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Hmmm, I started looking at bottoms. I like both the roaster boxer and the long Janes. Any comments on these pieces, advantages of boxer vs full length, etc. Do the boxers ride up? (I have some from VS that do and it annoys me). These are mid weight. Some reviews of the lighter stuff like the woolies say they get holes easily.
I don't know about the Ibex boxers, but the pair of Smartwool boxers I have DO ride up...a little. (Probably more to do with my anatomy than any design flaw in the boxers! :D) I find that I don't wear them much--NOT because they ride up, but because I usually wear long thermals if it's realllllly cold.
I nabbed a great pair of Ibex wool tights with a windblocker facing on the front on sale on a ski shop website about two months ago for $85 (regularly $130 or so). LOVE them! (No name for the style; I think they were probably from a few seasons ago.).......And I also have a pair of Terry's good winter tights (bought at the 1/2 price sale a couple of months ago). Both are so warm that neither seems to require another layer underneath, at least down to, say, 25F. In fact, they can be *too* warm, so I only put them on when the thermometer is definitely below 35 and likely to stay that way during the ride.
I do have one pair of light, long Smartwool bottoms, but I only wear those under hiking pants now that I have the two seriously warm tights mentioned above. They would probably work very nicely under a pair of my loose tights, but I prefer a one-layer approach for my legs. Funny, 'cause I love multiple layers on the top half!
My BF teases me that I have clothing combos for EVERY conceivable temperature and precipitation! AND I carry back-ups in my truck "just in case" I leave something at home. :)
I must confess. I did it, AGAIN, I made ANOTHER Ibex order. But I did restrain myself. I removed ALL ITEMS from the cart that I didn't really need or weren't on sale before hitting the submit order button. And those were a lot of items! I removed that pretty vest in the same color as my shak, cuz I have vests and don't like the boucle weave. I removed the pretty cyling jersey on sale that matches my bike, cuz I have enough cycling jerseys. I removed the tights that weren't on sale cuz my drifit tights really do work as a lower body base. So what did I order?:
Ibex Knee and Arm Warmers. They were great prices and I really did NEED them. And one more base, this time a mid-weight. The mulberry ribbed crew: http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Product...t=Ribbies-Crew
I liked that this is mid-weight, heavier than the light weight Kate, and let me see if my skin can tolerate the 18.5 micron wool as well as the finer 17.5 of my Kate. I also thought it would like nice with my charcoal gray wool suit at my DC meeting.
I really want a zepher, but not till it goes on sale! I am also now realizing what a great bargain the organic sweater was, seemed really expensive when I made the order, but now that I understand this stuff, I can't wait until it arrives. I promise a review for all!
Here is another item I put in my cart but stopped myself from ordering, cuz I don't need anymore shorts. But if you do and wear a size small its a good deal:
http://www.westhillshop.com/index.as...ROD&ProdID=235
I have a couple of those ribbies too...in Sand color and blue Larkspur (a no longer available color). They are NICE, and make great base layers. Thicker and warmer than the lightweight base layers like the Woolies and SW microweight. They have teeny tiny ribbing. But the cuffs do make them look a bit like long johns. I love them, and they are a good price at $55. I almost got one of those same mulberry color the other day, Triskellion! The Sand is a nice sort of pebble color. (Don't confuse them with the light weight LW Ribbies, also on sale right now.)
As for bottoms....
I have tried on the Ibex Loose Tights and had to send them back. They look so GREAT on my slender hipped friend, but awful on me with my hourglass type figure. They just don't drape right on me. I tend to look better in capris and leggings and tights rather than traditional pants.
I really lucked out last year with Ibex tights. At that time, they didn't yet have the new "Energy" tight: http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Product...t=Energy-Tight
They had the Approach tight, which was the same as the energy tight but without the ankle zippers. Anyway, when they got the new Energy tights in, they put the Approach tights on sale last autumn from $120 to $60...and I grabbed them up! I got one for each of my two daughters and their girlfriends for Xmas, plus 2 for myself. My girls all wear theirs all the time now.
