WoolWeenies Club

[Crankin]

Well, I wear an xsmall in most things, but when i tried on an xsmall pair of Ibex pants last summer at the Arcadian shop, wow; I couldn't get them over my hips! Of course this was on the day that I had to get off my bike and walk up part of an 18% grade hill, for the first time in my life! Then, I realized the Ibex ski-pants/tights Steve bought me are smalls. They are too long, but since they are tights, I just pull them up.
Going to take a peek at the Alpstars.

[Triskeliongirl]

Backcountry.com is still honoring their 20% off coupon, so with it they have the best price and the 4 is still in stock 3PU-1-R38LT.

Altrec.com has a 26% off coupon (HoHoHo), but the starting price is higher and they are out of the 4s.

These guys also have some good sales on ibex in general: http://www.westhillshop.com/index.as...S&Category=159

[Crankin]

I looked at the reviews on Backcountry.com. A few of them said the pants run big and the waist, especially is big. I already have a smaller waist and usually wear size 2 petite pants.
I don't want to order them just to return. What do you think?

[Crankin]

I ordered them... but the code didn't appear to work. Still, they were on sale and I couldn't find it cheaper anywhere else. Let's hope they fit.

[Triskeliongirl]

Sorry I didn't see this. The waist is big. It has these velcro thingies that you can use to adjust it with, but then it doesn't lie as smoothly. I hesitated because of that at first, but then realized that it allows me to tuck my shak in if I want, or if its layered over (full zip) it brings the waist in (its the back that gaps) and it looks fine. I decided if I get anymore compact I'll just bring them to my seamstress to tuck in the back seam, but for now I like them so much otherwise I can put up with it (and remember I got the 6 yet I am an XS woolie bottom, so if you can wear a S woolie bottom I would guess you'll be OK in the 4). Ibex says their small is a 4-6 and you said you are an ibex S on the bottom consistent wth their 4 fitting you. Also, if I am a 6 in this pant, and a 4 at Ann Taylor Loft, then maybe if you are a 2P at Ann Taylor Loft the 4 in this pant will fit you. And as I said before, the 4 is definitely cut short like a petite would be. I notice is some athletic wear, if the smallest size it comes in is a 4, I am usually a 6, but if its one of those stores like Ann Taylor Loft that goes down to 00, then I am a 4. But doesn't this inconsistency in sizing in women's clothes drive you BATTY? DH just made an order. He either ordered a M (top), or 32W/34L (pant) and everything that came fit perfectly.

I know you guys think I am crazy, but I can layer either my woolies under, or even my woolies plus shebeest windpro tight. While I know that is probably too warm for nordic skiing, I am going to consider that combo on my trip since I will be alpine skiing in the french alps where it is very cold.

I wore them all day yesterday, and it reminded me of first getting my shak, not wanting to take it off. Its a garment that is so comfy, warm, looks good, and breathes and adjusts as you move through different temperature zones. That is so important where I live. It was 30 when I woke up today, but highs are predicted of 71. Then unlike the northeast where interiors tend to be overheated, ours are underheated so there is less diff between inside and outside temp (in fact sometimes interiors are even air conditioned in winter so its colder inside than out). The building I work in didn't switch from AC to heat until last week!

I am sorry the code didn't work either. Next time email me, maybe you need to click on the link from my email (I could have forwarded it to you, as I tested it and at least it brought me to their website with an ad for the code displayed, although I didn't try to actually place an order).

[Crankin]

Don't worry about the code. I also have some x country fleece pants that have those tabs. I forget what brand, but you are right, they don't lay flat if the tabs are cinched in all of the way. And yes, what you said about the sizes make sense. I am a 0 at the Loft, which is crazy... but yesterday I had to go to the mall for the first time in almost a year to buy some Clinique moisturizers that I can't get locally. While I was there, I went into a regular Ann Taylor store to buy a sweater and a pair of velvet pants for dress up. I fit perfectly into the size 2 and the modern fit jeans, which I like were actually a bit tight. I didn't buy those, but it proved that the Loft, which is the closest local store to me has huge size creep. I will take the Alpstars to get cinched in the back if I have to, because I see great possibility for them, especially when we go up north and I want warm pants for going out at night, but I want them to look good.
And my husband has had size issues with athletic clothes lately. He is short, too, well 5' 7". He has always been a medium in tops and now he has to get smalls most of the time. He is not that skinny, average to slim, but definitely not super small. I told him they need petites for men!
I feel bad for my son, who is 5' 6.5 and weighs 116.

