Favorite Running Gear: Sports Bras for Busty Runners

I used the fact that I'm top-heavy (D+) to justify not running for a long time. It's not pleasant to be bouncing around, especially when you're tired and achy. That said, I've found a few sports bras that really do the trick and keep movement to a minimum. It's a bit of a process of trial and error, and what works for me may not work for you. I recommend using a website like Bare Necessities to try a variety of styles and sizes- I've had to size up or down, and adjust cup size to find the right fit for each of these styles. A really snug fit in the band is key here- any looseness there and the bra just won't hold you in place.

Shock Absorber Maximum Control Wire-Free Sports Bra

This is my go-to running bra. It's light, it breathes, and there's no padding to add to sweat when it's hot. I have two, both black. I find that there can be a little chafing if I'm really sweaty, but Body Glide takes care of that fairly easily. It's a basic compression sports bra- if you're looking for shaping this probably isn't the bra for you.

Panache Ultimate Maximum Control Sports Bra

This is my alternate running bra. It's comfortable, has a light lining, molded cups, and does a good job minimizing bouncing. There is slightly more movement than in the Shock Absorber bra, but not enough to be remotely uncomfortable. The movement also may be a sizing issue- I had a bit more difficulty finding my correct cup size in this one. I've never had a chafing issue with this bra, but I do find that the padding feels warmer on a hot day.

I've yet to find any other sports bras that I think do quite as good a job, but haven't tried everything. I've been distinctly unimpressed with the selection for more top-heavy women at Victoria's Secret, Target, and Sports Authority. What do you look for in a sports bra? Any suggestions on what's worked for you?

Favorite Running Gear: Socks

I am a runner. I may not be fast, but I enjoy the way I feel when I'm done. I've trained for a race, and am in the process of training for another. I don't know about you, but I was not the most active child/teenager, so it has taken me a while to claim the title, but I can now. I am a runner, and I love that I can say that.

This week I thought I'd give a rundown of my running gear. Running can be the cheapest sport you can find, and you really only need shoes. But I've found running a lot more comfortable and fun as I've gotten some specialized gear, and I hope this information is helpful to someone just starting out. That said, I haven't tried every brand of running gear that's out there (not even close), so this is by no means an exhaustive list. I have not been compensated in any way for my opinions here, and all thoughts are my own.

As a general note, I run 3-4 times per week, so I try to keep about that amount of exercise clothing handy so that I don't have to do laundry too often.

When I first started running, I ran in short socks from Target- the socks I already had, that didn't clash with my running shoes. I regularly got blisters, but they weren't too bad. I figured that'd be the case in any shoes, so it took me a while to try running socks. I now own four pairs, and I default to them every time I run. Since I have made the switch, I've had significantly fewer blisters, although they do still happen occassionally.

My favorite socks are from Feetures, the Elite Ultra Light No Show Tab. I have the White+Reflector, and Hot Coral colors, and I love them. They're light, so they don't make my feet sweat. They're articulated for left and right feet, so they fit snugly. They've held up well in the wash, and they're short enough to not show too much, but don't slide down into my shoe. At about $15/each they're not cheap, but they are absolutely my favorites.

I also have a pair of the Feetures High Performance Light Cushion No Show, in White. They're slightly cheaper ($11ish), and I feel like the price difference shows. These are heavier, which might be nice in colder weather, but I have not enjoyed over the summer. They fit fairly snugly, but are not articulated. They have held up well in the wash, and don't seem to move around on my foot. They're not as nice as the Feetures Elite, but are still a big step up from my Target basics.

My last pair of running socks are the Fitsok CF2 Cush Low. Like the Feetures High Performance, these socks are heavier, fit fairly snugly, are non articulated, but don't move around of my foot. They run just less than $10/pair, and seem to have held up well in the wash. They're not as nice as the Feetures Elite, but are still a big step up from my Target basics. They generally tie for second place with the Feetures High Performance.

