Trisk, I just looked at your pics! Wow, you look great! Congratulations, and yes, you get all new woolie clothes for a job well done! :D
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Trisk, I just looked at your pics! Wow, you look great! Congratulations, and yes, you get all new woolie clothes for a job well done! :D
Thanks guys..........:o I thought everyone knew already from the other thread, but I guess everyone doesn't read everything. Yeh, its been *very expensive* to replace my wardrobe. But what feels good is that I know I am not going to gain the weight back cuz this time I really did finally fix the underlying problem. When I talk about my weight normalizing I really mean it quite literally. Did I diet and exercise? Sure, but I have always dieted and exercised, and still gained weight cuz my hormones were out of balance. As long as I restrict carbs, my apetite and bodies needs mesh, so as long as I listen to my body, and exercise just moderate restraint, the weight came off and is staying off pretty easily.
And, what would I do without wool?? All I can say is that it looks a heck of a lot better than my old insulating material!!!
The hard part now will be deciding which of the pieces that are still to come get to stay and which have to go back. But at least I am getting a handle on what I like with the pieces I've got already. Its so amazing to me how soft the Kate is, the 17.5 micron wool really does feel amazing on my skin, so I am really glad I snagged those pieces. The ribbie is definitely not as smooth, but oh so pretty and oh so warm.... It will be interesting to see how the Icebreaker and LLbean compare.
Was there a free shipping code on the Ibex postcard? I got a card, but I must have missed the free shipping code.
Trisk, GREAT JOB! Way to go girl.
ALERT: half zip shak jersey on sale for $85. Is it worth it? or would it be better to spring for the full zip. Anyone seen the warm green? I'm a sucker for a pretty shade of green.
There isn't really a code on this card, you go to a "personalized website"
mine is mimitboothby.ibexwool.com and all it is is a gateway to a short survey.
i did it and it did not give me the discount. I called and the lady said she'd "check" to see if they received my survey.. what the heck did they leave the "website" up if they were done with the promotion? and how come it didn't tell me when it expired????
so i'm still waiting for her to check..
Mimi wrote:
Major cute! :pQuote:
and Trisk, you look wonderful, cute even!! congrats on losing all that weight!
what?Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.
I think she means the green shak. I have not seen one except in pictures, but I agree its a *very pretty* color. So pretty that today I was having doubts as to whether I should have ordered the green rather than black. But, since I want to use it for professional use, I think black is more of a 'power color' than the light green, but I think both the light green and light blue are very nice. I guess color choice also depends on the other clothes you plan to wear it with.
Green and purple and gray really layer nicely together. I was trying on stuff for my trip last night, and couldn't believe how pretty my green Kate looked under my thistle heather shak with my charcoal gray pants. I would advise you to just think about what other clothes you have, and how many different outfits you can make.
What I like about the full zip shak is how much it can be ventilated indoors since I live in a warmer climate, but when its cold outside its great in full zip mode. I also think it looks more chic for professional use. I think when I pair the black full zip shak with black wool pants, it will look like a casual suit.
Triskeliongirl, I agree with you about the shaks. I prefer the full zip because of the ventilation factor that you mentioned.
I have a black full zip and wear it with pretty much everything. It looks professional enough to wear to work. The green is beautiful, but would not go as well with other colors. I am considering the green Carrie hoody as everybody's description of it sounds beautiful.
Natasha, I know the Carrie Hoodie is a very popular piece. I tried it on in the store, and while its a very nice piece, be advised that it is a lot more casual looking than the shak, and made from a rougher scratchier feeling weave. In terms of sizing, all they had was a medium in charcoal with a thistle stripe, and it did layer very nicely over my small thistle shak without feeling like it looked too big. I didn't buy it cuz I wanted pieces that would go from work to cycling. While a nice piece, I didn't think I could do either with the carrie hoodie.
My husband wears his full-zip black Shak to the hospital (he's a medical student) over his shirt and tie! It's formal enough.
Mine is the hoodie version, not-so-formal...
Random notes:
The Carrie hoody seems a bit too casual to wear to an office. It also doesn't strike me as a particularly perfect biking jacket. But it's comfy and easy fitting and moves and breathes nicely. Though it has a fine nubbly/terrycloth like texture on the outside, I wouldn't call it scratchy though- it's not like burlap or anything, more like a fine towel texture. Hard to describe.