[Triskeliongirl]

Crankin, what may help your husband is to order eurocut or procut. My husband definitely needs medium tops to be large enough for his chest and shoulders, but then they are often baggy around the middle. This happened on a lovely PI gavia vest I ordered for him. BUT, I found that if ordering him cycling wear I pay attention to the cut, and order what they call eurocut or procut (he does have a european body, he was born in Portugal and is small boned) they fit perfectly. Also, certain stores cater better to his body type than others, i.e. international male. SO yeh, I guess its hard for guys too, but at least a 32 waist is a 32 waist everywhere (although DH's is actually 31, but they are too hard to find.....), whereas a women's 4 can range from a 0 to an 8 depending on the shop. I have clothes in my closet that all fit me, with size tags ranging from XS-M, and 4-8. I am also often a larger size on top (broad back and busty) than on the bottom, hooray for separates! I have one suit I bought as separates where I got the pant in a 4 and jacket in an 8. But most of the time I am a S/6 which I would call my true size, if there is any such thing.

I hope the alpstars work out for you. They don't look like they would be difficult (as in expensive) to alter. I may still do that, but I'm gonna wear them for a season first. While my weight has been quite stable for more than a year now, I find that very slowly my body has been getting more compact.

[Cataboo]

I had to break out my alpstar pants this morning after all this talk about them. That & a shak.

[Crankin]

My husband doesn't have a problem with cycling jerseys. He can wear the pro cuts, but he likes the looser ones more now. It's more the long sleeved hiking shirts, sweaters, jackets. We have both found that Mountain Hardware and Prana make things cut for small people.
He's a 31 waist, too.

[Crankin]

My husband gave me a very nice Icebreaker full zip hoodie for our anniversary. It's lighter weight than the half zip Shak hoodie and not as itchy. I wore it all day yesterday, when the temperature went from 19 in the morning to 50 when I went to bed.
I was hinting that I wanted a full zip black Shak, but I guess I'll have to buy that myself!

[Cataboo]

My husband gave me a very nice Icebreaker full zip hoodie for our anniversary. It's lighter weight than the half zip Shak hoodie and not as itchy. I wore it all day yesterday, when the temperature went from 19 in the morning to 50 when I went to bed.
I was hinting that I wanted a full zip black Shak, but I guess I'll have to buy that myself!

Is it the conquest hoody? It's nice and very breathable.

[Crankin]

Yes, that's the one. I am going to wear it again tomorrow, when I go into Cambridge and I am in freezing cold and then a warm classroom at the university.

[divingbiker]

I've been coveting a Neve sweater for a while, and finally decided to order one since I found it on sale for $90. Oh my, it is wonderful! I got this one.

I was worried that it would be too small, but it fits perfectly and is so beautiful I want one in every color! Now that I know how well they fit, I might have to order a couple more Neve sweaters.

[Triskeliongirl]

Oooh, I clicked on your link. What lovely stuff they have. Why have I not heard of them?? How does the quality and weight compare to an ibex shak?

Today my latest (and final before my trip) package of wool goodness came from REI. The soho hat kit is lovely. I like that the hat covers my ears, and while the gloves are probably a tiny bit small (one size and I am usually a womens L in gloves) but I can make do as they are stretchy. The pink set matches my arc-tyrex fushia parka beautifully, and it will also brighten up my other gray and black dress coats. And you can't go wrong with smartwool ski socks for less than $7 a pair. I am glad I held out for that last coupon though!

I am sitting here typing this in my ibex woolies bottoms, alpstar pants, rasberry ribbies crew and light purple shak. Its been COLD in san antonio, AM temps in the 20s and 30s. The alpstars really are growing on me. I worried they were a tad loose, but it just makes them oh so comfy over my woolies and ribbie. I think I will wear them on the plane they are so comfy. And they will be easier to care for while traveling than my dry clean only wool dress pants.

p.s. Crankin, let us know how the alpstar pant works out for you. I so hope they aren't too big.

[divingbiker]

Oooh, I clicked on your link. What lovely stuff they have. Why have I not heard of them?? How does the quality and weight compare to an ibex shak?

I've got the Ibex Shak jersey (short zipper) and the quality seems to be comparable (but I just got the Neve sweater yesterday so I haven't worn it yet and don't know how it will hold up.) The Neve sweater is a bit heavier than the Shak.