These socks are not in my general rotation, but I do have a pair of ProCompression compression socks that I bought after my half-marathon. My understanding is that the compression is supposed to help your body recover more quickly after a long run, but I haven't gone on a long enough run lately to try them out. If you are interested in trying compression socks, I recommend waiting until after a half-marathon to buy- I saved a fair bit on the purchase using a coupon code from my swag bag. That said, I didn't have them to recover from that race with.

Do you use compression socks? Do you have any recommendations for running socks? Anything that really didn't work for you?

Wanderlust: My Travel Wishlist

Do you keep a list of places you'd really like to visit someday? My top five (in no particular order) are:

Paris: I want to see the Eiffel Tower and Arch du Triumph, sip a cafe latte on the patio of a cafe, and have a carafe of wine in a bistro.

Croatia: I want to visit the beaches, eat pizza, and finally see the Plitvice Lakes (this has been on my list for years).

Las Vegas: I want to see the Strip at night, go to a show, eat at a buffet, and visit the Grand Canyon.

Thailand: I want to explore ruins, laze around on the beach, ride an elephant, and eat delicious food.

 

The Florida Keys: I want to drive across the long bridges, see the southernmost point in the United States, laze around on the beach, and swim with dolphins.

Not only do I keep a running list, I also use Pinterest and email chains to keep track of things to do in each of these places. Will I ever go there? Who knows. If I do, will a bit of my research already be done? Yes. If I decide to take a trip, I've also got that information around to remind me where I've wanted to go for a while.

Do you keep a list of places you want to go and things you want to do there? What's on your travel wishlist?

** All images from Wikipedia **

 

Packing 101: Carry-On Only

Like I mentioned previously, I travel almost exclusively carry-on only. I always pack in my hard-sided, 4-wheeled rolling suitcase. I got mine in Japan, but similar ones are available here. I highly recommend this type of suitcase if you're traveling somewhere with good sidewalks, but it's not the best for carrying if you have a lot of stairs or cobblestones. For that, I'd recommend something with a good shoulder strap. Either way, I suggest a color other than black or gray, so that it's easier to spot if you do need to check it.

I've seen many packing formulas around the web, but here is mine:

I pack a new outfit for each day under 1 week, but try to reuse articles of clothing if I can. I prioritize thinner layering pieces over bulky sweaters and jackets- it provides more options, and takes less space to pack. A sample packing list for a long weekend at a conference would look something like this (pictured above from left to right and top to bottom):

3 dresses (or if the weather is cold, 1 pair of pants, 3 shirts, 3 pairs of socks)
undergarments (not pictured)
2 cardigans
2 pairs pjs
2 exercise outfits (top, shorts, sports bra, running socks)
1 t-shirt (for the return flight)
1 pair running shoes
1 pair flat shoes (for walking)
toiletries (packed in my personal item until I clear security)
fabric bags for shoes, and another (large) for dirty laundry

I also wear jeans, a t-shirt, my jacket, and another pair of flat shoes onto the plane. If I have space and think they might be useful, I'll throw in a pair of heels, but that's fairly unlikely (I like to walk a LOT in new places).

 

How am I able to manage with so few clothes?

* Make a color story. All of the items that I bring should work together. The easiest way I know to do this is to chose outfits that match black or brown, not both. It also helps that my Pinterest boards have helped me narrow down the colors in my wardrobe to a few core themes: I'm much less likely to grab things that can't go together now.

* Check the weather. Don't bring a swimsuit or a jacket if it won't be necessary. Allow for a little variance from the predictions, but it'll give you a good idea of what you'll need generally.

* Know your activities in advance. At least have a general idea. No need to bring a formal dress on a hiking trip, or a swimsuit to a business conference. If a new opportunity arises, buy what you need there.

* Bring only what you love. We all love the idea of variety, but honestly pick up the same outfits over and over. Traveling won't be any different, so I try to only bring one alternate option for the whole trip, and pack outfits for each day that I'm excited to wear (like these dresses, which I've worn in at least 6 countries).

