WoolWeenies Club

[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!

[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.

[Triskeliongirl]

What do you guys think of this piece on sale:
http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_d...=1200504852641

Smartwool Womens Routt. I gather from a previous discussion that the quality of ibex is better than smartwool, is that correct?

I am still so confused. Not sure if I should go with mediums to layer over my bulkier stuff, or start buying lighter inner layers to pair with smalls. I did call our local outdoor store to see if they carry ibex, and they said they do and its on clearance now, so I'll drop over there after work and take a look.

Do I need long wool underwear on my bottom for my trip to boston, or will lined wool pants and jeans be OK as is? I do have some old silk stuff.

Also, what do you guys think of this piece also on sale?
Ibex skyline: http://www.backcountryoutlet.com/out...061&mv_pc=r147

This stuff is just so damned expensive! So, I am also reluctant to invest in mediums while I am still losing weight, albeit very slowly at this point.

[Grog]

Hey Triskel',

I don't know what the weather is in Boston right now but unless you're very very sensitive to cold you'll probably be fine with the silk longjohns under your pants, or nothing at all. It really depends whether you're going to be walking or standing outside for long.

I find it generally true that Ibex is nicer than Smartwool, but for me it's mostly superior to Icebreaker (for outer layers). The comparison with Smartwool is less uniform.

What I like about Ibex is that, yes, they are expensive (like the other two) but they are made in the USA for the most part. (Some is made in Hong Kong.) It annoys me to pay over a hundred tomatoes for a piece of clothing that I know was made in China for a handful of dollars, like the Smartwool stuff and even a lot of the Icebreaker now.

[mariposa]

Someone got a Routt for me, for Christmas. I am really pleased with it! I've had mixed experiences with the lighter-weight Smartwool stuff; I've gotten uneven seams or zippers that stick. The Routt, though is extremely well made. It is fuzzy and soft, like heavier-weight fleece. The little stripes on it flatter the figure, and don't look "too" sporty (I can wear it to work). It does run a bit big on me (I'm usually a medium but the small fits me), so size down.

[Triskeliongirl]

Someone got a Routt for me, for Christmas. I am really pleased with it! I've had mixed experiences with the lighter-weight Smartwool stuff; I've gotten uneven seams or zippers that stick. The Routt, though is extremely well made. It is fuzzy and soft, like heavier-weight fleece. The little stripes on it flatter the figure, and don't look "too" sporty (I can wear it to work). It does run a bit big on me (I'm usually a medium but the small fits me), so size down.

Thanks for the input. Can you layer the small over other moderatly heavy pieces, say a heavy cotton ribbed T-neck?
Do you have the oatmeal heather. Is it more heather than oatmeal, i.e. a light gray vs an ecru?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

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!

This is the other Ibex boucle item on sale until Jan 31:
http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Product...uct=Bella-Vest
(but the black one is not available until Jan 23).
That's you on the right in the blueish Carrie hoody just visible under the rain jacket, right?

Triskell- I have that Ibex Skyline top and I like it very much. It is somewhat "Stark Trek" looking. Very soft and slightly lighterweight than the shaks. Here is a pik of me wearing mine:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/attac...achmentid=4883
(I have a weird look on my face because it was really hard trying to take a picture of myself in the mirror at the right angle and without flash glare. )
Like how that Smartwool sweater looks too, that you pointed out.

[GLC1968]

That's you on the right in the blueish Carrie hoody just visible under the rain jacket, right?

Yep! That's a very bad photo of me.

And I agree with Lisa - I like the smartwool sweater. It's really sharp looking!

What types of things will you be doing in Boston? I mean, if you are mostly just in and out of meetings or lectures, you may not need any additional layers on the bottom. I never wore underlayers when I lived up there unless I was going to some event where I'd be outside and not moving much all day (like a football game).

Another source for gorgeous wool sweaters is Neve sweaters. Terry carries them and has a few on sale right now for good prices. I have the one at this link and it's absolutely BEAUTIFUL but not really as 'active' in styling as my Ibex or Icebreaker stuff.

http://www.terrybicycles.com/detail.html?item_no=5134

[Triskeliongirl]

So how does the sizing run at smartwool. I guess I could just order the small and medium and send back the one I don't like. It says its 'boiled wool.' What does that mean? WIll it be scratchy? Will it pill?

I don't mind spending this much for good pieces that will last, but I cannot stand it when they start pilling.

Do you guys know if ibex direct sends shipping confirmations? I haven't gotten one yet so maybe I could still stop the order on the 'organic sweater' which I gather you guys don't like so much. Its also more $ than I really wanted to spend, but it does look quite smart to me.