WoolWeenies Club

[Triskeliongirl]

Dear Wool Weenies, I nearly succombed to the purchase of a patagonia down sweater yesterday. But then, I got a new idea. While double shaking didn't work for me, when I got to work this morning, I saw my ibex full zip boucle hanging up (looks like a full zip shak but made from boucle not shak wool), which I know has a snugger fit than my shaks, even though the size is the same. So, I asked what would happen if I slipped it on between the Smartwool mideweight half zip T I had just gotten from TE (which is lovely by the way despite being a M.........) and my shak, and bingo, I've got my heavier merino layers down!

So, what I am learning, is that sizing in this stuff is CRAZY, even within one line. While I clearly prefer small tops in ibex, I think I am gonna need an XS woolie bottom (which is on order..........). When the med SM midweight full zip arrived from TE, I was pleasantly surprised that I liked the fit. I wanted to compare it to a small, so I went to a store nearby that stocks limited SM. What I found is that both pieces fit (I think cuz the fabric is very stretchy), and if I just wanted a very close fitting base layer for sports I would probably go with a SM, but to wear over another mideweight baselayer (i.e. Ibex ribbie, mmmmmmmm), it is perfect, and also for a more professional look with suits it is perfect. I tried their bottoms and their M lightweight bottom fit like my S Ibex bottom, while their S bottom was perfect. So I am hopeful the XS ibex woolie on order will fit like the S smart wool bottom. I did like the weight of the wool a tad better on the ibex than on the smart wool piece. I also like that I can layer my wool blazers over the midweight half zip Ts (with or without another base underneath) and under my goretex shell for professional stuff.

Doesn't this women's sizing stuff drive you crazy??? How can clothes sized 4-8, XS-M, all fit the same body???????????? Guys have it so much easier, they input their waist size and inseam and bingo, whatever they order fits.

Crankin is right though, the ibex hooded shak is a lovely piece, I just think for me I got the wrong size, and the look wasn't what I was going after. But I didn't send it back yet, cuz it may be perfect for my daughter to hike or go around town in chilly boston in, and its her normal size. For me sizing up to layer didn't work, but what I have noticed is that different ibex pieces even that are all the same size, have trimmer vs looser fits, and that is what allows them to be combined in different ways. I aquired my ibex a bit haphazardly, ordered stuff that was on closeout at the end of last season in colors and styles that were appealing. But, I am finding they pair up in ways I hadn't anticipated to really give me the verstaility I am looking for to deal with a range of climates and situations (from mountaintops to no indoor heating to probably overheated interiors.........). I think the only way I'll really figure this out is to take this trip, and see what works when I am in a range of situations.

So, I think I am done shopping. All that's left is to try on what's coming and make the return packages. The worst case scenario is if the woolies XS bottom doesn't fit I'll exchange it for smartwool S bottom.

Thanks again for everyones help and sorry if you are bored to tears reading my naive crazy posts!