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Oh well - show her the arc'teryx tomorrow, and then the prana on Friday.
Then it won't all be in one day.
Occasionally, in the SAC forum someone comments that they just bought an X-small arc'teryx jacket for a 12 year old... And I think... if you get arc'teryx at 12, what's left???
Trisk,
I can't imagine you would ever have the need to wear the WindPro tight under the Alpstar pants. That would be just too damned hot I'd think, especially if you were doing something active outside.
WindPro has a pretty nice fleece lining, though I like wearing UnderArmor tights under them OR Ibex wool tights over them if it's really cold.
I just got the Descente Coldout tights from TE, and they are very sleek and stretchy but have that fleece lining too. VERY warm. They are thin enough and form fitting enough to wear under just about anything, and they are satin-y so you can pull stuff on over them and it slides right on. No ankle zippers either - just very stretchy. I'll think of them like my Underarmor tights but warmer. If I wear those under my WindPro tights I will be virtually bullet proof.
I'll tell you what's left....if they start at the top they will work their way in the other direction in order to assert their independence from their roots, and will discover the joys of finding cheap Navy wool p-coats at the Army Navy stores, and cheap wool sweaters at the Salvation army and thrift shops. :) This is all good. People tend to want to explore the direction they have not been in yet. I grew up in Salvation army wardrobe as a kid and thus have been exploring higher end stuff in my 'old age'. :cool:Quote:
Occasionally, in the SAC forum someone comments that they just bought an X-small arc'teryx jacket for a 12 year old... And I think... if you get arc'teryx at 12, what's left???
My sister has spoiled my little niece rotten with girly barbie princess, disney princess, painting her nails, etc.
I can't wait my niece to become a tomboy when she rebels during her teenage years.
Thanks Lisa for answering although I even deleted my post when I realized how silly it would be after trying them on this morning!
So, DD woke up, after spending the night in her woolie bottoms and loppet jersey, and is now the proud owner of a pair of arc'tyrex tau pants (thank goodness I got them for 50% off at backcountry outlet), and my old columbia 3 in 1 parka. When I showed her the pant, again her eyes lit up, and she said I would soooooooooo wear those hiking......... So, thanks again Catriona for another great suggestion!
The columbia parka has a very nice omnitech shell that she can wear with or without the zip in fleece. I loved this jacket, but its an M and just hangs on me after losing weight. We decided to stop there since she too is still slimming down. But she arrived here in baggy old clothes, and will leave with 2 woolie bottoms, a loppet jersey, a hooded shak, a patagonia down vest, and a columbia parka. Not a bad haul for thanksgiving weekend!
I just came home from a 3.5 mile walk in 30 degree sleet. I tested out my new Ibex boxers under my Ibex tights. Perfect! I never could keep my azz warm when it was still too warm for long underwear. I might get another pair. I think I could take a medium, though. They fit, but my cyclist thighs are just popping out all over. Not attractive, but hey, who will see? The rear fits well, though.
When I came back, I realized that I was entirely dressed in wool, except my bra: Besides the 2 Ibex bottoms, smart wool ski socks and micro weight base layer, Icebreaker half zip, and wool hat from EMS. Well, I did have a Craft rain jacket on. I never wear it cycling because it just gets too hot. It was perfect for today.
You enabler you! I'm actually tempted to have another piece of Pi and get some more wool. Yesterday, I got my TE order and the wool piece I purchased is gorgeous.Quote:
Originally Posted by Susan Otcenas
My new joke ...and what a joke it is....is that I don't care about the stock market....I invested all my money in Ibex...:p
I snagged some merino blend tights for $12. Not bike tights; just regular tights. Not sure how they will work for cycling, but at that price I had to find out.
Pam
I snagged a beautiful WOOl dress coat absolutely free!
Actually, I spent thanksgiving weekend helping my daughter visiting back from college clean out her closet. For me, I found the wool dress coat, a silk suit, and a wonderful evening dress that I can wear on New Years Eve. I really lucked out. She paid me back for all the new Ibex she got to take back to school!!!
While the coat is old, it is a very classical tailored double breasted style that fits me beautifully and it is still in very good condition.
My lightweight smartwools have also been prone to holes, which I have lovingly mended, rendering them slightly off-kilter.
Haven't had the holey problem with them since I started sticking them in lingerie bags for the wash. Even my mends have not torn out. I think they just like the extra attention, or else they are tired of my needle sticks.
Well, the ibex alpstar pants arrived today and they are keepers...........