* Be realistic. Much as I love how heels would make basically any outfit look fancier, I know my traveling habits, and I'll be doing too much walking for them to be practical. I'd rather spend the space on a second pair of flats, and know that I'll actually use what I bring. Same with exercise- if you know you won't have time to fit in a run (or whatever you do), don't bring the supplies. They'll only take up space and make you feel guilty (and who needs that on vacation?).

* Pack strategically. Stuff socks and other small garments into shoes to help them hold their shape, and to save space. Roll items to place between the ridges your handle makes. Place items you'll need immediately toward the top of the suitcase, and heavy items toward the wheels. Pack your shoes toe to heel (like they come in a box) for the smallest footprint.

What are your packing tips and tricks? What do you leave behind?

Packing 101: Personal Item

Traveling within the U.S., you are almost always guaranteed a personal item in addition to carry-on luggage, although some budget carriers are starting to discontinue this practice. If you are traveling elsewhere, check with your airline to see their guidelines. I like to use my personal item to keep items readily available that I think I'll need during the flight or immediately after.

I always use a purse for my personal item, because it saves me the trouble of packing one. Generally, I pack:

wallet with ID (or passport if it's an international flight)
an empty glass water bottle, to fill after security
lip balm
boarding pass (I always print mine)
a snack (I prefer a Larabar)
311 toiletries bag, which I transfer to my carry-on after security
e-reader (I use a Kindle Paperwhite, with an Omoton cover)
phone
keys
scarf (to keep warm or use as a pillow)

As you can see, there is plenty of space in this bag for more, if needed, but I try to keep what I carry to a minimum so that each item is easily accessible. I've also fit everything into a bag about 2/3 the size when I needed to bring a different purse, although it makes things slightly harder to access.

That said, depending on flight duration, I may also pack a regular book or magazine, headphones, socks (especially on trans-oceanic flights), and my glasses case (in case I want to take a nap). On a really long flight, I'll make sure that my toothpaste/brush and face wash are accessible to freshen up either before landing, or right after.

Because I travel carry-on only, I don't worry about packing a change of clothes or putting valuables in my personal item, but you may want to consider this if you're checking luggage.

What are your in-flight essentials?

Packing 101: 311 Toiletries

I remember the time when you could bring whatever size liquids and gels you wanted on a plane (doesn't that make me sound old?). That day is long gone, and the 311 clear bag seems like it's here to stay. As a reminder, you are allowed to bring 3.4 oz. (or less) of any liquids or gels, which must fit into a 1 quart zip-top bag. Each passenger is allowed only one bag, although some types of liquids or gels have exceptions if they are declared (check the TSA website for information on that).

While I am very envious of people who own Goo-Tubes, and reap their collapseable space-saving benefit, I pack almost exclusively with samples and hotel toiletries, which I stock up on any time I stay somewhere with decent products, or when Sephora offers products I like as one of their 3 free samples (you get to chose your samples if you purchase online, which is why all of my makeup purchases happen online). I also generally only buy travel-sized makeup, because I find that is the amount I go through before it passes its expiration date. I save the little bags that come with shirt buttons, and use those for small amounts of medication, cotton swabs, ear plugs, and to contain my bobby pins and jewelry.

My general packing plan:

hair supplies
deodorant (travel sized to save space, although most full sized containers are under 3.4 oz)
cleansing oil (sample sized)
lotion (sample sized from Yuzen)
makeup
toothpaste
toothbrush
ibuprofen
ear plugs
cotton swabs
allergy medication, sunscreen and bug repellant if I'm going somewhere warm

All of these go into my reuseable bag. I've tried using Ziplock brand bags, and they're great for one trip or two, but I prefer not having to use a new one each time. I use a BlueAvocado bag that I recieved in a subscription box- it's spacious and has held up nicely.

 

I use the same hair products every time I travel. (1) Moroccanoil (sample sized)- this helps me get away with using lower quality conditioners, as it protects my hair and keeps it moisturized. (2) Hairties and bobby pins, contained. (3) Reusable container for conditioner (I would use hotel samples, but we run through more conditioner than shampoo). (4) Shampoo. (5) Comb, or brush.