They are like the new Energy tight, a very heavy stretchy wool with a bit of spandex for stretch. I would say they are like stretchy shaks for the legs. :p
I just love mine, and wear them just like ski pants in the day or else I put a little black skirt over them....and I also wear them to sleep in at night, I love the wool-massage feeling they give my legs. :) Keep your eyes peeled in the Spring for when they put heavier winter stuff like the tights on sale.
I often wear one of my ribbies and my tights to sleep in. On less cold nights I'll wear a Woolie and the tights.
Wool is addictive in a wonderful way. It just makes me feel good all over.
So, Lisa how was the sizing on the ribbed shirt? Do you have your standard medium? Is it dressy enough to wear by itself or only as an undershirt? I was definitely a small in the Kate and it even fits a tad loose but it is described as semi-fit whereas the ribbed shirt is described as fitted. I noticed this after I ordered, I hope the small is OK. My problem is that while I have a slender waist and hips, I have serious boobage (34D), but if the ribs stretch without pulling I'll be fine. I probably should have waited till morning and phoned the order in so I could chat with them about it. I just thought if I made the damn order already I could get wool off my mind and get back to work.
This wool thing is driving me crazy. WHO KNEW? This is not the same wool I tried to wear 20 years ago. In fact I am sitting here now in a 20 year wool sweater that is fine with a wool base, but itches me with a silk base. WHO KNEW? I even made a post on this thread a year ago that I was allergic to wool. Now I feel bad that I spent all that money on cotton stuff that won't keep me warm. It doesn't help that we are in the middle of our coldest days ever stuff (lows in the 30s). I actually think that its worse for me since my house lacks central heating, than being in a place where its cold all the time but at least the interiors are properly heated.
OK, woolweenies. I need your help to choose one outerlayer to bring on my trip up north in early february. I don't want to buy another coat for what is a once a year trip for me so these are my choices:
1. My daughter thinks I should bring what I call my big puffy coat. Its one of those coats that covers me from head to toe, waterproof nylon on the outside, stuffed with some man made stuffing, and has a huge furry hood. Yeh, its hideous looking and several sizes too big on me (I bought it 35 lbs ago in a rush to wear to my mothers funeral.....) but I remember being toasty warm in it burying my mom in a blizzard. If its way too big do I have to worry about all that air in there, or will it all just get heated up by my body and work great, even if I look like an elephant in it. DD thinks this is the one cuz she worries I'll get sick easily from the drastic change in temperature like she did upon returning to school from the holidays.
2. I was thinking to bring a heavy leather jacket, with the zip out lining zipped in. This comes maybe mid-hip in length. Looks the sharpest and is what I wear here in our 30-40 degree days, only a little big but good for accepting layers. My daughter worries it won't be good if it rains or snows.
3. I have a ski jacket, synthetic and insulated, very cute looking, but again on the short side (maybe even shorter than the leather jacket in terms of the insulated portion, cuz its designed to wear over ski pants and no hood), but at least can handle wet weather. This is probably the best compromise between style and warmth. It does fit me cuz I bought it 20 years ago, pre-children.
4. I have a Columbia 3 in one jacket (ski type shell with zip out fleece jacket), just covers my hips and butt, has a hood, only a little bit on the big side, but also very puffy looking.
5. I have a WOOL dress coat, 3/4 length, but fairly open in front and also several sizes too big for me.
The medium ribbie fits me perfectly, and is form fitted. The medium shak fits me perfectly, but is not quite as form fitted. The large ribbie and large shak both fit me nicely too, but with a bit more roominess so I can wear another layer under them. I think if the small shak fits you nicely, the small ribbie will too. The "ribs" on it are so tiny they are almost not visible, so there won't be any weird stretched rib look over your boobs, don't worry. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Triskeliongirl
I think the mulberry ribbie will look cute enough to wear at work with nice pants. It doesn't have any longjohn cotton waffle look. :p The color is pretty and won't look like longjohns either. If the small is too snug for work, then you can exchange it for the medium- the difference in sizes seems slight. Ibex will give you a credit, maybe $6? for shipping, *I think*, if you are merely exchanging sizes on something.
