Icebreaker merino cascade jacket | more options on sale (see below)
6397 Shorty Jeans | selvedge style, white version
Vince perforated blair shoes
Kara small dry bag
This is real-life. Although I don’t normally wear my “exercise” or dog-walking clothes in public (yes, I segment my wardrobe quite harshly), I did yesterday to go run errands. I got this Icebreaker jacket several months ago when it was on sale + extra % off at Rodale’s (it’s sold out there) and I’ve worn it a lot since then (I’m wearing it right now, actually, after Pure Barre).
It’s my first Icebreaker piece, and I’m impressed (Icebreaker merino pieces are made with sustainably farmed and traceable wool from New Zealand and produced ethically). It washes well – although I don’t wash it often, it doesn’t need it – and is incredibly comfortable to wear. As I mentioned, I use it for walking Dagny and to/from Pure Barre, and it’s great for super-cold and even not-so-cold weather. Most of all I love that it has a high neck that zips all the way up because my neck seems to be always cold. Also, the sleeves easily push up and stay there.
The length is good for me, also, it hits mid-hip, so it doesn’t quite cover my ass, but it’s sufficient for me, and I usually wear a longer layer underneath if I’m wearing leggings with it. I definitely recommend this jacket if you can find your size (I’m wearing a medium) in a color you like. I paid about $80 for it, which I think is very reasonable for a jacket that will last for many years. Sierra Trading Post has the best selection of pieces on sale in my opinion.
Anyway, not stylish, per se, but real. Normcore to the max, perhaps?
Happy Friday!!!
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I love Icebreaker’s stuff. I have a purple hoodie and a teal blue dress I bought years ago.
The sustainability’s almost a side note for me. I buy their things because of the comfort and the style. Their socks, which are awesome, come with a lifetime guarantee. They’ll replace your pair when it wears out.
I love Icebtreaker stuff too! I have a couple of sweaters that I originally purchased for hiking, camping etc. that have been washed frequently and still look good after 10 years! As a side note, their long underwear is so comfy–I wear them in lieu of sweatpants when it’s chilly.
Gretchen, you always look nice and put together! Seriously, have you seen some of the things people wear in public?!!!!!
I’m also a big fan of Icebreaker. I have a number of items, including a black Villa dress that I wear at least once a week during the spring/summer here in Boston, and a couple of solid Tech Lite Short Sleeve Crewes that I also wear weekly year-round. They’re by far my t-shirt of choice: unlike cotton, the merino barely pills (and when it does, they’re easily removed) and never fades, and unlike linen jersey, it’s seasonless. Their stuff can also be washed (and even dried) regularly.
I’ve found that the Icebreaker website periodically has great sales, and their return policy is excellent, too.
I love seeing New Zealand brands being featured on your blog Grechen (proud Kiwi right here, we’re a tiny country so seeing stuff on the “big stage” gives us good feels).
I treat my Icebreaker stuff pretty mean and it just doesn’t die. The traceability thing is pretty fun too; my socks come from the farm just down the road from me. Just a little bit sad that it’s all manufactured in China now rather in NZ (but understand why)
I really like the look of the jacket and it looks like it would be really comfortable. I wonder how fitted the jacket is? Sometimes the athletic style jackets are a little tight around the chest. I’m not huge but enough that I often size up to fit shirts and jackets around my chest.
I recently saw this jacket on the athletic clearance at a TJ Maxx in middle of nowhere Arkansas where I always seem to find amazing clearance deals. I didn’t get it because it’s a CHM (cat hair magnet!), but love it! I have a grey base layer tee from Icebreaker, which was wonderful until something ate it (moths or cats, who knows). I got it on a super sale from the Clymb (online sale site for outdoor gear – yay for all the wool socks!).
Have you looked into Grana at all? They seem to be similar to Everlane but not quite as transparent. I am eager to try one of their silk items.
Even your off-duty outfits are chic AF!!
i am going to be writing about them, haven’t tried anything yet though…
oh, yeah, it does attract hair like no one’s business!!
random, but where do you live in arkansas? we just booked our big family summer vacation in arkansas, near greer’s ferry lake. we wanted to be near hot springs and the ozarks, seemed like a good mid-place, sort of 😉
not fitted at all in my opinion, but i am not very well endowed in that area so not much is fitted on me there. the medium fits perfectly on me, it’s great with just a tee or tank underneath, but also multiple layers, and it fits my hips very well.
i got my jacket when i was at my mom’s and forgot to look up my wool before i threw the tag away 🙁 but that’s so awesome that the farm is close to you!
i was disappointed that they manufacture in china/vietnam, but they do seem to monitor their supply chain closely, which i feel comfortable with.
i’m so excited about the brands coming out of new zealand that are readily available here. do you know of others besides kowtow and icebreaker? any other brands you’d like to recommend?
haha, yes, i’m especially shocked at airports 😉
but thank you!
i’ll have to look at more icebreaker stuff – i just wish i could find more in person!
ha, thanks cathy 🙂
I actually live in Missouri, but have family near Mountain Home and grew up in the middle of nowhere Ozark County on the border of Arkansas. My grandma used to live in Heber Springs, near where you’ll be going, and it’s beautiful down there! The whole of the Ozarks is pretty beautiful actually, my parents live in the woods not far from a couple different old mills and a few rivers – I hated it growing up but I love going to visit now. It’s so peaceful. We went on a family vacation to a diamond mine further south and went home through Hot Springs, very neat town. I’m sure you’ll have a great time! ?
Huge fan of Icebreaker here and have been wearing their stuff for about 12 years! Wool coats that fit and wear well, base layers for skiing & camping, tee’s which are perfect for traveling & cosy scarves, gloves, hats & socks. Can’t beat the merino wool!
My pet peeve! People used to dress-up for flights, but now I see pajamas…real pj’s, not just wide-leg pants…and who knows what else.
That’s so cool! (But sad that they’ve moved to China…:-( ) I had not heard of them before.
I’m sad they moved to China too! I didn’t know that. I’m a long time fan of Icebreaker and use the pieces every single day. I wear mostly their exercise or outdoor stuff, not their fashion items. I use their camis every day in the winter because I’m always cold. They definitely make their things for a particular body type which is not always compatible with my own. I tried their undies with no success. They clearly have never met a butt like mine.
My sheep-tracking number/tag is on the inside of my garments. So fun!
Unfortunately, I don’t know of any others that you’d be able to readily find in North America. But I’d like to introduce y’all to two of my favourite NZ companies – Thunderpants (organic cotton underwear made in NZ that….ahem….stays where you put it!) and Chalky Digits (ethical fashion that uses traceable and organic fibres and sources material from as close to home as much as possible)
http://www.thunderpants.co.nz
http://www.chalkydigits.co.nz