 

I like to use basic makeup when I travel to cut down on time spent getting ready in the morning (and all the time, really). (1) Lip and cheek stain (currently using this one, although I slightly prefer Stainiac by the Balm). (2) Eye liner. (3) Eye shadow (ask at Sephora for samples, if not, bring no more than 2 colors). (4) Tinted foundation (I got these sample packs by emailing the company). (5) Eye shadow primer. (6) Tinted lip balm (my new favorite is from Bite). (7) Shadow brush.

 

 

If I'm going to a wedding I'll toss in slightly more dramatic eye liner. (1) Tightline activator by Laura Mercier (it appears this may no longer be necessary with newer versions of the liner). (2) Tightline cake liner (sample sized). (3) Tightline travel brush. I use conditioner to clean my brush after every use to keep it from getting stiff.

 

 

I always try to pack my toiletries bag by putting the largest items in first. This way I know they'll fit.

 

 

After the large items are in, I pack the smaller items into the spaces around them. Using this method, I fit all of the items pictured above and had plenty of space to add in full sized makeup (if I hadn't had the samples), bug repellant, or medication.

 

Do you have any toiletries tips or tricks?





Travel Transportation Tips: Subway & Metro Lines

One thing I generally try to do while traveling is take public transportation or walk. It's almost always cheaper than taking a cab, and can really give you an idea of the city. A few general notes, and I'll follow up with some city-specific thoughts:

* Get a transportation map. These are often available at the airport or the tourism office, and can really save you time and effort. Google Maps also does a great job with public transit in most major cities (especially departure times and trip duration), but the map can help you get a better idea of the city's layout.
* Look at your transit options while planning your day. Sometimes it's less convenient to get from one area to another, sometimes more. It'll help you figure out what's within easy travel distance and availability.
* Assume you'll be standing close to other people. Pack your bags securely, and use common sense (don't hold your very expensive phone loosely by a door).
* Try to access maps in an inconspicuous manner. This will help avoid branding yourself as a tourist, and a target for scams.
* Buy your ticket at an official location. It doesn't happen often, but if someone offers to sell you a ticket they already have it can be a (expensive) scam.
* Pay attention to hours. Trains sometimes run all night, but it is more common to have some hours where they do not run. Don't get stuck without a way back to your hotel.
* Wear comfortable shoes. Even in cities with comprehensive metro coverage you may end up walking a fair distance to get to a station with a better line, or in a direction that the trains don't cover.

City-specific thoughts:

* Manhattan/Brooklyn: This is a serious and broad subway system. Don't assume that you'll be able to get from one side of the city to another quickly, but know that the stations are well signed, and there will be multiple entrances. One flat fare covers any length of trip in the system. Google Maps does a great job with times and entrance locations. Don't forget that your Metrocard is reloadable, and that doing so will minimally discount your fare.

* Seattle: There is a lightrail line and monorail in Seattle. The Monorail runs through downtown. The Lightrail runs from the airport to the Westlake Center in downtown Seattle. They are easy to use, but the Monorail only accepts cash for tickets. A ride on both will cost you $5 as of this post.

 

* Hong Kong: The Hong Kong metro system is somewhat limited, but my absolute favorite. The stations are well-signed in Chinese and English, and each station (walls and floors) is a different color. You can look out the window and tell where you are without reading a sign.

* London: The London Tube is extensive and well signed. Most stations will have easy to find maps, and clearly posted directions to nearby attractions. Tickets are priced based on which zone you are traveling, and can be fairly expensive, so I like to group my excursions to allow the smallest number of trips in the Tube system I can manage. Be aware that the London airports are not part of the Tube system, even if you get there on the Tube- make sure that you've bought the proper ticket or you'll be facing a hefty fine. It's worth the discount to get an Oyster card.

* Tokyo: Tokyo has 3 separate public transportation systems, but they are well integrated and it's clear when you're passing from one to another (they are marked on the map with different types of lines). You will need to buy a new ticket if you transfer train types, but not within a transit system. All stations have at least one transit map in English, but it's definitely easier to carry your own pocket version. Be aware that the Yamanote line can be VERY crowded during rush hour.

