WoolWeenies Club

I guess this should be the best place to ask advice. I don't wear wool regularly because I live in a tropical country. But the last time I had to endure winter climes, I bought the smartwool midweight zip t long sleeve shirt in M. I loved it very much and it fit great and was very flattering and I still have it. Fast forward 2 years and I wanted to buy some more to add to what I have (for winter trips)

I ordered the lightweight V-neck long sleeve shirt in M for myself and a lightweight zip t long sleeve shirt for a friend in S. The just arrived and... Both are too big for me! the crew is huge and the zip t is S is much much wider (about 4 inches) than my old zip t in M! It does not look good at all on me. And I definitely can't give it to my friend now even though it was supposed to be her very belated christmas present.

I thought that lightweight and midweight would refer to the material thickness and not the cutting. the difference was very extreme.

What should I do now? If i return them, (i bought them off mountaingear.com) I would need to pay international postage to send them back. Or is there any way I can sell them to someone who will definitely want them? Or what should I do? keep them to wear as pyjamas in a winter clime

(on a sidenote, I have a pair of Marmot Rockstar Pants for women in L size. Anyone interested in them? I bought the wrong size coz I had cut all the labels off my old pair and just followed the measurements off the website. Turns out mine must have been the M)

deeaimond - Could you maybe sell the items on ebay? That way, the buyer can pay the shipping. I've found smartwool sizing to be all over the place, actually, so I'm not that surprised. I typically only buy smartwool in person so that I can try things on.

I wanted to post an update to my FT dress decision. I was packing for my current trip and trying to decide what to wear as I traveled from mid-range temps in Portland to warm temps in Dallas to really cold temps in Illinios (and back). I saw my dress hanging there and decided to wear that. I layered a black full zip shak over it and WOW...it looked SUPER cute! It was soft, cozy and comfy for the whole day of crazy travel and looked just as good as when I left when I finally hung it up in the hotel closet after some 17 hours of travel. I'm sooo keeping it! ;-)

Jess - if you have an Ibex shak, wear it over the dress (partially zipped) and you may decide that you like it!

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Originally Posted by GLC1968

Jess - if you have an Ibex shak, wear it over the dress (partially zipped) and you may decide that you like it!

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Thanks for the tip :) I actually don't own a Shak yet, I can't tell if the sleeves would be long enough! They're barely long enough on the ibex Razzel top I bought, though the dress seems ok (but I've never washed it). The one icebreaker zip top I have, the sleeves are about 2-3 inches too short. They barely come to my wrists - but they have thumbholes that I can't use.

I'm waiting on an i/o bio hoodie (that company has abnormally long sleeves on everything) that should match my dress so hopefully I'll get that cute look too :)

Kind of an unconventional use for the FT dress, but I woke up for my group run this morning and it was 9F...and snowing. And my thermal tights and my normal cold-weather running tops were in the laundry. So I pulled on my CW-X tights with a pair of compression shorts over them (holds them up, and keeps my bum warm) and then wore the dress on top with a vest over it (and my happy wool i/o bio sports bra). Perfect amount of layers to keep me warm but not overheat! And for once, my quads weren't freezing! Plus it looked cute :) Next time I run a winter race I am definitely wearing this dress.

I love my I/O bio merino sports bra. Fits better than my ibex and they are having a sale with coupon code REVOLT50 on their website. Just ordered another sports bra, crib shirt, track pants. http://www.io-merino.com/ The coupon is good until Feb 15.

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Originally Posted by wavedancer

I love my I/O bio merino sports bra. Fits better than my ibex and they are having a sale with coupon code REVOLT50 on their website. Just ordered another sports bra, crib shirt, track pants. http://www.io-merino.com/ The coupon is good until Feb 15.

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Wow, I am NOT a fan of their new website. Can't find lengths on the pants anywhere, and their size chart is absurd. Really, a 37 in chest and a 31 in waist for a women's XS? (which, coincidentally, is the same size as a mens' small?!?!) Something must be lost in translation.

P.S. Thanks for the coupon though!!

P.S.S. what's the inseam on the track pants? Do you know?

And who exactly are these fragile anorexic teenagers in unnatural angular poses?
No way would I EVER buy from these guys!

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Originally Posted by GLC1968

deeaimond - Could you maybe sell the items on ebay? That way, the buyer can pay the shipping. I've found smartwool sizing to be all over the place, actually, so I'm not that surprised. I typically only buy smartwool in person so that I can try things on.

I

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Yeah GLC, I might just do that. but maybe I would email them and see if they would exchange the items for me. It's next to impossible to buy smartwool here, its not exactly the target market. hahahha!

I'll just exchange them for an item that I already have so I know how it fits.

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Originally Posted by margo49

And who exactly are these fragile anorexic teenagers in unnatural angular poses?
No way would I EVER buy from these guys!

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I mean, really:


http://www.io-merino.com/components/...e=280&fileout=

I concur, no way would I buy from them. What makes them think this is a good way to advertise?

Well, they took off the photo of the girl modeling something - scarf? underwear? covering her boobs with just her hands.

I buy from them because their clothes fit me, unlike ibex/icebreaker/smartwool. Some of us can't be picky if we want to be warm.

That picture is unfortunate (is it the shirt she's selling?). I checked the website and clearly,I am not part of their intended demographic. I'll stick with Ibex, Patagonia, and Icebreaker.

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Originally Posted by jessmarimba

Wow, I am NOT a fan of their new website. Can't find lengths on the pants anywhere, and their size chart is absurd. Really, a 37 in chest and a 31 in waist for a women's XS? (which, coincidentally, is the same size as a mens' small?!?!) Something must be lost in translation.

P.S. Thanks for the coupon though!!

P.S.S. what's the inseam on the track pants? Do you know?

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I agree, the website leaves a lot to be desired. Not sure on the inseams, I only know that the sport bra I bought from them (or S&C, perhaps) a couple of years ago is a small, so that's what I ordered. I'll let you know my thoughts on the sizing when I get them!

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Originally Posted by jessmarimba

I left mine hanging in the closet for MONTHS while I decided. I also at one point thought about sewing the pockets shut and just taking out the pocket material. That dress just isn't flattering, and yet they never change anything about it. I probably could've gone down at least 2 sizes if I wanted to not look shapeless, only they don't go that small. But in the end, I put it on one morning over thermal tights to volunteer at a race and decided it was comfy enough to keep. Doesn't look too bad with a warm vest over it and it's comfy sitting around at home or running errands. It'll never be the cute-apres-ski-out-on-the-town dress, though. I'm starting to give up on finding a cute winter dress.

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Oh, I just made an incredible discovery about my Ibex dress (I have the same issues with the pockets as you). I just happened to try it on over a wool crew, and it hangs so much better. I'm not sure why, but I'm curious if it works for you.

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Originally Posted by wavedancer

I agree, the website leaves a lot to be desired. Not sure on the inseams, I only know that the sport bra I bought from them (or S&C, perhaps) a couple of years ago is a small, so that's what I ordered. I'll let you know my thoughts on the sizing when I get them!

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Received my I/O merino items in 4 days from Australia (faster than getting stuff from California). Very happy with the bra, crib shirt, track pants. The inseam on the small track pants is 31 1/2 inches. I'll need to do a little trimming, as usual, but they are wicked comfy! The crib shirt is lightweight, snug comfy fit for a base layer.

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Originally Posted by wavedancer

The inseam on the small track pants is 31 1/2 inches. I'll need to do a little trimming, as usual, but they are wicked comfy!

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Eek! Glad I didn't get them! I need about a 33-34 to not look like I'm wearing high waters. :)

I actually won the pocket hoody on ebay right when the coupon code came up, and I love it. Not great for tech stuff (no thumbholes, pockets wouldn't work to tuck it in for snowboarding or anything) but good for hiking and being warm at work!

Oh no, not Jones! I hope they stay in business :(

http://www.joneswares.com/

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Originally Posted by Trek420

Oh no, not Jones! I hope they stay in business :(

http://www.joneswares.com/

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Wonder if there's any way to encourage them to go big?

Lower right hand side:


Need to contact us?

info@joneswares.com

Maybe send them the link to this thread :confused: Signed "There are a lot of Wool Weenies out there"

Hard to even comprehend wool in this heat, but I stopped at the LRS today and got sucked into their sale rack. Picked up an ibex U-sixty tee and Icebreaker Cascade hood dirt cheap. I was so excited I forgot to ask for our running club discount on my shoes.

I´m new to wool, but already love wearing it on my daily commutes and when I'm home and cold after a long days work :)

I bought 2 Devold long underpants, 2 different Devold jerseys (one to autumn, one to winter) and nice womens boxers, also Devold :) And some different Icebreaker wool socks and a wool Buff :o

Do you wash your wool gear with a wool detergent with lanolin sometimes? I hand wash my gear with special fine washing detergent. But there aren't any lanolin in it, nor other wool "protection". My gear was quite expensive and I expect long lifetime by any means ;)

Do you air your wool clothes often? Or do you wash it frequently?

I'm unfortunately one of thoose people, who perspire a great deal, no matter what shape I'm in or how long I bike. I used my wool jersey for 3-4 daily roundtrips (10 mile each) and then the wool jersey started to stink a bit. I hope that the stink will vanish in the wash. I got high hopes already :cool:

I hate hate hate synthetic clothes because of the stink :(

I wash my wool in the wash machine with other dark clothes. Cold water. Standard detergent. Most I lay out to dry. While drying it might smell a bit wooly but once it dries they smell fine. I wash wool less often than other clothes.

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Originally Posted by goldfinch

I wash my wool in the wash machine with other dark clothes. Cold water. Standard detergent. Most I lay out to dry. While drying it might smell a bit wooly but once it dries they smell fine. I wash wool less often than other clothes.

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You'll ruin your wool with regular detergent. Wool doesn't tolerate enzymes! :)

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Originally Posted by Devold

You'll ruin your wool with regular detergent. Wool doesn't tolerate enzymes! :)

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Interesting! So far no problems (maybe because I am very stingy with how much I use) but from Googling about I see that the issue may be a pH issue and that something like Dawn dish washing detergent is a better choice.

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Originally Posted by goldfinch

Interesting! So far no problems (maybe because I am very stingy with how much I use) but from Googling about I see that the issue may be a pH issue and that something like Dawn dish washing detergent is a better choice.

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Or just detergent without enzymes and bleach. The most supermarkets carry wool detergent - it's not that expensive :)

While googling this issue I found this from rivbike.com, FWIW:

http://www.rivbike.com/kb_results.asp?ID=42

Washing and drying it
Do you think wool would have remained popular through the centuries if it disintegrated when it was washed? Do you think the laundry methods of the 1300s were gentler than a cycle in your Whirlpool? Don't make me guffaw.
The fact is, the wool we offer is easy to care for. You can take special care with it if you like, if it makes you feel good and lets you sleep better at night, but it's not entirely necessary. Following is a rough way to care for wool, and then a soft way to care for it, and they both work.
Rough
Soap: Whatever you have, but nothing with bleach in it. Water: Warm Dryer: Warm
Wool laundered this way will shrink about half a size. It won't get wrecked. We'd like to see you treat it with slightly more care, but if you can't be bothered, that's quite all right.
Soft
Soap: Kookabura (we sell it), or Ivory detergent, or pretty much any earth-friendly suds sold by hippies or in a cardboard box adorned with at least one drawing of the earth, and word such as "enviro" and "friendly" and "non-toxic" and "bio-degradable" on it. Water: Warm or cold Dryer: Air. If you want speedy drying, roll it in a towel, stomp the towel, then unroll the towel and lay it flat or hang it up or something.
The main thing is: Don't fear wool. Don't save it for special occasions. Don't look back on a life in which you were afraid to wear wool for fear of wearing it out or something.

I know myself. I probably will continue with the "rough" method. Laziness will likely rule and I will continue to use regular detergent and wash wools with my other clothes. I am thinking about my wool socks. I only wear wool socks. They have been durable washing them "rough" and I even put them in the dryer if I am especially lazy. But I might be more careful with my Ibex hoodies and other pricey stuff.

Didn't Irulan contribute her knowledge that the "wool" detergents are no different, and no better, than "regular" (except for the g*d-awful perfumes they have)?

A couple of my inexpensive 15-year-old Duofold wool tops are disintegrating. I've read they were pretty low quality to begin with. My 25+-year-old cycling jerseys and Helly-Hansen base layer are in fine shape, though the jerseys typically only get worn and washed a dozen or so times a year, each. My Ibex and SW stuff is newer (except for the socks, anyway) so I can't say how they would hold up over decades. Not impressed with my SW toe socks, but the regular "thumbless mitten" type socks are holding up fine, and where they're showing wear, it's in the elastic, not the wool fibers.

I don't think I'd put my fine woolens in a top-loading machine, the kind with an agitator. They're totally fine in my front-loader. Extra delicate things go in a lingerie bag. Air dry all of it (my house smells like wet sheep all winter long ;)). The only thing that seems to damage them is moths and mice. :( :( - and those have nothing to do with laundry methods.

I'm careful with the pricey stuff (and particularly careful with sports bras...those get painful if shrunk!) but wool socks just go through the normal wash/dry cycle. I have a few pairs of smartwool socks that are about 6-7 years old that are just beginning to get threadbare - but I've also run probably thousands of miles in each pair. That's a lot of rubbing. Everything besides socks gets hung up to dry.

My icebreaker stuff shrunk a bit more than the other brands so I size up with them now. Everything else has come through fine.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Didn't Irulan contribute her knowledge that the "wool" detergents are no different, and no better, than "regular" (except for the g*d-awful perfumes they have)?

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Yep. Use baby shampoo. It's mild, and lacks perfume and conditioners. The conditioners mask the harshness of the specialty detergents.

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Originally Posted by Irulan

Yep. Use baby shampoo. It's mild, and lacks perfume and conditioners. The conditioners mask the harshness of the specialty detergents.

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I've always read on knitting forums that you shouldn't use baby shampoo, since it's formulated to be mild on skin rather than on hair. I've been using my shampoo (Burt's Bees) on my wool stuff (hand-knit and otherwise). All my cycling clothes get hand-washed anyway, so it's not a huge hardship.