The "warm green" of the shaks is kind of a soft pea green, not a bright lime green. It looks pale on my computer, but is less pale in real life. Some people would just love the green, others not....everyone has different taste in color.
The full zip shak has a slightly more elegant/sleek look than the 1/2 zip jersey does. It's also more versatile I think, as you can wear it alone or over stuff like a cartigan sweater jacket, and take it off and on quickly. I like wearing the 1/2 zip under stuff, and also under the full zip.
Mimi- Ibex has gotten themselves into a bit of a mixup with all the sales and coupons and codes lately- apparently one can only use one code per order, plus some codes do not apply to sale items but that wasn't made clear. I think they are trying to straighten things out at the moment. You have to call if your code doesn't work.
Ribbies: they run somewhat small, so the medium ones I have fit me like they were small/medium, and the large ones fit me as though they were medium-ish. The ones on sale are now running low.
So my icebreaker order from sierra came. I gave links in a previous post, they were all described as icebreaker 260zip T and long john. I have mixed feelings about these items.
1. What I like is that the wool is very soft, softer in fact than my ibex 18.5 wool, as soft on my skin as the 17.5 although not textured quite as finely.
2. I was worried that they would be too heavy, but I would describe them as between ibex light and heavy weight. They are not see through even in light colors like my green kate, but not as dense as my ribbie. They layer nice under my shak, and I don't think I would overheat in them in a normally heated room (tops that is) like I am worried I might in the ribbie.
3. Sizing. I found the small top fit like my small kate, and a somewhat looser than my small ribbie (although the sleeve length was shorter/better for me), although I can make both work. Medium top is definitely cut larger than medium kate, way too big on me.
I found the small bottom too big on me. According to the Ibex size chart I should be an XS on the bottom, but I didn't believe them since I have never been and XS in anything ever. I also decided these are overkill for me, and that I will just go with heavy lycra tights as my inner layer on the bottom. I also didn't like that they weren't gusseted. they just looked and felt kind of sloppy to me, but that may have been a size thing. Again though, it may depend on intended usage. To wear under a goretex shell for cross country skiing they are fine, but to layer under dress pants too baggy and heavy.
4. I was disappointed that the tops were not as pictured. From the attached picture would you guess this shirt has grey racing stripes along the sides of the bodice and arms, and thumbholes in the sleeves? The result is that it is too casual for professional use, unless I were to keep my suit jacket on. With that being said though, both the blue and red look terrific under my suit with the jacket on, especially unzipped with the lapels overlapping.......
I think the tops would be great as cycling shirts, and if I didn't already have enough shebeest drifit cycling tops they'd be keepers since they are nice garments, nice weight, well made. I am still thinking to keep just one top, perhaps the light blue since it does match well my bike as well as a lot of other things, and does look great with my suit in jacket on mode. And since I am a scientist and not a beurocrat, I could get away with it in jacket off mode too......in fact the rebel in my likes it, it dresses down my suit making me feel more comfortable wearing it. So, I will possible keep the blue and/or red tops, but decided to wait until the LLbean order comes on monday before deciding. Those tops were cheaper, and if they look more professional it may be hard to justify keeping the icebreaker.
FYI, the labels indicate the tops were made in 2005 and the bottoms in 2004. That's OK, that is typical of sierra, but just thought I'd let people know.
Lisa, sorry I didn't wear the mulberry ribbie today. While it looks sooooo niiiice, I am a tad concerned about how it feels on my skin. Remember, I could never wear wool on my skin until I tried the kate. While I loooove the way the mulberry ribbie looks and fits, I worry about my allergies since the icebreaker stuff and kates feel so much better on me. And, I do need to make a return package to ibex anyway with the organic sweater. This is the one item that I wish I did double order in medium (and only one that I didn't) just to see if it were cut looser if it would feel better on my skin. While it doesn't pull or anything, it is a very body hugging fit.
So, my LLbean order arrives on monday, and then I'll decide what stays and what goes.
I also need to ask you guys about wool care. I just noticed today that while my shak isn't really 'pilling' there are fuzzy things on it (not from washing, just wear I think, I washed it once by hand in woolite, but it looked fine after washing, but I've worn it nearly everyday for like 2 weeks straight). Should I use a lint brush to remove them? Is this normal? Do I brush in the direction the fuzzies go or away from them? I bought one of those new lint brushes with the disposable sheets. It worked great for getting dog hair off my new wool pants. Is this what I should use on the shak?