* Seoul: Seoul has a great, simple metro system with decent English signage (usually in smaller letters below the Korean). The system is fairly comprehensive, and cheap to use.

* Kuala Lumpur: Kuala Lumpur has 3 separate public transportation systems, and unlike Tokyo, they are NOT well integrated (information as of 2008). Moreover, Kuala Lumpur is not generally a pedestrian-friendly city. This is the only city that comes to mind where I would recommend planning on cab transportation.

* Washington D.C.: The D.C. metro is served by an easily accessible metro system. It's a little run-down, but will get you to major attractions and area airports easily. It's somewhat poorly lit, and I would suggestion caution riding later in the evening- it did not seem to be as well-traveled then.

* Minneapolis/St. Paul: The Twin Cities metro has limited lightrail accessibility, but it's ideal for travelers. The Blue Line train runs through the the MSP International Airport and into downtown Minneapolis. Transfer to the Green Line train to get to the University of Minnesota campus or St. Paul (although it's not quick).

Seattle/Tacoma Highlights

I've had kind of an unusual introduction to the Seattle/Tacoma area: my sister went to school in Tacoma, and one of my best friend's from Japan was from Seattle. I've never had a typical touristy trip to Seattle, but here are the highlights from my previous trips.

Dinner on the Puget Sound. Seattle boasts a vibrant restaurant scene, with some top-notch seafood. One of the most enjoyable ways to take advantage of this is to find a restaurant with a view of the Puget Sound for dinner and watching the sunset. I haven't done this for several years, so I won't make a recommendation for what is still a good place to eat. I recommend you check Yelp! or TripAdvisor to see what places are getting good reviews. Note: like any other city, a view with dinner will increase the cost of your meal. On a sunny day, it's totally worth it.

Fremont. Fremont is an artsy neighborhood in Seattle, most commonly known for the Fremont Troll (above). The troll lives under a highway bridge, and is a really unique and interesting piece of Seattle culture. Freemont is also a great neighborhood to wander, shop, or find a coffeeshop or bakery.

Theo Chocolate Factory Tour. My absolute favorite thing to do in Fremont is visit the Theo Chocolate Factory for a tour and tasting. Tours currently cost $10, and walk you through the whole chocolate making process. Plus, you hear about how they chose flavors, it smells amazing, and you get to sample a ton of the flavors afterward. It really inspires an appreciation of the work that goes into making high quality chocolate. Space and tour times are limited, so I suggest calling ahead to reserve a spot.

Pike's Place Market. Probably one of the only nationally known farmers' markets in the country, Pike's is perched above the water in downtown Seattle. They have fishmongers who throw the day's catch, the first Starbucks, and tons of stalls and stores selling produce, grocery items, art, and all sorts of other crafts. I highly recommend a stroll through just to take in the atmosphere, and to grab a muffin from one of the bakeries across the street (my favorite is the vegan poppyseed- worth a try even for a non-vegan!).

Tacoma Glass Museum. Dale Chihuly seems to have spent time all over the country- I've seen at least 2 universities claiming him as a student, and his artwork is in museums and displays all over (check out my post here for a picture of his work at the Denver Botanic Gardens). That said, Tacoma really seems to have claimed his glasswork in a unique way. The Tacoma Glass Museum focuses on his glasswork and that of others, his artwork is on public display in the area around (including the courthouse, pictured above), and there is a glass-blowing studio in the museum. If you like glasswork of any sort, this is a really fun, well-done museum that is worth a visit. If you're not getting away from central Seattle, the Chihuli Garden & Glass near the Space Needle is a good option.

Space Needle. If anything typifies Seattle more than Pike's Place Market, it's the Space Needle. There are all sorts of options for going up the Needle, but I haven't gotten around to them. For me, it's just really fun being able to pick out the Needle in the skyline, and say with certainty "I'm in Seattle!"