Can you post a picture of you in it if you like it? I'd love to see that mulberry Ribbie in a photo on someone. I keep thinking I should get one in mulberry before they are all gone, but hard to know about the color without seeing another photo.
Yes I remember your "allergic" post back then. :DQuote:
This wool thing is driving me crazy. WHO KNEW? This is not the same wool I tried to wear 20 years ago. In fact I am sitting here now in a 20 year wool sweater that is fine with a wool base, but itches me with a silk base. WHO KNEW? I even made a post on this thread a year ago that I was allergic to wool. Now I feel bad that I spent all that money on cotton stuff that won't keep me warm. It doesn't help that we are in the middle of our coldest days ever stuff (lows in the 30s). I actually think that its worse for me since my house lacks central heating, than being in a place where its cold all the time but at least the interiors are properly heated.
Indeed, WHO KNEW? The nice thing is that your wool will last many years if you treat it fairly kindly.
When I first got turned onto merino/Ibex/Smartwool in Fall 2006, I was so excited that I bought some things that maybe weren't the ideal things for me. Good stuff, but not ideal. As I read and tried on and evaluated more items over the months, I got more familiar with the goods and slowly got a feeling for what worked best for me and my particular lifestyle. Lucky for me I have 4 girls (2 daughters and their 2 girlfriends), 3 of whom are my size- so I was able to pass a few of my early purchases on to them and they were thrilled. (I also bought them a few new things for xmas etc, and got to examine more items firsthand that way too!) Now I have more of an idea for what works well for me.
Often i found that an item i loved at first just didn't work well after a month or so. Other items that I was ok with at first, later became my most favorite worn things. Don't be afraid to take your time and wear things for a while to get to know them. That experience in wearing the stuff really helps you when you go to plan your next item. :)
What area are you going to "up north"? Freezing Canada? Rainy Seattle? Milder PA? That can help us give you advice. All I can say now is that I would feel pretty nasty if I had to wear a coat down to my ankles that was puffy and 3 sizes too big for me.
Thanks Lisa, sorry if I have been monopolizing this thread, but there is so much to learn! I will post some pictures, maybe when I visit my daughter in Boston, since she is the only one that I can ever get to photograph me. So, where am I going. First I am going to Wash DC. Here I will be mostly indoors at meetings in a hotel. I will only need an outer layer to perhaps walk one evening to a restaurant, and perhaps I'll metro it there from the airport, but if its nasty out I can get take taxis (I am kind of cheap, you wouldn't know it by my recent purchases, but I get a per diem so if I don't use taxis I get to keep more $, so they sort of pay for taxis, but reward you if you don't take them if that makes any sense). Then I will fly to Boston to visit my kids for the weekend. There we will be car free, so will be walking around a lot, and perhaps waiting in the cold for buses. My daughter has snow boots ready to give me just in case, otherwise I will plan to wear leather ankle boots. I also have leather gloves and a nice wool thingie (?cowl) I got 20 years ago that is sort of a scarf/hat combo, a knitted tube that I can use to cover my neck, face and head as much or as little as necessary.
I think my new purchases will work great for the inner and mid-layers. I bought one charcoal grey wool suit, as separates, with a second pair of matching pants, and two pairs of black wool pants at a really good after xmass sale at ann taylor loft (these pieces cost nothing compared to my ibex!). To get variety, I can either wear the suit jacket, my shak, or if I like it and keep it (which now I am hoping I will) the organic sweater, with my base layers, and if that isn't enough I have lots of nice mid-weight cotton sweaters to fit in between. I may wear my old terry cycling tights with the very thin chamois as a lower body base if I feel the need. The chamois is so thin its not noticeable and the pants fit fine over it.
I have 3 pair of Roaster Boxers and 1 pair of Long Janes. (the gray ones that match the Boxers)Quote:
Originally Posted by Triskeliongirl
The Boxers are my all-time favorite underwear for EVERYTHING. I love them! They do NOT ride up (unlike Smartwool) They are incredibly comfortable.
The Long Janes are a great weight (they are just long Boxers) and I wear them for running, biking, sleeping, and as long undies.
