WoolWeenies Club

[Crankin]

I got my Icebreaker order late Thursday. The 2 "skin" shirts fit me perfectly in the extra small. I bought a black and a persimmon one, with designs on the bottom half. Funny, I read reviews of the shirt and they all said they are skin tight, can't wear to work, get a bigger size. I found they fit me perfectly; suspiciously perfectly, since I usually wear petite sizes. They are not as tight as some of my lycra stuff and the sleeves fit perfectly (usually that's where things are always too long on me).
Anyway, I wore the persimmon one, under my Shak, for my first day of work. When I first got to school, my boss asked me all about the Shak, so I gave her an Ibex lecture. My classroom is always too hot; I opened the window so I could keep the Shak on! Then, later I took it off after lunch. One of the girls saw the little Icebreaker tag and said, "Oh my God, do you have Abecrombie on?" I guess they have a similar tag. The thought of a teacher wearing Abecrombie was too much for them....
I am now washing the shirts to soften them up.
I thought about changing my screen name here, since an old colleague DID find me by googling me and my TE posts came up. But so do a bunch of references to me on the AMC site about rides I lead. Plus, the old posts would still be there.

[Triskeliongirl]

You gals are killing me. I succumbed to make another ibex order. I *almost* ordered the purple kate yesterday from back country, but I said, heck winter is over and I got through it with what I have. But then, I wore my cotton sweater to work yesterday. It was in the 70s outside and I WAS FREEZING. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME????? IS IT THE WOOL ADDICTION, THAT DOWNLREGULATES OUR BODY TEMP TO DRIVE US TO BUY MORE WOOL??????????? Well, after logging on to the woolweenies this morning, I wandered over to the Ibex sale, and noticed the solid color norgie crews on sale. How did I miss this, or were they recently added? I tried them on in the store and loved them, for those days when a shak is too much and perhaps a kate isn't enough, but didn't like the two tone look that was available. So, I ordered a blue and green solid to get me through the warmer days of winter and cooler days of fall and spring. Of course, together with my shaks they'll get me through anything. I also ordered the wool glove liners. I don't own any, but thought they would be perffect to layer under short fingered cycling gloves when its cold, and a nice goretex outer glove when it rains. Gosh, when will this lust for wool STOP?

I was freezing at a party at work yesterday, and one of the gals commented the same thing happened to her when she lost weight. I never realized how much I counted on my 'insulation.' My biggest fear used to be overheating. Will I ever be able to wear cotton again? Maybe only with a wool layer underneath........

I am finally getting a sense of what my various pieces can do, and how they can be combined. Like this morning, pouring rain and I had to bring my car in for service. Normally I'd throw the bike on the rack and ride home, but too wet for that. So, I bundled up in my ribbie, shak, and columbia omnitech hooded shell, which was perfect for a rainy walk in the low 50s. At least it felt good to move. I don't like to ride in the rain for safety reasons (brakes just don't work well) but the walk, with the right clothes on, felt great. I get to do it again in a few hours to retieve the car.

[Natasha]

Got my Ibex Carrie Hoody and I love the color and the fit. I am disappointed however because it isn't very warm. I have been wearing it around the house (we keep our house pretty cool) and it doesn't keep me warm. I keep warm with a shak or fleece, but not the Carrie Hoody.
Anyone else had more experience on temp range with the Carrie Hoody?
Thanks.

[GLC1968]

Got my Ibex Carrie Hoody and I love the color and the fit. I am disappointed however because it isn't very warm. I have been wearing it around the house (we keep our house pretty cool) and it doesn't keep me warm. I keep warm with a shak or fleece, but not the Carrie Hoody.
Anyone else had more experience on temp range with the Carrie Hoody?
Thanks.

I'm glad it fits you, Natasha! That's weird about it not feeling very warm. Perhaps the weave is looser than your other items, so it's allowing a 'breeze' to get through? I tend to wear mine either layered over a l/s wool shirt (like a Kate), or over just a T and under a wind breaker type jacket. I was amazed at how warm the Carrie Hoody kept me when worn with a t-shirt and under a rain jacket in Portland a few weeks back. It was cold and rainy, but I was toasty warm. Maybe it was the combo of the Carrie with the windbreaking properties of the jacket that made it work?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I wear my Carrie over a base layer or shak, never by itself around the house. It keeps me quite warm if I'm fitness walking 5 miles outside down to 15 degreesF. It does let in a slight breeze, whcih is why I really like it while walking because I don't get stuffy and sweaty, but I stay very warm in it. Not sure why you are cold in it. The wool is thicker than a shak but a bit looser weave, more like wool terry cloth.

[Natasha]

Thanks for the feedback on the Carrie Hoody. I bet it is the looser weave that I am feeling. I've been wearing it over a capilene base layer. I'll try it over a shak.

[Crankin]

I tried using the hood on my half zip Shak for a head cover while cycling yesterday. It fit fine, but it was just a bit too loose over my ears; it was very windy and my ears felt cold. I replaced with my cheap beenie on the way back and that was much better. I think it would work on a less windy day, though.

[Triskeliongirl]

I ended up cancelling the ibex order. The norgie crew just isn't dressy enough for what I want. I just noticed some nice looking cashmere t-necks on sale at llbean. Is cashmere also soft and non-itching, like merino wool? I am looking for something dressy to pair with my wool suits.