Another Carrie hoody picture:
http://www.tranquilitysystems.com/ga...4-IMG_0085.jpg
This my group at work when we took our coworker from Beijing to lunch at Hooters. (It was a Friday, so we were casual).
I LOVE this top!!
GLC, that looks great on you. I love that color on you.
Wow, it looks a LOT better on you than me Catherine!! I think the medium I tried on must have just been too big, cuz it kinda looked like a dumpy sack on me. Its really weird. Even though I have stopped losing weight, I think by how my clothes are fitting that I am continuing to get more compact. Really weird, but then it makes me scared to buy clothes (cuz this isn't the first time I've had to replace my wardrobe since I lost my weight, but I thought I was stable enough now to go ahead and do it completely). I just noticed trying on my size 4 pants today that they are looser than when I bought them, but at least they give me room to tuck shirts in now that I hadn't really thought about when I bought them. I didn't think I would ever be smaller than a small, so felt pretty OK buying stuff in smalls. Maybe I just need to send everything back, and stick with my small kates and shaks for now.
no, Silly Trisk, we're talking about YOU!!!
Duh............Ok, thanks!
But I am so shopping impaired you guys must be so sick of listening to me. I so wish I had a local store that I could visit, try on everything, and then shop around for sales on the web. Having to do so much by mail order is sooooo frustrating for me. I never know what size I am. I was pretty surprised to find that store that carries Ibex, and they told me they are not doing it again, didn't do well at all here (hence the 50% off sale....). You can't imagine what its like to buy wool in san antonio. I was amazed to even find wool pants here this year. You also can't imagine the shock your body feels when you live in a warm climate and have to travel to a cold one. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised by the LLbean t-necks. They desribe them as longish, but I hope they aren't too long to tuck in. Has anyone gotten theirs yet?
Thanks, Trisk and Sandra!
OK, one last Ibex question and then I need to lay off the wool purchases for awhile!
Does anyone have the Ibex Outback shirt? I have one that I got from SAC about a year ago and I totally love, love, love it. It was my first Ibex piece and even though it was thinner than I expected from the description, it's a wonderful top. The fit is beautiful, the color is gorgeous (plum) and the weight of the top works in so many situations for me. My question is, if anyone has this top...what top would it compare to for current Ibex styles? The Ribbies crew, maybe? Or the LW Ribbed Crew? (though the Outback is not ribbed at all...)
This is the outback:
http://www.backcountryoutlet.com/out...ve-Womens.html
Any help is greatly appreciated! :)
I asked this earlier but it got buried in all my verbiage.
Can SOMEONE please tell me if its normal to see fuzzy things on my shak? It doesn't smell but does that mean its time to wash it, or does it need a lint brushing, or is something really wrong? I wouldn't really call it pilling, its just starting to get covered in small fuzzy stuff. If I lint brush it off, which direction do I go. Someone had posted that it is normal to see this stuff, and to wash it with jeans to get it off, but I have been hand washing alone with woolite, isn't that safer, or is that what I have to do????
Trisk, i'll let the experts answer you. I don't have a shak.
Announcement
It looks like i'm going to be the first to try one of those ahem sports tops undergarments... Cost a fortune, but with free shipping and the mulberry ribby...
I will write a review on my first woolen brassiere when it arrives. (such an odious word)
Trisk,
I haven't had that happen to any of my shaks yet. I have heard though that woolite is kind of harsh. Try using something like a mild dish detergent such as dawn. I tend not to wash my shaks very often, as they don't get smelly.
I only washed it once, and it didn't happen immediately after washing just after use. I am confused. I used woolite precisely cuz I thought its NOT harsh, designed for hand washing woolens. I don't mean big pills, I just mean tiny pieces of fuzz are starting to accumulate on the surface as I wear it day in and day out, waiting for my second one to arrive.
I guess it can't hurt to try the lint brush while I wait for the experts to answer me...... I am starting to worry that this is something bad though......
Quote:
Originally Posted by Natasha
Trisk,
don't forget to call Ibex's 1-800 number.
I throw my Ibex stuff right in the washing machine with everything else. It does not need to be pampered. i think woolite is fine!
Trisk- I launder my shaks in the machine as well, on cold, gentle cycle, with some Woolite. Then I tumble dry on LOW for the smallest time possible, with a dryer sheet because that's the only way the cat hair comes off my clothes.