My boxers get washed after every wearing, and are going strong. The Janes get washed about once a week, no sign of problems. Even the inner thighs (where I always wear out fabric... my thighs are big from muscles, yeah, that's it...) have no thinning or pilling or friction damage.
So do the boxers have seams, i.e. do you use them instead of panties or with panties?
They have a full gusset, so no seams in icky spots. I wear them as underwear/panties. I'm a boxer-brief gal, regular underwear just isn't comfortable and tends to creep around on my, umm, "voluptuous" hips. Out of about 6 different brands of women's boxer briefs I own, Ibex is the clear winner. I wear them winter and summer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Triskeliongirl
Thanks Lisa and Knotted for all that great info. Well the roaster boxers and energy tight are next on my list, but I will wait for them to go on sale. Lisa, you live near Boston, any stores in Boston/Cambridge I might check out for Ibex sales in February? (Lisa, did you know I also bought my titanium Isis at Harris Cyclery, they were the only shop that had one left in my size so I purchased it there on a trip to the cape).
I agree Lisa, I need time to wear the pieces I have just bought. Each day is a surprise. Like today, my shak was still wet on my drying rack from its first wash so I put my Kate on under a cotton ribbed henley, and found that I was amazingly warm even without another layer. How can something so THIN, give me so much warmth? The clerk in the store was so wrong, no wonder they ended up unsold and on the 50% off winter clearance rack. I bought the 2 black smalls they had, didn't buy the lime greens cuz wasn't sure that color would go with my clothes, but I am oh so tempted to go back for them..... But restraint, I already have the mid-weight ribbed crew on the way.
I always considered my shebeest drifit long sleeve cycling jerseys as my 'base' and then just cover them with my PI gavia jacket if its cold. But do you guys wear these wool bases under that kind of jersey? Also does anyone cycle in the energy tight? Do you need to size up if you want to put it over a cycling short w chamois? Is it warmer than say a shebeest or terry cycling tight (I have what terry calls the cool weather not cold weather tights). I do find my legs feel cold in them when the temp. drops below 40, which is probably why I don't ride in the 30s. If I ride I can put my goretex pants over them, but not really fond of riding in a pant.
Trisk, it's fun to watch you opening your packages.
I wear wool under winter jerseys, yes. The best of all worlds (in sub 40 degree weather) I wear a wool base layer with a lined zip up jersey on top followed by my raincoat (Showers pass)
This way I can unzip the raincoat and the jersey when necessary.
Cool!Quote:
Originally Posted by Triskeliongirl
I know nothing of Ibex outlets near Boston, because i live 2 1/2 hour drive west of Boston, in NY, near the western border of MA. ;) We drove a lot when we got our Rivendells at Harris. My Rambouillet was in stock there too, in my size! I remember seeing Terry bikes there. Did you get your bike there from Elton?
Remember, most clerks haven't spent even one tenth of the time you have in researching wool. :cool: They don't know nothin', but they are paid to sound like they do. :rolleyes: You will really like the ribbie when you get it.Quote:
Each day is a surprise. Like today, my shak was still wet on my drying rack from its first wash so I put my Kate on under a cotton ribbed henley, and found that I was amazingly warm even without another layer. How can something so THIN, give me so much warmth? The clerk in the store was so wrong, no wonder they ended up unsold and on the 50% off winter clearance rack. I bought the 2 black smalls they had, didn't buy the lime greens cuz wasn't sure that color would go with my clothes, but I am oh so tempted to go back for them..... But restraint, I already have the mid-weight ribbed crew on the way.
Let's see.... :confused: Yes I wear merino thin base layers under anything I want, and often under bright yellow polyester jerseys cause I like being seen in traffic on my bike. Makes the poly jersy seem 3x as warm.Quote:
But do you guys wear these wool bases under that kind of jersey? Also does anyone cycle in the energy tight? Do you need to size up if you want to put it over a cycling short w chamois? Is it warmer than say a shebeest or terry cycling tight (I have what terry calls the cool weather not cold weather tights). I do find my legs feel cold in them when the temp. drops below 40, which is probably why I don't ride in the 30s. If I ride I can put my goretex pants over them, but not really fond of riding in a pant.