They fit beautifully, a tad loose in the waist, but since I always have the waist covered with my shak its not a big deal. Overall the fit is slim and trim just like I like, layered over my woolies, and still very comfy to stretch and move in (i.e. ski). I also like how versatile they are, while I can ski in them, I can also wear them as a sporty casual walking around winter pant. That is what clinched the deal, since the only other cold weather pants I have are wool dress pants, and I just wanted one pair of sportier vacation pants. They are clima-wool, so warm and water repellent, but they are relatively thin so I won't overheat indoors in them, and can even wear them in San Antonio, especially in my underheated cold house! I am tempted to wear them tomorrow (lows in the mid 30's) but I already put them in my suitcase so they don't get dirty before my trip.
Thanks Catriona, for suggesting I exchange them! Having the right size made a huge difference. So, I just got my return order boxed up, with free return shipping thanks to their mistake (and Catriona's suggestion to ask for it)!
I also ordered the pretty smartwool hat, scarf, glove, set in the attached pic from REI, on sale at the outlet plus a 20% off coupon (OUTLET25), as well as some smartwool ski socks, also at a great price. So, I am finally set for my trip, at least for clothes. Now, I just have to finish preparing my talks!
But right now, its time for coach troy. I won't commute when its below 40, which its supposed to be tomorrow am.....
p.s. now its tomorrow, and it is so cold here (actual temp 37, with wind chill 30!) that I had to test the alpstars. so far so good. i layered them with woolies, and was comfy in my cold house this morning, in the windy outdoors on the way to work, and in my heated office. just what i was looking for!
After seeing your post, I ordered that Smartwool hat/gloves/scarf set as well (I got the black though) since none of the hats and scarves I have really go with my winter jackets anyway. You enabler, you! :D
I've so far avoided that 20% off coupon. I got a bunch of smartwool fairisle hats in an REI sale in February.
Triskeliongirl, I'm glad the alpstars worked for you.
I ordered this Icebreaker wool skirt in black from SAC earlier this week and I just tried it on this morning. I LOVE it! I really wanted to wear it today, but I'd already showered and I didn't shave...so it'll have to wait for next week. Super cute and yet cozy, too. Mine is a little longer on me because my legs are short. ;)
http://images.nittanyweb.com/scs/ima...225_p43520.jpg
The one in this pic is a Pinot color that I might have to also get!
I got a similar Ibex skirt for half price last summer. I wear it all of the time.
Thankfully, I realized that I need a small in Ibex bottoms and x smalls in the tops, so no returns necessary.
Trisk, those Alpstar pants sound very nice.... but I would have to spend a fortune to get them hemmed.
Actually, you wouldn't. I ended up keeping the 6 over the 4, in part cuz the 4s are so damned short (they fit like petites)! I tried on a 4,6 and 8. In fact, I preferred the length on the 8 but they were way too big, the 6s are a little big in the waist, but the overall fit is the best and they do have room to layer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
But we seem inverted size wise, at least on the woolies bottom I needed an XS but I am a S in their tops. But you are tinier than me so I suspect the 4 alpstar pant would work for you, its the smallest size they make.
Its not always expensive to alter. When I lost my weight I brought my better clothes to a seamstress and she did wonders with them at very reasonable cost. I had a silk halter top dress I loved, and it had 4 darts, so she just took it in there and it looks great now. In fact, I have to stop by there after work to pick up an evening dress I found in my daughter's closet I want to wear on new years eve but had a broken zipper.
I have that one too...but I've gained too much weight to wear it right now. :( This Icebreaker one is to hold me over until I can wear the Ibex one again (so I got a different color in the hopes of one day being able to fit into both of them - with alterations)!Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
I tried the icebreaker dress - it was just a little bit too clingy or I'm just a little bit too fat. I haven't tried the skirts because I thought they'd be similar.
I do have a couple of really nice long merino wool skirts that I bought off sierra trading post at some point, but they're more like sweater material and I should remember where I have those stashed.
I have the short Ibex skirt and I wear it over my Ibex capris...I'm a wool layer cake I am...and I have to force myself to wear something else some days!
I just bought the blackberry circle of trees scarf on Ibex and a skimmer hat...I try to buy everything on sale...and you can read that either way..:D
Yep, I have that short black Ibex merino "Lena" skirt too- and I wear it layered over any kind of capris or tights. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by elk
Well, I wear an xsmall in most things, but when i tried on an xsmall pair of Ibex pants last summer at the Arcadian shop, wow; I couldn't get them over my hips! Of course this was on the day that I had to get off my bike and walk up part of an 18% grade hill, for the first time in my life! Then, I realized the Ibex ski-pants/tights Steve bought me are smalls. They are too long, but since they are tights, I just pull them up.
Going to take a peek at the Alpstars.
Backcountry.com is still honoring their 20% off coupon, so with it they have the best price and the 4 is still in stock 3PU-1-R38LT.
Altrec.com has a 26% off coupon (HoHoHo), but the starting price is higher and they are out of the 4s.
These guys also have some good sales on ibex in general: http://www.westhillshop.com/index.as...S&Category=159
I looked at the reviews on Backcountry.com. A few of them said the pants run big and the waist, especially is big. I already have a smaller waist and usually wear size 2 petite pants.
I don't want to order them just to return. What do you think?
I ordered them... but the code didn't appear to work. Still, they were on sale and I couldn't find it cheaper anywhere else. Let's hope they fit.
Sorry I didn't see this. The waist is big. It has these velcro thingies that you can use to adjust it with, but then it doesn't lie as smoothly. I hesitated because of that at first, but then realized that it allows me to tuck my shak in if I want, or if its layered over (full zip) it brings the waist in (its the back that gaps) and it looks fine. I decided if I get anymore compact I'll just bring them to my seamstress to tuck in the back seam, but for now I like them so much otherwise I can put up with it (and remember I got the 6 yet I am an XS woolie bottom, so if you can wear a S woolie bottom I would guess you'll be OK in the 4). Ibex says their small is a 4-6 and you said you are an ibex S on the bottom consistent wth their 4 fitting you. Also, if I am a 6 in this pant, and a 4 at Ann Taylor Loft, then maybe if you are a 2P at Ann Taylor Loft the 4 in this pant will fit you. And as I said before, the 4 is definitely cut short like a petite would be. I notice is some athletic wear, if the smallest size it comes in is a 4, I am usually a 6, but if its one of those stores like Ann Taylor Loft that goes down to 00, then I am a 4. But doesn't this inconsistency in sizing in women's clothes drive you BATTY? DH just made an order. He either ordered a M (top), or 32W/34L (pant) and everything that came fit perfectly.
I know you guys think I am crazy, but I can layer either my woolies under, or even my woolies plus shebeest windpro tight. While I know that is probably too warm for nordic skiing, I am going to consider that combo on my trip since I will be alpine skiing in the french alps where it is very cold.
I wore them all day yesterday, and it reminded me of first getting my shak, not wanting to take it off. Its a garment that is so comfy, warm, looks good, and breathes and adjusts as you move through different temperature zones. That is so important where I live. It was 30 when I woke up today, but highs are predicted of 71. Then unlike the northeast where interiors tend to be overheated, ours are underheated so there is less diff between inside and outside temp (in fact sometimes interiors are even air conditioned in winter so its colder inside than out). The building I work in didn't switch from AC to heat until last week!
I am sorry the code didn't work either. Next time email me, maybe you need to click on the link from my email (I could have forwarded it to you, as I tested it and at least it brought me to their website with an ad for the code displayed, although I didn't try to actually place an order).
Don't worry about the code. I also have some x country fleece pants that have those tabs. I forget what brand, but you are right, they don't lay flat if the tabs are cinched in all of the way. And yes, what you said about the sizes make sense. I am a 0 at the Loft, which is crazy... but yesterday I had to go to the mall for the first time in almost a year to buy some Clinique moisturizers that I can't get locally. While I was there, I went into a regular Ann Taylor store to buy a sweater and a pair of velvet pants for dress up. I fit perfectly into the size 2 and the modern fit jeans, which I like were actually a bit tight. I didn't buy those, but it proved that the Loft, which is the closest local store to me has huge size creep. I will take the Alpstars to get cinched in the back if I have to, because I see great possibility for them, especially when we go up north and I want warm pants for going out at night, but I want them to look good.
And my husband has had size issues with athletic clothes lately. He is short, too, well 5' 7". He has always been a medium in tops and now he has to get smalls most of the time. He is not that skinny, average to slim, but definitely not super small. I told him they need petites for men!
I feel bad for my son, who is 5' 6.5 and weighs 116.
Crankin, what may help your husband is to order eurocut or procut. My husband definitely needs medium tops to be large enough for his chest and shoulders, but then they are often baggy around the middle. This happened on a lovely PI gavia vest I ordered for him. BUT, I found that if ordering him cycling wear I pay attention to the cut, and order what they call eurocut or procut (he does have a european body, he was born in Portugal and is small boned) they fit perfectly. Also, certain stores cater better to his body type than others, i.e. international male. SO yeh, I guess its hard for guys too, but at least a 32 waist is a 32 waist everywhere (although DH's is actually 31, but they are too hard to find.....), whereas a women's 4 can range from a 0 to an 8 depending on the shop. I have clothes in my closet that all fit me, with size tags ranging from XS-M, and 4-8. I am also often a larger size on top (broad back and busty) than on the bottom, hooray for separates! I have one suit I bought as separates where I got the pant in a 4 and jacket in an 8. But most of the time I am a S/6 which I would call my true size, if there is any such thing.
I hope the alpstars work out for you. They don't look like they would be difficult (as in expensive) to alter. I may still do that, but I'm gonna wear them for a season first. While my weight has been quite stable for more than a year now, I find that very slowly my body has been getting more compact.
I had to break out my alpstar pants this morning after all this talk about them. That & a shak.
My husband doesn't have a problem with cycling jerseys. He can wear the pro cuts, but he likes the looser ones more now. It's more the long sleeved hiking shirts, sweaters, jackets. We have both found that Mountain Hardware and Prana make things cut for small people.
He's a 31 waist, too.
My husband gave me a very nice Icebreaker full zip hoodie for our anniversary. It's lighter weight than the half zip Shak hoodie and not as itchy. I wore it all day yesterday, when the temperature went from 19 in the morning to 50 when I went to bed.
I was hinting that I wanted a full zip black Shak, but I guess I'll have to buy that myself!
Is it the conquest hoody? It's nice and very breathable.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
Yes, that's the one. I am going to wear it again tomorrow, when I go into Cambridge and I am in freezing cold and then a warm classroom at the university.
I've been coveting a Neve sweater for a while, and finally decided to order one since I found it on sale for $90. Oh my, it is wonderful! I got this one.
I was worried that it would be too small, but it fits perfectly and is so beautiful I want one in every color! Now that I know how well they fit, I might have to order a couple more Neve sweaters.
Oooh, I clicked on your link. What lovely stuff they have. Why have I not heard of them?? How does the quality and weight compare to an ibex shak?
Today my latest (and final before my trip) package of wool goodness came from REI. The soho hat kit is lovely. I like that the hat covers my ears, and while the gloves are probably a tiny bit small (one size and I am usually a womens L in gloves) but I can make do as they are stretchy. The pink set matches my arc-tyrex fushia parka beautifully, and it will also brighten up my other gray and black dress coats. And you can't go wrong with smartwool ski socks for less than $7 a pair. I am glad I held out for that last coupon though!
I am sitting here typing this in my ibex woolies bottoms, alpstar pants, rasberry ribbies crew and light purple shak. Its been COLD in san antonio, AM temps in the 20s and 30s. The alpstars really are growing on me. I worried they were a tad loose, but it just makes them oh so comfy over my woolies and ribbie. I think I will wear them on the plane they are so comfy. And they will be easier to care for while traveling than my dry clean only wool dress pants.
p.s. Crankin, let us know how the alpstar pant works out for you. I so hope they aren't too big.
I've got the Ibex Shak jersey (short zipper) and the quality seems to be comparable (but I just got the Neve sweater yesterday so I haven't worn it yet and don't know how it will hold up.) The Neve sweater is a bit heavier than the Shak.Quote:
Originally Posted by Triskeliongirl
You got the Neve for bike riding???Quote:
Originally Posted by divingbiker
Where are the Neve sweaters made? They are beautiful!
Does anyone know how they hold up to washing? Please give us an update after you have owned it for a while.
I have two Neve sweaters - both purchased from Terry during their 50% off sales. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them both! They fit just beautifully.
Both of mine are heavier and 'dressier' than the Ibex stuff. Super, super soft and cozy though. I haven't washed either of them yet (I don't wear them for athletic purposes), so I can't say if they'll hold up or not. In fact, I'm not sure they are machine washable...but I never even looked.
Divingbiker - the one you ordered is BEAUTIFUL! I love that pattern and the color combo looks so versatile!
No, just to wear, silly. It's way too pretty to ride in.Quote:
Originally Posted by 7rider
The tag says Hong Kong.Quote:
Originally Posted by OakLeaf
It says dry clean only, so I'll have to think hard before I wash it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Triskeliongirl