If you wash by hand, be sure to NEVER make scrubbing motions to wash it. Just swish it in the water like a tea bag and press gently to remopve water- no wringing. Put fresh water several times to rinse, and never scrub or wring the wool. Then press the excess water out gently (or put in the machine gentle spin cycle for a minute), and lay out to dry.
My advice?- use a lint brush in whatever direction works. I think you should expect all wool to develop some sort of minute fuzzy "patina" surface. It's wool, remember- woven from natural fur fibers. I wouldn't call it pilling though, it's just a softening/fuzzing of the surface. That's as much as I can guess.
I do notice little teeny fuzz balls occasionally accumulate along the flatlock seams of my shaks, but they just pull off easily and there are not that many of them at one time to be a problem.
Thanks Lisa.... I think that's all it is, I just wanted someone to tell me its normal and not gonna get worse or turn into real pilling! Most of it did come off with the lint brush. It did need laundering, so I have it soaking in woolite now. I still feel better doing it by hand, but I do handle just like you described.
Also Lisa, do you think if the ribbie feels rough on my skin, its cuz its too small (but it looks nice, snug and close to my skin but its described as form fit which I think that means, its not pulling or anything), or its cuz that paricular weave doesn't agree with my sensitive skin? Maybe I've been spoiled by my Kates, but the Icebreaker stuff also feels very soft to me. I like the ribbie so much, but I am not going to spend another $11 on shipping just to see how the medium fits. I think their shipping rates are outrageous.
My large ribbie is a bit roomier on me than my medium ribbie (which is pleasantly snug, like yours), but they both feel exactly the same on my skin. The ribbies definitely have more of a texture, because of the tiny ribs. I happen to love the way that feels on my skin- it feels like a nice massage all day, like a baby washcloth. But some people might find it irritating, I can understand that. Ever wear those shoes that have dozens of teeny rubber knobbies on the insole, to massage the bottom of your feet?- that how I feel about some of these wool items. Of course there are limits- a coarse spun Bolivian raw wool sweater would be too much against the skin even for me! :cool: I have a feeling that after wearing your current merino items for a month or two, you will begin to enjoy the sensation of wool on your skin more than before. That's what happened to me- I suspect it's kind of addictive, like a new exotic food one is not used to at first. I could be wrong though- you might always hate it! :oQuote:
Originally Posted by Triskeliongirl
GLC- nice to see those photos!! :p
Thanks Lisa! I decided to try it on again after taking a shower, and just see how long I could stay comfy in it. At this point I am still wearing it so I decided its a keeper. So, now the tags are cut and we are mulberry ribbie sisters for the evening if you still have yours own. I will think of you now whenever I wear it. I love the color, it goes with both my shaks and my two colors of wool pant. Yeh, it doesn't feel as soft as the other pieces, but its not giving me an allergic reaction either (wool that I am allergic to gives me raised red welts!). I do like it more than the icebreaker, but the pieces are different.
I will probably keep the blue icebreaker zip-T too, but I am waiting for the bean order to make my final decision. While I wish it didn't have the gray stripes, it does look nice under my suit, layers great under my shaks, it would work for cycling or skiing, its really soft and comfy, and it even matches my bike. But I did also order it in other colors that I'll probably send back along with the bottoms. If I end up hating the bean stuff or got the sizes wrong, then maybe, just maybe, I'll keep the red icebreaker zip-T too.
Well Mimi, I would love to join you, but alas they don't appear to make them in my size (34D). Looking forward to the review, and an expansion of the size range!Quote:
Originally Posted by mimitabby
Hi Triskelion,
Yeah, a lot of Icebreaker things have some little touch on them that dresses them down -- the racing stripes on the sleeves of a bunch of items, a contrasting collar or trim, or flatlock stitching on raglan sleeves. Sierra Trading Post doesn't do a good job of describing their Icebreaker items, unfortunately; you have to know which item is being sold, and then go look it up on the website or online. You should try to see if you can find the Upstate (zip-neck or "polo," which really is a turtleneck); although it does have thumbholes and flatlock stitching and raglan sleeves, it does feel a little more dressed up because it's one color and has ribbed panels. I've been told the Glider is also good because it has set-in sleeves, but the contrasting collar has stopped me from getting it. The Stella V-neck would be dressy enough for work, but get it a size down because it's "relaxed." The Tech Lite Tees (140 g/m2) are another item that could be worn in more situations than a typical sports T.
