Description of Icebreaker Allstar Full-Zip Top - Long-Sleeve - Women's:
The Icebreaker Women's Allstar Full-Zip Top gives you a stylish outer layer that delivers highly breathable warmth for the shoulder seasons. Whether you zip up this heavyweight top for the autumn leaves or spring flowers, its densely woven outer material resists wind, and its inner looped construction seals in warmth. Since Icebreaker constructed both sides with 100% merino wool, this long-sleeve shirt remains highly breathable, insulates even when wet, and won't hold odors like a synthetic top. Two-colored stripes along the raglan sleeves give the Allstar Top a retro look, which makes it great to wear around town.
Bottom Line: When it's just cold enough to see your breath, zip up the Icebreaker Allstar Top and stay warm.
I also wear this sweater more than any other fleece or zip up sweater I have. True - it is a bit boxy, but it is warm and better looking than a fleece jacket. I wear it everywhere!
I love Icebreaker products so I was surprised when I tried it on and it was very boxy looking. The pockets in front makes the jacket rather stiff and bulky so it doesn't look that great unzipped.
Having said that, I really needed an in-between jacket for my trip to blustery England so I took it with me. I wore it just about every day and the fabric relaxed so it's not as boxy anymore and kept me warm under a proper windproof jacket. It's only "wind resistant" compared to other sweaters, it really doesn't do much in truly windy conditions but fine for the warm-ish spring and fall conditions.
I also wore it at a smokey beach barbecue and it did not hold the smell of the smoke!
I went a size up thinking I'd want to layer, but it's WAY too big, so don't size up unless you want it baggy, it's true to size with enough room for a thin sweater underneath.
I wear the Allstar so much more often than any of my cotton hoodies now because it keeps me warm when it's chilly and keeps me cool when it's hot. Even if I sweat it in, I don't stay damp for long. I once wore it before it had completely dried from the wash and it kept me warm outside (collar takes longer to dry than the rest of it). It does keep you warm when wet (those sticker weren't lying!). It is also wind resistant; perfect for spring days in Chicago! Shrinkage was almost negligible; it does have the musty wool smell right after you wash it just like previous reviewer says.