Last, but certainly not least, try the fish. Any fish. Seafood is always better on the coast, and Seattle is no exception. The salmon is always fantastic.

Reducing Consumption

The corrollary to getting rid of excess is also limiting our consumption. This is the reuse part of the recycling idea, and I'm not as good at it as I am at reducing. I tried limiting my shopping to only essentials last January, an idea I found on the blog Small Notebook. Great idea, but I found that the limitation actually made me focus more on my wants (kind of like forbidding chocolate makes it all I can think about).

I've found several ways to cope with this:
     * If it's a non-consumable item, I try to find something that we already own that can serve the purpose (I may not have a purple t-shirt, but could navy work just as well?).
     * If it's a consumable item, I ask if we really need it (turns out, we don't actually need dusting cloths for the floors- we do just fine with the vacuum and occassional spot cleaning).
     * If I can't make do, I try to buy used or borrow (thanks for lending us all those tools Dad!).
     * If I have to buy new, I try to make an informed choice about how to do it. Is it something we'll need repeatedly, so that buying a quality version will create less waste over time? Is it something we'll only need once, but can pass on to someone else? Is there a greener product that performs comparably?

This is definitely a process for me. How have you reduced your consumption?

Going to the Library

I know! You're busy, you'd love to read more, but you don't want to have to browse, or worry about late fees. The library isn't an option for you, right?

Wrong! Online catalogs, request lists, and e-books have solved all of the hassle and time the library used to take. I'm a regular user of my local library: I browse online, request the books I'm interested in, and get emails both when the books are available for pickup, and warnings for when I get close to the due date. I can even renew online (unless there's a waiting list for the book). Unless I want to, I never have to spend more than 5 minutes in my local library.

And it's even easier if you have an e-reader. I can browse, request and borrow all from my computer. I don't even have to worry about late fees because the titles are automatically returned at the end of the borrowing period.

Why am I such a big proponent of the library? First, if you read much, the cost of books adds up fast. Second, one of the biggest sources of clutter in my house is books I've already read. The library saves me the time and hassle of sorting through those books to donate or sell, and the clutter they cause in the meantime.

If you haven't already, I highly recommend checking out your local library!

The Garbage Disposal

I always assumed that using the garbage disposal was the greenest way to deal with my organic waste matter: it decreased the amount in the trash can, so I thought I was doing the right thing.

Turns out, this is a little more complicated: by pureeing organic waste and sending it down the pipes, I'm creating water that needs to be filtered and treated at a water treatment plant. Putting my organic waste in the trash sends it to the landfill, where it will (theoretically) decompose, but can actually cause increased methane emissions.

Ideally, we would all compost, but that may not be an option for apartment or condo dwellers. However, there are options that can be used to compost indoors (which I will offer with the caveat that the friends who tried this seemed to have a semi-regular fruit-fly issue), and some cities are starting to offer curbside compost services (NYC, St. Paul, Cambridge, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco, among others).

Want to learn more about how your waste is processed? Some cities offer tours of their water treatment plants, in New York City you can even take a Valentine's day tour.

Buy Less, but Buy Quality

** Updated, see bottom of post **

One of my favorite ideas for reducing consumption and overall spending is to buy less, but buy quality items that you love and will last. Two blog posts inspired me to push my wardrobe in this general direction: this post from Young House Love about maintaining a 9+/10 "overall closet average," and this post from Small Notebook about maintaining a "casual dressy" wardrobe. My goal for the past 2-ish years has been to rein in my variety impulse, and put my wardrobe budget into simpler, higher quality pieces that I can wear for a longer time.

Why? Part of it is financial, part sustainability concerns, part reading Overdressed: The Shockingly HighCost of Cheap Fashion (I highly recommend this book for an interesting take on the result of our consumer fashion culture), and part space saving in our small, shared closet.

There is a wonderful three-part series on how to identify quality garments on SecondCherry, a website I found through Pinterest (if you're ever looking for a fun way to spend some time, search "X tips" on Pinterest for any subject you're curious about).