Um, yeah, I'm totally a wool addict (and I know the Icebreaker line FAR too well -- I could probably answer questions on a third to a half of their current items). I got started on Icebreaker because over on a backpacking/hiking forum, people thought that it was softer and cut closer to the body and more consistently than Ibex. But lurking on this forum is making me really tempted by the Shak and the polos as well. Thank goodness I have no more money left to buy more wool with!
Hi RTW, and welcome to our forum and thanks for all the great info on the Icebreaker line. I don't even mind the raglan sleees or flatlock stictching, I just wish they didn't put the racing stripes on. I like stuff thats multi-functional, and the racing stripes just put it over too much into the sporty category for me.
Why don't you introduce yourself in the getting to know you thread?
Wow, you gals are amazing -- this is the most active thread I've seen for awhile! :D
Anyway, my LL Bean merino top came today -- it's the base layer, long-sleeve, round neck in teal. It is gorgeous! It's very soft, very professionally cut, almost dressy looking, so it would be great with a suit (but I don't wear suits -- my job is very casual). It is rather thin, so I will have to check the see-thru angle when I try it on (I haven't actually made it to that point yet, but it is an XS, so I can't imagine that it won't fit). I often wear the suntan color VS bras, so don't usually have to worry too much about them showing through. The color is even prettier than shown on the Bean website, and it coordinates so nicely with two wool cardigans I have (one is a Patagonia chunky cardigan I bought at the infamous Terry 50% off everything sale!) I plan to wear it tomorrow.
Emily
Try the "Norgie" crew? Similar pattern. http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Product...ct=Norgie-CrewQuote:
Originally Posted by GLC1968
Where is this half-zip Shak for $85?
Edit: never mind, I found it. I had it (in thistle) and a pink-n-gray twizel (I have a green one already and love it) in my cart and ready to go... then found I'd be charged tax.
Suddenly financial reality reared its ugly head, and I cancelled.
Damm.
Knot - just go to Ibex's main page and there is a little 'sale' box at the bottom in the middle. Just click there an it should take you to it (it worked for me earlier today). Or, just go to mid layer tops and I think the sale price is now posted there, too. Or...just click here:
http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Product...ct=Shak-Jersey
Edited to add: I just see that you found it! And I have to say, I have the twizel in the blue/green combo and it is one flattering top. I LOVE it and wish I could justify another one!
I was wondering about the Norgie crew. I might have to give that a try even though it looks a bit more 'sporty' with the two colors than my Outback. Cool, thanks!
Emily - thanks for the LL Bean info. It sounds like it will be exactly what I was hoping for!
Anybody got an Ibex discount number they don't need?
(I still want that Shak and 2nd Twizel... )
Hi Emily!Quote:
Originally Posted by emily_in_nc
I'm just curious about where the LLBean merino items come from- does the label say where it's made?
Knot- Too bad about the tax! I thought Ibex was in Vermont?- I live in NY and I don't get charged tax on my orders from them. What is up with that? :confused:
Oh, and it was explained to me on the phone that you can't use a discount coupon code on items that are already on sale- it's a bit confusing.
RTW- welcome to TE! :)
I want that Shak, AND a full zip shak
and a carrie hoodie. :p
I'm doing an order from TE, an order from LL Bean, and I really can't justify an order from Ibex.
Well, unless the Roaster Boxers were on sale, then COWABUNGA! I want a couple more pair, then I'd just have to get a Shak, and would hardly notice the cost of that gorgeous gray and pink Twizel.
Oooh, just remembered I get PAID tomorrow!!!!!!! Hmmmmm:rolleyes:
oooh, look! Spiffy wool biking jersey, on sale, right here on TE!
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=29043
Oh you guys, I'm such an idiot!! I've been following the Shak discussion for the last few pages thinking "Gee, that sounds really cool maybe I should check that out". I just now got around to looking it up online, and...
I'm currently wearing a Shak. Right now. 1/2 zip, in Space Blue. I have so many woolly items that I can keep track of all of their names! :eek:
I absolutely love the durable feel of the tight weave. My only complaint is that it is rather heavy, so I don't ever take it backpacking. I haven't had any pilling or fuzzing, and I wear and wash it (in the washer) fairly often.
I think, after the Pico Zip T, the Shak is my favorite item. And now I know that that's what it's called. :rolleyes: