WoolWeenies Club

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Now you should get the full zip shak in matching color, in medium (one size larger), to wear like a cardigan over your small half zip shak...a sweater set! I "double shak" for extra warmth. The full zip shak has a cool little cell phone pocket, too!
I think you are going to find you want to wear it every day.

[Triskeliongirl]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I did get the full zip shak, so too late, but that's OK. I would still rather have silk or cotton directly on my skin, but it layers beautifully over the cotton and silk base layers I have already.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I did get the full zip shak, so too late, but that's OK. I would still rather have silk or cotton directly on my skin, but it layers beautifully over the cotton and silk base layers I have already.

Oh that's nice! I tend to like the full zip just a bit more than the half zip- it's more "sleek". But they ARE nice to double up when it's really cold.

I can't wait to see what colors they will be offering in the shaks next autumn. I have only gotten black and brown from this year's color offerings. I'm hoping that maybe one of the colors for next year will be so yummy that I'll "have to" get another one.

[Libbitz]

My boyfriend bought me a Warmfront chest warmer for Christmas when he was in Colorado over the holidays. I thought it was a little ridiculous, but I love LOVE L-O-V-E it!!!!

After reading this thread, I thought it would help a lot of us...

[Triskeliongirl]

Well, I haven't removed my shak since I 'tried it on' (except to cut off the tags and sleep). I thought I couldn't wear wool, allergic, but this stuff is different. Today was a drizzling chilly day for south texas (40s rain) and it kept me toasty warm outside with just a columbia shell, and took the bite out of the dampness indoors too. So what did I do tonite? I ordered the "organic sweater" on sale at the ibex site. This time I went with a M to layer over my heavier cotton ribbed turtlenecks. I also like it will go with my black and charcoal gray wool pants, and jeans. I thought I didn't need this stuff, but without central heating it gets chilly in south texas. I can't believe I am spending money like this. The full zip shak is great, but a tad light and small for layering over heavy pieces. I think this piece will be very complementary. Now, I am ready for my feb. trip to the chilly east coast!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Ibex sale!!! Bella vest was $130, now $89 until Jan 31!!!!
http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Product...uct=Bella-Vest

(Note: the black color is marked as not available until Jan 23....)

[itself]

The Ibex Boucele is on sale. Anyone have one and what is the difference from their other pieces?

Lisa

[Triskeliongirl]

The ibex organic sweater I just ordered above was also a good sale, $125 marked down from $225.

http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Product...rganic-Sweater

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The Ibex Boucele is on sale. Anyone have one and what is the difference from their other pieces?

Lisa

I don't have any Ibex boucle pieces, but the Ibex boucle description says:

Boucle must be French for “this much indulgence can’t possibly be legal.” This ultra-cozy, smooth-on-the-inside, looped-on-the-outside double-knit merino provides superior warmth retention and the softest exterior you’ve ever felt.

Sounds kind of thick but soft. NZ Merino wool, of course.

[Libbitz]

This photo was on the Warmfront website. I like that Ibex jacket!

[Triskeliongirl]

I posted this query on another thread and Lisa responded as follows. Based on Lisa's comments should I try to stop the order if it hasn't shipped yet. I am confused. I thought all Ibex was marino wool, which meant it wouldn't be scratchy. While I love my shak, and it works with most of my clothes, it doesn't work with some of the larger ribbed cotton turtlenecks so I wanted something a little heavier to layer. I also want this for situations where the weather changes so I can remove a layer and still have something that looks nice on not a base layer, or if I go into a meeting room that is colder/warmer, etc. adjust my layers. Lisa, do you think just ordering a shak in M would be better for this (and to layer over my S one??). I thought of even exchanging my small for a med, but my friend looked at me in it and said based on how the small fit that the M would be too big. I also liked that it is heavier than the shak, cuz I figured if the shak keeps me warm at 40, this will work even better, either over the shak or over my heavy ribbed cotton turtlenecks when I visit chilly new england. And Lisa how do you wear 2 shaks, do you always need to layer a larger sized one over a smaler sized one like you explained above? The small is also great as a cycling jersey bit it seems them the M would be too loose. I am so confused........... I've been too many years away from a cold place, but always end up sick when I travel cuz my body isn't used to it and I never bring the right clothes.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Triskeliongirl :
Lisa, you posted after me on the wool weenie thread. Do you like my new sweater? It looks a tad heavier than the shak, but I hope its not too bulky. I like that my shak S is very slim and sleek, but then I can't layer it over my heaviest cotton t-necks. It looks like the oganic sweater i just ordered in M will do the trick, I just hope it doesn't end up bulking me up too much. We'll see..... there is always return UPS. I said that last time but that Ibex stuff is so addictive. And boy is wool warm!