I use regular, fragrance free detergent with wool. Wool gets washed in cold water, hung to dry. The really delicate things get put in the lingerie bag, i.e. Ibex boxers, Smart wool thin base layers. Socks, too, but only so they don't get lost.
I've been wearing wool socks for about 2 weeks now, even up to 70 degrees, or a little more.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

I've been wearing wool socks for about 2 weeks now, even up to 70 degrees, or a little more.

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Oh heck, I wear wool socks year round, even up to 90° which is as hot as I ran in this summer. I got rid of all the other kind. Soft and comfy, breathe nicely, don't get soggy and chafe when they're sweaty.

I wash all wool in the front loader with enviro detergent (it's what I use for all my laundry) and no softener (again, like all my laundry). The wool then gets hung to dry (like all my tech stuff) with the exception of the socks, which go in the dryer.

Honestly, the hardest thing on my wool? My belts. If I wear wool t's or l/s tops with jeans or something where I'm wearing a belt and I don't tuck in the shirt, it gets holes where it covers the belt...presumably from wear/damage. Kind of annoying but mostly my own fault. It's a pretty rare way of wearing my wool though and no, I can't really skip the belt (see any thread here about monster quads to see why ;) )

My husband uses the same washing methods as me, but he puts most of his stuff in the dryer. With the exception of looking slightly more 'lived in' than my wool stuff, his things are holding up great.(mostly ibex, smartwool and icebreaker).

Oh, and I wear wool socks all year too...at least for exercise. I don't wear socks in the summer at all unless I'm exercising though.

I am no weenie, but have discovered that I love to wear wool. I am also lazy. Everything goes into the washing machine, cold water, regular detergent and then from the washer to the dryer. Yes, even the wool. I have a couple of SmartWool pieces that I LOVE that are now 5-6 years old, and look like new despite me being a heathen to them :). And yes, I wash my bike clothes this way too.

SheFly

Oh, and I actually came to this thread to let my fellow weenies know that I'm going to be offering up a bunch of wool for sale next week. Right now I'm on the road, but once I get home, I'm going to have to start seriously scaling down my closet. We are moving in a couple of weeks and I'm going from a room-sized closet (no exaggeration) to a bar that will be about 7 - 8 feet long. :eek: There will be a LOT of things that will have to go. Probably lots of cycling jerseys and jackets, too. :)

I know for sure I'll be offering up a few full zip shaks (size M). I think I have 7 or 8 and that is completely unnecessary (and a little embarrassing)!

Anyone have a favorite wool slipper they want to recommend? After two days in the 30s here I've decided I will splurge on quality slippers this year.

Or a favorite light weight merino jersey?
I have one, a PI, purchased circa 2004. I cannot wear the current PI jerseys or shorts because they don't make most of their stuff in extra small. But, this jersey was purchased before vanity sizing took over and the small fits perfectly. I have never seen another jersey like this, in any brand. It's perfect for riding in the fall and for x country skiing, with a base layer.

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Originally Posted by jessmarimba

Anyone have a favorite wool slipper they want to recommend? After two days in the 30s here I've decided I will splurge on quality slippers this year.

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I've been thinking about this already, though it may be outside of my budget until December...

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Originally Posted by Crankin

Or a favorite light weight merino jersey?
I have one, a PI, purchased circa 2004. I cannot wear the current PI jerseys or shorts because they don't make most of their stuff in extra small. But, this jersey was purchased before vanity sizing took over and the small fits perfectly. I have never seen another jersey like this, in any brand. It's perfect for riding in the fall and for x country skiing, with a base layer.

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I love my 2 Swobo short sleeve merino jerseys. They fit me perfectly although they ARE a size Large! To me their sizes run pretty darn small, but it is very nice for a base layer. I am trying to find a link to one though I am afraid it's been too long since they stopped making them. If I can find something I will post the link. I have this jersey in black and blue, and they are my "go-to" fall/early spring jerseys when it is too warm to break out my long sleeve heavier smartwool jersey.

Hey Crankin, what about THIS Icebreaker SS jersey? Pretty! According to the comments this runs quite small as well.

Too funny!! I was just trying to convince one of my riding buddies to try wool,
and she said it was too itchy for her. Poor lass. (Sorry, Downton Abbey withdrawal).
Anyhoo, Icebreaker rocks, as does Ibex. I am NEVER cold with wool next to my skinny, skin skin.
The price, on the other hand is rough to take. Crankin, "Orca" makes a nice small shirt too.

oh right on schedule this thread pops up. Wore my 18 micron wool longsleeved teeshirt for the first half of my ride yesterday, complete with I/O wool bra (from down under)
and smart wool socks.
I love my wool. All you people who think it is too itchy, keep thinking that, i don't mind.