As to the energy tight -which is much like my approach tight- I wear these thick wool tights all the time....sleeping, walking, supermarket, biking, whatever. Since wool does breathe, on the bike the wind factor might mean you need an additional layer. If it's really cold I might wear my Shebeest chamois tights with my Ibex Approach tights over them. Or, I might wear my Ibex tights and then a padded short OVER them. (i enjoy the dork factor). The Ibex wool tights are VERY stretchy and will go on nicely over whatever other tights or shorts you want- no need to order a size up to layer them.
In the dead of winter I often go out for the day or go walking 5 miles in 20 degreesF wearing either:
My approach wool tights with an UnderArmor tight or a fleece tight on top of them...
or,
My UnderArmor tights or a fleece tight with the Ibex wool tights on top of them.
Either combo would be fine for cold biking down to about 30- you can use either of your winter chamois biking tights combined with the Ibex tight, and you probably wouldn't need the Goretex pants then. The tights let you move better.
I can go snowshoeing in the Ibex tights with a biking rain pants over them to keep the snow off.
It's all pretty versatile.
Exciting wool event today!:
DH took me to a sporting apparel store in MA (west coast!) that I heard has a lot of Ibex now. Indeed they did have quite a selection of Ibex, and it was weird to suddenly see many items that I have thus far only seen online and in photos. Everything was "alive"! =8-O
I got to try on all kinds of things that I've often wondered about or hesitated about, like....
They had the shaks in all 4 colors (i have only the black and brown), and I tried on the WarmGreen and the ThistleHeather ones. Though they looked fine on me, I decided I wasn't that much in love with either color and will make do with my black and brown ones until I can see what next autumn's shak colors are like.
I saw the Kates there! They are wonderful, and very soft. I loved that soft smoky lavender color, and the black....but they didn't flatter my figure much at all, like the shaks do. :( They emphasized my modest excesses around the waist and hips, they would have looked great if I was 15 pounds lighter. So I passed on those too.
I have enough in the way of nice jacket and vest and sweaters, so I really didn't much look at those things. DH was patiently meandering about and I didn't feel too rushed.
The one thing that caught my eye was the Carrie hoodie, which looked good on me too and I liked the weight and material. So I think I'll wind up getting one of those.
The best thing was that I came away feeling pretty happy about the things that I already have. I felt I had made some good choices considering I had to choose from things without seeing them in person in a store beforehand. So that was nice. :)
Lisa, where was that store? In Gt. Barrington?
I haven't seen Ibex in ANY store in the Boston area. I've looked at E. Mtn. Sports, REI, and a local "outdoor store." I thought they only sold their stuff on line.
Robyn
Robyn,
It's "The Arcadian Shop" in Lenox, MA:
http://www.arcadian.com/
Apparently they have sold small amounts of Ibex items for a long time, but now they have a whole section of Ibex for men and women. My friend was there when the Ibex reps were putting the finishing touches on the "Ibex mini-shop". If you go, be aware that there are a few Ibex items sort of hidden in their cycling area as well to check out- like El Fitto knickers and Ibex wool cycling jerseys.
OMG! I can't believe I have never been to this store. We've been going to the Berkshires for cycling trips for the past 4 years, in addition to a few skiing and cultural excursions there.
I may have to take a field trip there SOON. Maybe we can meet for lunch in the cafe....
Robyn
I have strayed... I just ordered this: http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...feat=502282-tn
It's cute, it's cheap. The one I ordered (black) has hot pink trim-bits. I imagine it will look lovely with a pair of faded jeans.
BTW, LL Bean has some nice merino shirts on sale for $30. T-necks, LS crews, and t-shirts. http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...Search&feat=sr
Knott--Those T-shirts are nice. Very soft, look nice. I have a couple of them, but they sold out of my size really fast so I had to go w/a small instead of the better-fitting xtra small.
I LOVE LLbean
OK, I have to fes up.
1. I started corresponding with Knotted about my wool needs *IN PRIVATE* cuz I was too emabarrased to admit it to the rest of you.
