WoolWeenies Club

[Natasha]

I've been eyeing the Carrie Hoody also. I'm concerned about the sleeve length. In the pictures on the Ibex web site the sleeves look really long. I have shorter arms to begin with. Any observations from those of you have tried a Carrie Hoody on?
Thanks.

[emily_in_nc]

BTW, LL Bean has some nice merino shirts on sale for $30. T-necks, LS crews, and t-shirts. http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...Search&feat=sr

Thanks Knott!

I order a lot from LL Bean as I have their credit card so get free shipping and fairly many Bean bucks since I use the credit card for buying all our boat gear recently, which really adds up. I hadn't seen these tops, but after reading your post just ordered one of the long-sleeved merinos in the teal color, which will go nicely under two wool cardigans I own for the coldest January days, and by itself for warmer days.

I can't afford Ibex at the moment (too much stuff on our "to buy for the boat" list), but LL Bean always has good deals. I had $20 in Bean bucks (plus free shipping), so the merino top is only costing me $9.95. That's a deal I can't resist!

Emily

[Blueberry]

I have a short sleeved and long sleeved version of the merino that just arrived. They're really soft (softer than the smartwool next to skin layer I have on), and could be worn for anything from biking to under a suit

(I got some really nice cashmere too)

CA

[Crankin]

Lisa,
I did see that they host snow shoe and ski things. I was interested in the breast cancer snow shoe, but it was in Vermont. I have never been to that park, but I know I have driven by it. When I get back from my vacation, maybe we can plan a day to meet. I'll be checking the weather and if it looks like there's no storms coming, I'm happy to drive out. It might be a lot of driving for one day for me, but I would do it just to see that store (and meet you, of course). It's right on Rt. 7, I think. Would you be able to meet during the week? It would have to be before Feb. 25th; I'm going to be working after that date.

Robyn

[DebW]

Robyn,
It's "The Arcadian Shop" in Lenox, MA:
http://www.arcadian.com/

Apparently they have sold small amounts of Ibex items for a long time, but now they have a whole section of Ibex for men and women. My friend was there when the Ibex reps were putting the finishing touches on the "Ibex mini-shop". If you go, be aware that there are a few Ibex items sort of hidden in their cycling area as well to check out- like El Fitto knickers and Ibex wool cycling jerseys.

OMG! I can't believe I have never been to this store. We've been going to the Berkshires for cycling trips for the past 4 years, in addition to a few skiing and cultural excursions there.
I may have to take a field trip there SOON. Maybe we can meet for lunch in the cafe....

I drive by that shop all the time and have never stopped there. I'll be out that way on Feb 2 and 3. Can anyone else make it then? I have a meeting on the 2nd at Mt. Greylock from 9:30 am - 2 pm. I might do some hiking and camp over night and drive back on the 3rd. How about lunch on Sunday Feb 3?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I've been eyeing the Carrie Hoody also. I'm concerned about the sleeve length. In the pictures on the Ibex web site the sleeves look really long. I have shorter arms to begin with. Any observations from those of you have tried a Carrie Hoody on?
Thanks.

I tried on both the L and the XL and I did not notice the sleeves being overly long. I have average arms I guess. I ordered the Large one.

Robyn, Deb- I have a generally flexible schedule since I am self employed. I can do either weekday or weekend, but would have to check first with DH concerning any particular date to make sure there is nothing on our calendar that I don't know about.

[Triskeliongirl]

I've been eyeing the Carrie Hoody also. I'm concerned about the sleeve length. In the pictures on the Ibex web site the sleeves look really long. I have shorter arms to begin with. Any observations from those of you have tried a Carrie Hoody on?
Thanks.

I tried one on in the store and the sleeve length seemed the same as on my Shak. They didn't seem unusually long to me at all. In fact, they are shorter than on some of the other brands of cycling stuff that is desinged to fit in the cycling position (compare to say PI or shebeest in the same size). But, I also found the 'boucle' weave a tad scrathier than the weave of the shak. Its a more textured weave which looks very nice, and when I tried it on with a Kate base it didn't bother my skin. Its a very well made piece too. I didn't buy it only cuz it was too sporty for my needs. With the hood it felt more like a sweatshirt, and I wanted something to go from professional meeting to bike.

