, but when I pair it with most of my sweaters which have a new, longer length, it becomes very unflattering. I have one shorter sweater from about 5-6 years ago and with a tucked in shirt this looks OK. I tried it with a Shak, thinking I could have an Ibex "suit," but that looked awful.
I think this is a short person's problem.

[redrhodie]

I would be interested, assuming they don't run small. I wouldn't have any other shorts to trade for, but do have a SWOBO SS jersey that you might find interesting ;)

That might work. What color is the jersey? The shorts don't run small.

[Catrin]

That might work. What color is the jersey? The shorts don't run small.

I have two of them, one is black and the other blue. They have a nice cut and I like them quite a lot. Two pockets in the back - you could have your pick of color.

Do you think the shorts would be too warm for riding later in the spring? I am thinking that probably wouldn't be a problem.

I won't be home until quite late tonight, but if you are interested I can post a picture of both jerseys so you can see what they look like - they are the same outside of color. I could give up a jersey to gain a pair of shorts - and have been wanting to try wool.

[redrhodie]

I have two of them, one is black and the other blue. They have a nice cut and I like them quite a lot. Two pockets in the back - you could have your pick of color.

Do you think the shorts would be too warm for riding later in the spring? I am thinking that probably wouldn't be a problem.

They're perfect for spring and fall, and even under tights in winter. They'd probably be too warm for over 75º.

I'm interested in the black one. Is it a S or M? Is it plain?

[lph]

I am wearing my Ibex skirt today.
I've only worn it once or twice, even though I've had it for 2 years. It's hard to find something that looks good with it; I love the wide waist band and it is very flattering, but when I pair it with most of my sweaters which have a new, longer length, it becomes very unflattering. I have one shorter sweater from about 5-6 years ago and with a tucked in shirt this looks OK. I tried it with a Shak, thinking I could have an Ibex "suit," but that looked awful.
I think this is a short person's problem.

Could you post a picture of that skirt?
I have one floor-length black skirt, bellshaped, that *only* goes with a long tightfitting singlet-type top over, to smooth out the blippety waistline, and a short, cropped almost, wool sweater over that - that itches like the devil. Looks nice, but not very versatile.

I'm "into" skirts and especially dresses at the moment, I splurged and bought a couple of really nice thin merino wool dresses recently for a wedding and a birthday party, that can also be used for work :) I'll see if I can find the photos I snapped with my phone when I was trying to decide the colour (yeah, I sent them home and asked my dh to help me choose :D). Pretty, huh? First time ever shopping in a real live designer store...

[Catrin]

They're perfect for spring and fall, and even under tights in winter. They'd probably be too warm for over 75º.

I'm interested in the black one. Is it a S or M? Is it plain?

It is plain outside of a logo on one of the sleeves. I will have to check on the size, it is either a medium or large, can't remember which. If it IS a large like I think it is, it runs small - I wasn't able to actually wear it last year - it fits perfectly now though.

The shorts sound perfect - I wouldn't have expected to wear them in warmer temps than that - time for my bibs when it gets that warm.

I will check on the size and confirm when I get home tonight - it will likely be after 9:00 when I can get to it. Will also post a picture at that time. The logo is rather small and not unattractive.

[redrhodie]

I don't need a picture, it sounds good. I just didn't want the one with the giant "SWOBO" across the front, which I saw when I was googling. M would be better than L, but I'm not too fussy about size. It could be a little big.

PM me your address, since I know you moved since our last transaction.

lph, you look gorgeous! I love those dresses.

[lph]

yeah, I'm really pleased :)