2. I ordered MORE WOOL. Yes, I said it, I *DID IT* but help, I *MUST STOP*. Some of it is prompted by our unseasonbable cold weather here. Club rides were cancelled, it was in the 20s in the Hill Country where our rides were supposed to start from this morning. I can't get the first floor of my house above 60, and thats with the gas radiator, stove and all burners lit. So, now you see, I just HAD to order more wool......... But it is a sickness, and I MUST STOP NOW.
3. I WILL return some of it. I actually do MEAN that cuz this time I double ordered some pieces in small and medium to try on. But, will I be able to return as much as I should???? I DON'T KNOW???? But, I will stick to my gotta really love it rule.
4. So, what did I order? What made me do it?
Everyday that I wear the few pieces I own I am amazed more and more. I never cycled in wool cuz I worried I would overheat, but now I get it. Instead of wearing clothes that make you cold for the first 10 minutes, and warm towards the end, WOOL ADJUSTS. It really does!! So, then I realized owning pieces that take me from cycling or other outdoor winter sports to everyday use is what I MUST DO.
I never used to buy cycling jerseys without back pockets, but then I realized that my screaming yellow PI Vagabound jacket, in either jacket or vest mode pairs perfectly over my shak, so voila, pockets AND visiblity are taken care of. If its raining, no problem, same thing with my screaming yellow Craft Rain Jacket. If its really cold, my terry headwind vest adds more warmth with pockets to boot. So what did I do? I ordered a second full zip shak on sale at Uncle Dans, this time in black. It also helped that the first one looked and fit so nice after laundering. I told myself that in return I will return the Ibex organic sweater when it comes, but if I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT, I *may* keep it. I ordered it in M to either layer over my S shak, or my heavy cotton sweaters, but then I realized I wouldn't need to do that if I ordered some mid-weight zip bases to put under, and I already have the terry headwind vest to put over if necessary. I also realized that I would rather have a sweater that I can cycle in or dress up in, than one for dress up only.
But, I couldn't find Ibex bases on sale in styles I liked, but I got a sierra trading post 20% off coupon yesterday so I ordered some zip T-necks in Icebreaker bodyfit 260 http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...For-Women.html as well as the matching long janes: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...For-Women.html , all with the wise counsel of Knotted via a lengthy PM exchange (thanks Knotted!). Now, is Knott a wool enabler or is Knott a WOOL ENABLER??? To quote from Knott: "Absolutely buy some Icebreaker! It's good stuff!" Let's say it, KNOTT IS A WOOL ENABLER.
I also ordered the base bottoms, cuz the thought of wearing cycling tights with chamois under my everyday clothes for a week in new england was just too unappealing. And now I don't need to buy a flannel nightgown either!
Woo-HOOOOO! :cool: :D
Now Lisa, I know right from the start you thought I needed another shak vs the organic sweater. Now I think you were right! The shak is just such an amazing piece. I did hesitate (ok, maybe only a *little bit*) before ordering another one, but I hate when you find a piece you love, and then it gets changed the next year, or they don't make it in the color you want, etc. I patiently waited for my shak to dry, and when I pulled it on over my Kate this morning, I just went ahhhhhhhhhhhh. I HAD TO DO IT!Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.
You guys never answered my coat querry, but now that I have this layering stuff now I know which coat to bring on my trip to new england, my columbia 3-in-1 parka. While not the most stylish, its only a little too big. Its a medium and if I were buying new today I'd buy a small, but its great for layering up with all my wonderful new wool pieces. So again, whether I wanna do something really active or sedate, I just have to layer it up appropriately. I'll also pack my goretex pants. Same thing, while they are a little too big, it means I can even layer them over my wool dress pants so I'll be prepared for anything from a blizzard to unseasonably warm weather.
But, oh, you girls are SO EVIL, especially LISA and KNOTT. Yes Lisa, you too are a WOOL ENABLER!!!
Tri- that new full zip black shak will look great over your mulberry ribbie!
Love my larkspur ribbie so much that I finally went ahead and got it in mulberry as well. I got the very last large mulberry one, because they were gone right after my order processed. :)
I got to try the Carrie hoodie on at that store yesterday, and so I did order one at 30% off directly from Ibex. I got the green one- it's a very beautiful rich emerald mossy green and looked nice on me in the store. It was good that I was able to try things on yesterday. I had been tempted by the oatmeal colored Carrie hoodie online, but in real life it made me look fat because of the light color. We'll steer clear of that one! :cool:
I sort of had to buy those new items because I was afraid that Triskellion would start to catch up with me. ;)
Robyn- yes we could meet there sometime at The Arcadian Store! As soon as I figure out how to drive there on my own :rolleyes:. My picky coffee acquaintance says they have the best espresso in the whole area. Did you see on their website that they are hosting some snowshoe and xcSki walks from there into the nearby park which has groomed trails? I have not looked at the details though, and I don't know if they provide man-made snow or what....I don't know much about those kinds of things since I'm not a skier.
Hey Lisa, enjoy your carrie hoodie! I did try one on too, and it is a lovely piece.
You know Lisa, I may just have to keep the organic sweater (OS) and black shak. I had to order the OS in M cuz they were out of S, but I realized that means it will layer nicely over both my thistle and black shaks. So, while not exactly double shaking like you do, I'll get the same end result now won't I? If I do that, can I just layer the columbia parka over without the bulky zip-out fleece jacket (without the zip-out jacket its just like a typical moutain style shell jacket you'd find in a ski or outdoor store)? If so, how cold a temp could I go out in, not to exercise, but to city stroll, maybe wait for a bus, stuff like that?
I've been eyeing the Carrie Hoody also. I'm concerned about the sleeve length. In the pictures on the Ibex web site the sleeves look really long. I have shorter arms to begin with. Any observations from those of you have tried a Carrie Hoody on?
Thanks.
Thanks Knott!Quote:
Originally Posted by KnottedYet
I order a lot from LL Bean as I have their credit card so get free shipping and fairly many Bean bucks since I use the credit card for buying all our boat gear recently, which really adds up. I hadn't seen these tops, but after reading your post just ordered one of the long-sleeved merinos in the teal color, which will go nicely under two wool cardigans I own for the coldest January days, and by itself for warmer days.
I can't afford Ibex at the moment (too much stuff on our "to buy for the boat" list), but LL Bean always has good deals. I had $20 in Bean bucks (plus free shipping), so the merino top is only costing me $9.95. That's a deal I can't resist! :D
Emily
I have a short sleeved and long sleeved version of the merino that just arrived. They're really soft (softer than the smartwool next to skin layer I have on), and could be worn for anything from biking to under a suit:)
(I got some really nice cashmere too)
CA
Lisa,
I did see that they host snow shoe and ski things. I was interested in the breast cancer snow shoe, but it was in Vermont. I have never been to that park, but I know I have driven by it. When I get back from my vacation, maybe we can plan a day to meet. I'll be checking the weather and if it looks like there's no storms coming, I'm happy to drive out. It might be a lot of driving for one day for me, but I would do it just to see that store (and meet you, of course). It's right on Rt. 7, I think. Would you be able to meet during the week? It would have to be before Feb. 25th; I'm going to be working after that date.
Robyn
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Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.
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Originally Posted by Robyn Maislin
I drive by that shop all the time and have never stopped there. I'll be out that way on Feb 2 and 3. Can anyone else make it then? I have a meeting on the 2nd at Mt. Greylock from 9:30 am - 2 pm. I might do some hiking and camp over night and drive back on the 3rd. How about lunch on Sunday Feb 3?
I tried on both the L and the XL and I did not notice the sleeves being overly long. I have average arms I guess. I ordered the Large one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Natasha
Robyn, Deb- I have a generally flexible schedule since I am self employed. I can do either weekday or weekend, but would have to check first with DH concerning any particular date to make sure there is nothing on our calendar that I don't know about.
