WoolWeenies Club

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

RTW - I have two of the pointelle tanks.....They are super cute just as is, too. I often wear them out gardening because they breathe better than my cotton tanks and stay looking nice all day.

Ok you just made me buy one to try out.

[RTW]

Ok you just made me buy one to try out.

I know, we twisted your arm.

GLC, will try your suggestion of throwing the camisole in the wash -- if the straps are long on you, imagine how low the top sits on short-statured me!

[melissam]

Hi, I'm Melissa and I'm a WoolWeenie.

<Hi, Melissa!>

Hi everyone. I never thought it could happen to me. I came of cycling age in the '80's, and wool was for "other people." It was hot and itchy, and retro, before being retro was cool. I was enamored with lycra and other technical fabrics. I guess the signs were there, though. I had a lugged steel bike with friction shifters on the downtube well into the new milenium. I thought I was safe when I bought a carbon fiber bike with brifters and built up my cycling wardrobe with an Amici Veloci jersey and some socks.

Ah, but trouble was just down the road. Jobob invited me to join her on a brevet in October, and rain was in the forecast. When I asked her about staying comfortable while riding in the rain, she suggested wool socks.

It all started on a nice fall day in REI, where I bought my first pair of SmartWool socks. It quickly went downhill from there. Chainlove had a great deal on a longsleeved Merino wool Swobo jersey; I figured it wouldn't hurt anything to have another longsleeved jersey, so I bought it.

I rode in my Smartwool socks and Swobo jersey, and what can I say? It felt glorious! Comfortable in a wide range of temperatures, and not itchy in the least. And stylin', in its own way.

Next thing you know, Chainlove had another long sleeved Swobo jersey on sale in a different color, then dachshund gave me a couple of pairs of Smartwool socks, and there was a short sleeved wool jersey up on Chainlove, and then I had to try the Healy Hansen wool baselayer. Wool is taking over my closet and sock drawer.

All of my rides since October have featured at least one wool garment. I fantasize about wearing my wool cycling jersey to work and having it pass as regular clothes. I mean, come on -- it'd be perfect! It could accommodate the warm temps we've been having outside and the blast of air conditioning we've been getting at work.

I know, I'm a sick woman. So that's why I'm here. Is there any hope for me?

- Melissa

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

....I fantasize about wearing my wool cycling jersey to work and having it pass as regular clothes. I mean, come on -- it'd be perfect! It could accommodate the warm temps we've been having outside and the blast of air conditioning we've been getting at work.

.....Is there any hope for me?

\

Yes, there is hope Melissam... The merino Kate tops are on sale right now at Ibex.com ...and they would be classic enough to wear to work- Ibex Kate
Or, just secretly wear a merino camisole underneath your work tops:
camisole on sale too

[Crankin]

While I was perfectly dressed for the cold temperatures in Boston last night, the theatre was so warm, I had to take my Shak off and watch the play in my Kate.
And I looked as nice as my friend who was wearing a wool suit and a turtleneck!
No bad icy sidewalks, either.

[RTW]

Help...me...resist....

Altrec.com has the Icebreaker Nomad on sale with a coupon for $84. I know I don't *need* it, but that's a really good price. Someone make me stop shopping for wool!!!!!

ETA: Oh no. They have a lot more than that on sale. Cannot resist...

(Looking at the Quantum Pants and City Lily Pants. Anyone have experience with Icebreaker's pants?)

[Kelly728]

Bleecker,
Got my TE order today and thanks for telling me to get that smartwool midweight zip.... it is indeed seriously comfortable! I tried it on and haven't taken it off since!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Bleecker,
Got my TE order today and thanks for telling me to get that smartwool midweight zip.... it is indeed seriously comfortable! I tried it on and haven't taken it off since!

You're welcome!

Now you'll need a second one for when the first one is being laundered....because you'll want to wear them every day.

I'm assuming you know the basics about merino wash-safe items:

You can wear them more times than you'd think and they won't get smelly like cotten or poly- just hang them out to air overnight. Washing them after every wearing will just wear them out too soon. They are wool- they don't get stinky for a while.
When you do wash them- gentle cycle, gentle temps.
To dry- lay out to air dry is best, but you can dry them in a dryer if you set the temp on LOW and take them out as soon as possible. Sometimes I half-dry them in the dryer (to help get the cat hair off) then lay them out to finish drying by air.

Have fun!

[Kelly728]

You're welcome!

Now you'll need a second one for when the first one is being laundered....because you'll want to wear them every day.

Shhhh we already know I'm a push-over!

[Aggie_Ama]

Alright weenies I am tempted by your dark side. How does Ibex fit? And yes I realize you have probably answered this 10x in the 180 pages but searching is hard!

I got $100 left from Christmas and with our mild yet a bit chilly for me Spring coming the El Fitos looks tempting. I am a large size 8 or small size 10 (meaning I am stuck between the two in my weight loss at the moment!), in most cycling clothes I wear a medium now because large is getting just a tad too big. Does Ibex fit all Euro where I need to go big or like American brands (PI and Cannondale are the majority of my things) where I am a medium?

[KathiCville]

Aggie....I grabbed a pair of El Fitos a couple of months ago when TE sent me a 20% coupon. LOVE them! Like the wool tops we all love, they keep me wonderfully warm, but the fabric breathes, too.

I'm 5'3", pear-shaped and generally wear a 4. The Small is perfect on me, unlike the Smalls of some other brands (Gore, Castelli, Descente). If you're not sure which size would work best, it might be worth ordering pairs in different sizes and just send back the one that doesn't suit you.

[RTW]

For those who remember my questions about the sizing of the Shak and Carrie and so on....I've decided to keep the Carrie in S and return the Carrie in M. But before I do that, I wanted to offer it up here (since the REI price was a really good deal). If anyone here is interested in the gray Carrie hoodie in M, send me a PM -- it would be $74.93 plus shipping.

Will most likely keep the Shak, though if I change my mind, I'll also let you all know first. Thanks for all the advice!

[emily_in_nc]

So I just picked up my Ibex Shak full-zip (thanks to Triskeliongirl who pointed out that REI Outlet had my size in black in XS only for an excellent price), and I wore it today for the first time. I absolutely love it! Why in the world did I wait so long?

Now the company I work for has filed for bankruptcy protection, and until I know if I'll still have a job in a month or three, I don't feel like I can spend any money....so I'll have to make do for now, but I sure would like some more Ibex someday. A girl can dream...

[Jolt]

Wow, I think the black full-zip Shak should be the official TE uniform--seems like most of us have them (yes, I got one from that sale at REI too)!!

[emily_in_nc]

I saw some more Ibex I'd love on sale at backcountry outlet, but no more spending for me. Hopefully soon I'll find out I have a "secure" (or relatively so, in this economy) job and can buy a few more pieces...