You know I found the folks that answer the phone at Ibex very helpful, reminded me of the TE gals. Why don't you just ring them up and ask them to measure the sleeve length on the size you are considering.

[Crankin]

I'm up for the third, Deb, if Lisa can make it. I will talk to you next Sunday when we hike.

Robyn

[GLC1968]

I've been eyeing the Carrie Hoody also. I'm concerned about the sleeve length. In the pictures on the Ibex web site the sleeves look really long. I have shorter arms to begin with. Any observations from those of you have tried a Carrie Hoody on?
Thanks.

I own the Carrie hoody and I also have short arms. It's not abnormally long at all. I actually do have some difficulty with my shak arms being a bit too long (extra fabric on my wrists), but on the Carrie hoody, I never even noticed it. It's a very well designed piece and it's quite flattering on. I'm tempted to order another color now that they are on sale!

I do agree with Trisk in that it does have a casual 'sporty' look to it.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I ordered the Carrie hoodie precisely because I did want something that was like a casual comfy zipper sweatshirt. I don't work in an office so I don't have to consider that aspect like Triskellion does. I also liked the sort of bumpily texture of the boucle.

Robyn, DebW- YES, I could do lunch with you both on Sunday Feb 3 at the Arcadian Shop! But....are they ready for us? Might be too much for them!

[Crankin]

Lisa, I will PM you with more information about 2/3.

Robyn

[sandra]

OK girls, I need wool. We had snow yesterday. We have snow once every 6 - 10 years. I have a good base layer and one jacket, the Cirque Jacket (which was great today), but I'd like to get one more jacket and a pair of bottoms of some sort.

I've not paid close enough attention because I never thought I'd be saying this, but YES, I need more wool. Of course, by the time I order and it gets here, it will probably have warmed up to much to wear it. I still want a couple more pieces for next year while things are on sale.

Soooooooooo. If you were going to get one jacket and one pair of bottoms, what would it be? The Shak? the Carrie Hoodie? or would something else be better suited for weather in the 30's. Favorite bottoms?

Lisa, your thoughts for me please? Sorry for the repetition.

[Triskeliongirl]

Sandra, of all the pieces I've seen recently, I just love my full zip shak. I like it cuz it works for cycling, other sports, casual use, or professional use, in other words its a really versatile piece, and very slim fitting so it layers nicely under all my shells. But, its not a jacket, its a sweater. Its also on sale at Uncle Dans right now. As I mentioned, I have on order the Icebreaker 260 midweight bottom that is at a good price at sierra now (see links in one of my recent posts). I have a 20% off code, I don't know if it is tied to my account but if you PM me I would be happy to send it to you and you can see if it works (min. purchase $75). You could also order an Icebreaker 260 zip T mid-weight base to layer under it. A cheaper option for your top are the nice bases Knott posted about recently at LLBean. Also, if you run searches for merino wool at both LLBean and sierra, a lot of nice things come up. I went with the icebreakers cuz I wanted the zips for ventilation, but the bean tops look nice too.

I hear you, we too are having that cold front, and the rest of my stuff will also arrive wnen its gone!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sandra- for you and your situation, i would say yes get a black full zip Ibex shak. It's about $94 right now at Udans.com....I don't see it anywhere any cheaper. It will have a dozen uses and will excel at all of them. It's sleek, elegant, warm, but not bulky or too heavy. You can wear it over base layers and turtlenecks or under jackets and vests...really whatever you want!

Bottoms? I stick with my heavy wool tights and my usual black leggings of various kinds, but most women are not so comfortable walking around in black leggings alone. You might want to try the Ibex Loose Tights. They look so fabulous on my friend but just don't hang right on my figure. They are a great slim relaxed wool pant that is soft and stretches when you move.
A lot depends on whether you want something in wool to wear alone as a pant, or to wear under some pants as a wool long john?

[Triskeliongirl]

Sandra, another idea for your bottom. I picked up some really nice wool pants at amazing prices on sale at Ann Taylor Loft. They just reduced their clearance merchandise by another 40% which amounts to a total discount of ~80%. So, if you have one near you check it out. I am so glad I did.