LISA: I don't have that sweater, so I can't tell if I would like it for myself. It looks elegant.
I spent years piling on bulky acrylic sweaters trying unsuccessfully to keep warm in winter. When I switched to merino wool, I found I could wear several thin layers and keep warmer than with my old thick acryllic sweaters. So now my preference is just to layer thinner merino- a thin base merino top with one or two shaks and a wool vest, and I'm good down to 20 degrees, so I'm thrilled to be able to keep with thin layering now. If I need more than that I wear a wool jacket on top. I like the shaks so much I prefer wearing 1 or 2 of them rather than a typical sweater these days. I hope your sweater is just what you are looking for!

[Triskeliongirl]

Can you please post a link to the sale? thanks!

The Ibex Boucele is on sale. Anyone have one and what is the difference from their other pieces?

Lisa

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Triskellion,
You may love your sweater that is on the way! Wait to see when it arrives before you decide. I did not mean to imply that it wouldn't work well for you! Remember we all live in different conditions and have varied needs and wants.

I have never looked at the details of the sweater you ordered, and it seems to be made of 100% organic wool but maybe not merino. That's certainly a nice thing- and you wouldn't be wearing it over bare skin anyway. It might well be a totally fantastic sweater to wear over stuff when you are cold.

I mentioned what I like to do with layering merino items. I think of my full zip shak as a sort of light cartigan, so it looks fine a bit loose when I wear it in Large over my other shak. If I could have only one shak it would be the full zip like yours, and I'd have it in the smaller size Medium that fits me not loosely, just like you have done. I do find that 2 shaks layered are pretty darned warm.

If your organic sweater arrives and you don't like it for some reason, perhaps you could try the Ibex Cara or Strato sweaters in medium- they are similar in price too. They are all nice sweaters, but all 3 are certainly quite different from each other.

[Triskeliongirl]

I missed the difference between merino wool and organic wool. So does that mean the sweater I ordered will be scratchier? I don't think it has shipped yet, so I could phone them to stop it. I do love the strato sweater too, but it is more expensive since I haven't found it on sale, but it sounds like you think the strato will be softer and sleeker. Is that right?

I too am glad I ordered the shak in a small. I can even see myself cycling in it, whereas the medium would be too big for that. I guess I just worry that if I size up for layering, the arms will end up too long, but I'll just have to try them and see. I just wish I could go into a strore and try these on. That's another idea, wait until I am in Boston and find a store that sells them. What retailers stock Ibex that you guys know in either DC or Boston?

[GLC1968]

Ibex boucle on sale:

http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Product...Full-Zip-Hoody

Until I went back to the website, I didn't make the connection between the 'boucle' and the Carrie Hoodie...which I own!

It's nice - not as soft as my other ibex lighter weight pieces, but still soft enough for bare arms underneath. I wore this last weekend when I was in Portland and it was cold and rainy. I layered it over a cotton T and I was toasty warm and comfy all day. It is a little more 'sweater like' than my shak (yes, I just got a shak, too ) and slightly (very slightly) more roomy, so it's good for layering. I have the thistle heather one and it looks awesome with jeans! Oh, and the hood fits nicely as well...so should I need more warmth when riding, this piece would totally work.

In fact, here's me wearing it! (excuse the drowned rat look, please ) I wore the t shirt, the hoodie and then that black jacket is just a 'too big for me' shell and I was plenty warm touring Portland when it was about 45F and rainy.