Wow, thanks for the tips Catriona. I bought the jacket in medium so I do have room for layers, up to a point that is. No problem to get 4 merino layers including two shaks. I was tempted buy that stp jacket, but thought the hooded shak would be more versatile. My hooded shak arrives today, and I hope that I LOVE it. So, I think I am OK on top.....

Your advice on the alpstar pant is intriguing. The reviews I read said this would work not just for skiing but for walking around in a cold place (i.e. not look like 'ski pants'). If that's correct that is just the ticket, since the only wool pants I own are dress pants, and I need something for just walking around in switzerland in wintertime, and if I could also ski in them that's a bonus.

But what do you think about the sizing? The online reviews said to size down, but I have pants in my closet from size 4-8 that fit depending on brand, although MOST of my stuff that fits well is a 6, so does that mean I should order a 6 or a 4?. Can you tell me what size you are in the alpstar vs other brands (i have stuff from Ann Taylor Loft, victoria's secret, etc.), or what your actual measurements are, and what size you bought, so I can see how good their size chart is (you can PM me if you don't like to post stuff like that publicly). That's why this internet shopping is sooooooooo hard!