Fabric
Fit
Finish

This series applies generally to woven garments, but some of the information is applicable to knitted clothing as well. Either way, it seems like a great primer to help you evaluate the quality of a piece before paying for it.

Part of my quest with wardrobe concerns has been to transition my sweaters (a workwear staple for me in winter) to cashmere. I started with one navy v-neck similar to the one above from the much-missed Martin & Osa, which I've been wearing and loving for at least 5 years. My general plan has been to replace my other, cheaper sweaters with more quality cashmere ones, since I enjoy wearing that one so much more. That said, I have a hard time paying more than $100 for any item of clothing, so I've been fairly picky with whether or not I keep any of the sweaters I order.

 

Last winter I bought two cashmere boatnecks and a crew neck sweater from Lands End, which I found after returning several from the Halogen brand to Nordstrom (I found the Halogen sweaters to been too thin- I don't want my sweaters to be transluscent). I like the boatnecks, but don't love them- they aren't quite as soft as my beloved M&O sweater, and there is a bit more "fluff" to the fabric (I generally find that loose surface fibers, which I'm calling "fluff," contribute to early and continuous pilling). But they're pretty good for the price (they were about $100 when I bought in late winter), and are available year round.

 

I looked in to buying a few sweaters from Talbots (a great place for workwear staples, even for those of us who are younger), but by the time I thought to look, all the basic colors were sold out. Since fall is just starting, there are now basic colors on the Talbots website, which generally has a broader variety than the stores. In store, the sweaters seemed well made and soft, with minimal fluff. These sweaters run abour $130-140. I find it often pays to be signed up for Talbots emails, as they tend to have very good sales regularly.

This year I decided to try a couple of new brands, Uniqlo and Pure Collection. I've known about Uniqlo since I lived in Japan- it's a huge company over there, known for colorful basics that are very durable. I visited the store in Brooklyn in an attempt to try the cashmere without paying shipping, but they didn't have any. The merino and cashmere blends were gorgeous though, so I ordered the cashmere v-neck. It was a disappointment: it wasn't the color pictured on the website and above, but rather a dusky blue, was a little less soft than the Lands End sweaters, and was very "fluffy." I returned this sweater.

Pure Collection is a new company to me- I somehow got on their mailing list, and thought that, with 25% off and free shipping/returns, it was worth a try. From what I can find online, they're a somewhat established British company that specializes in online cashmere and silk for women. They have a sustainability bent as well, which I really appreciate. The one complaint I have about the website is that it's very difficult to find the sale items- the main items I liked were easy to locate, but I love browsing the sale section before I close my cart, and they may have lost out on a sale or two because it wasn't very easy to find them.

I ordered a cashmere v-neck and a cashmere cardigan. Both the sweaters were a very nice quality when they arrived- a fine, tight knit, soft, and very low "fluff." The cardigan and v-neck fit differently: the cardigan is somewhat boxy (ideal to wear buttoned, but not open), and the v-neck is fairly fitted. I am returning the cardigan, but very excited about the v-neck. With my discount, I paid $103.50 for the v-neck and $111 for the cardigan. I believe this would be closer to $135 and $150 at full price. For now, this brand would be my recommendation for sweaters- it hits the sweet spot on price and quality, at least while I have a discount of some sort. Customer service was also fantastic to work with.

Since my Pure Collection cardigan didn't work out and I wear cardigans almost daily at work, I've just placed an order for Boden cropped cashmere cardigan. The reviews on Boden cashmere are mixed, but I figured I should give it a shot for a full review at this general price point. I will update with my opinion once the cardigan arrives.

** Update: My Boden cashmere cardigan came, and I'm very happy with it. At the discounted price, it's within the $100 range where I'm comfortable, soft, fairly tight knit, with low "fluff." It's not quite as soft as the Pure Collection cashmere, but has very nice detailing to make it feel less like a basic (gathers, reinforcement on the button placket, and contrast color on the inside of the edges). **

*All opinions in this post are my own. I was not compensated for any of these reviews, and purchased every sweater with my own funds. *