I tried one on in the store and the sleeve length seemed the same as on my Shak. They didn't seem unusually long to me at all. In fact, they are shorter than on some of the other brands of cycling stuff that is desinged to fit in the cycling position (compare to say PI or shebeest in the same size). But, I also found the 'boucle' weave a tad scrathier than the weave of the shak. Its a more textured weave which looks very nice, and when I tried it on with a Kate base it didn't bother my skin. Its a very well made piece too. I didn't buy it only cuz it was too sporty for my needs. With the hood it felt more like a sweatshirt, and I wanted something to go from professional meeting to bike.Quote:
Originally Posted by Natasha
You know I found the folks that answer the phone at Ibex very helpful, reminded me of the TE gals. Why don't you just ring them up and ask them to measure the sleeve length on the size you are considering.
I'm up for the third, Deb, if Lisa can make it. I will talk to you next Sunday when we hike.
Robyn
I own the Carrie hoody and I also have short arms. It's not abnormally long at all. I actually do have some difficulty with my shak arms being a bit too long (extra fabric on my wrists), but on the Carrie hoody, I never even noticed it. It's a very well designed piece and it's quite flattering on. I'm tempted to order another color now that they are on sale! :oQuote:
Originally Posted by Natasha
I do agree with Trisk in that it does have a casual 'sporty' look to it.
I ordered the Carrie hoodie precisely because I did want something that was like a casual comfy zipper sweatshirt. I don't work in an office so I don't have to consider that aspect like Triskellion does. I also liked the sort of bumpily texture of the boucle.
Robyn, DebW- YES, I could do lunch with you both on Sunday Feb 3 at the Arcadian Shop! But....are they ready for us? Might be too much for them! :eek: :D
Lisa, I will PM you with more information about 2/3.
Robyn
OK girls, I need wool. :eek: We had snow yesterday. We have snow once every 6 - 10 years. I have a good base layer and one jacket, the Cirque Jacket (which was great today), but I'd like to get one more jacket and a pair of bottoms of some sort.
I've not paid close enough attention because I never thought I'd be saying this, but YES, I need more wool. Of course, by the time I order and it gets here, it will probably have warmed up to much to wear it. I still want a couple more pieces for next year while things are on sale.
Soooooooooo. If you were going to get one jacket and one pair of bottoms, what would it be? The Shak? the Carrie Hoodie? or would something else be better suited for weather in the 30's. Favorite bottoms?
Lisa, your thoughts for me please? Sorry for the repetition.
Sandra, of all the pieces I've seen recently, I just love my full zip shak. I like it cuz it works for cycling, other sports, casual use, or professional use, in other words its a really versatile piece, and very slim fitting so it layers nicely under all my shells. But, its not a jacket, its a sweater. Its also on sale at Uncle Dans right now. As I mentioned, I have on order the Icebreaker 260 midweight bottom that is at a good price at sierra now (see links in one of my recent posts). I have a 20% off code, I don't know if it is tied to my account but if you PM me I would be happy to send it to you and you can see if it works (min. purchase $75). You could also order an Icebreaker 260 zip T mid-weight base to layer under it. A cheaper option for your top are the nice bases Knott posted about recently at LLBean. Also, if you run searches for merino wool at both LLBean and sierra, a lot of nice things come up. I went with the icebreakers cuz I wanted the zips for ventilation, but the bean tops look nice too.
I hear you, we too are having that cold front, and the rest of my stuff will also arrive wnen its gone!
Sandra- for you and your situation, i would say yes get a black full zip Ibex shak. It's about $94 right now at Udans.com....I don't see it anywhere any cheaper. It will have a dozen uses and will excel at all of them. It's sleek, elegant, warm, but not bulky or too heavy. You can wear it over base layers and turtlenecks or under jackets and vests...really whatever you want!
Bottoms? I stick with my heavy wool tights and my usual black leggings of various kinds, but most women are not so comfortable walking around in black leggings alone. You might want to try the Ibex Loose Tights. They look so fabulous on my friend but just don't hang right on my figure. They are a great slim relaxed wool pant that is soft and stretches when you move.
A lot depends on whether you want something in wool to wear alone as a pant, or to wear under some pants as a wool long john?
Sandra, another idea for your bottom. I picked up some really nice wool pants at amazing prices on sale at Ann Taylor Loft. They just reduced their clearance merchandise by another 40% which amounts to a total discount of ~80%. So, if you have one near you check it out. I am so glad I did.