7 Day Challenge: One Yak Wool Vest Simplified My Entire Week

An honest review of the Cardigan Vest from a busy and pregnant toddler mom.

How A 7 Day Sweater Challenge Turned Into A Lifelong Obsession

Introducing the 1st blog in my 3-part blog series about the Oliver Charles Cardigan Vest.

This blog is about my 7 day experience incorporating the sweater vest into my everyday life.

Let’s start with a recap on what it was like to wear a wool cardigan vest during triple-digit heat in Phoenix, Arizona, while in my third trimester. I know, there’s a lot to unpack there.

• Wool Vest For 7 Days
• Mom’s Capsule Wardrobe
• Yak Wool’s Versatility

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I was hopeful, but also very curious. Could this one cardigan vest really handle my daily errands, especially with fall's unpredictable weather? 

I also planned to put its versatility to the test. Could a yak wool and merino wool blend really be warm, breathable, and odor-resistant enough to survive 7 days of constant wear? And, most practically, how would it coordinate with the handful of outfits in my current rotation?

If I’m being completely honest, I’ve been biased against wool my whole life. My brain automatically jumps to itchy. So, when the vest arrived, I did the ultimate test. I threw it on right against my bare skin.

My initial thought was, “Wow, this is unbelievably soft.” My next thought was, “This undyed color is the perfect neutral.” Then I immediately waddled to my closet to pair it with every outfit I could find!

Day 1: Don A Cardigan Vest For A Farmer’s Market Morning

On my first day, I paired my Undyed Summer Cardigan Vest with a lightweight, linen mauve dress that leaves plenty of room for my growing belly. The reason the cardigan vest completes this ensemble is that the dress can billow awkwardly.

While I try not to be too body-conscious during pregnancy, I still want to wear flattering clothes. The cardigan vest, while loose-fitting, helped keep the sides and back of my dress straight.

Bottom line, I felt cute! Cute enough to load up the family, including our 2-year-old and black Labrador, and head to the Saturday farmer’s market for some local goods, a matcha, and a nice stroll before the sun became too intense.

I love a good fall farmer’s market. But I usually have to bundle up in a bulky sweatshirt, only to be sweating by the time the sun is fully up. This was the vest's first real test against that classic fall temperature swing.

Now, anyone who has experienced maternity knows perspiration is a given, no matter the season. This day was no exception. It was a chilly 45 degrees when we left, but the sun was already warming things up to nearly 80 by noon.

To my surprise, the vest was the perfect layer. It kept my core warm in the shade but felt completely breathable while I was walking in the sun.

Technically, this Summer Cardigan Vest is ideal for 45-85 degree weather, so this was its sweet spot. Overall, the visit was enjoyable, the vest stayed completely fresh and odor-free, and I walked away with a tasty matcha latte and some goodies to indulge in later.

Day 2: The Best Versatile Layer For A Comfortable Sunday Of Church And Errands

Ironically, church days are some of the longest days of the week for us. I try to be up and ready before my son wakes up to avoid any delays in getting out the door in time.

This means getting dressed, flipping my hair into a quick style, starting breakfast for three, prepping the diaper bag with all the necessities, feeding the dog, and, finally, getting my boy up and clothed in an adorable outfit.

All that running around in the morning and this far along in my pregnancy means I am breathless and glistening as we settle into the car. As can be imagined, there’s little time for me to ponder my appearance in a mirror, much less pick out an outfit.

Don’t even get me started on maternity clothes. They are either terribly boring or only created for comfort, like athleisure-wear. While I don’t have to dress up too often during my week, I still like to make an effort on Sunday. But this also requires strategy because the service lasts a couple of hours, then we spend time catching up with friends and letting our kid run off some energy.

Once we leave, we usually have at least one stop on the way home, whether it’s snagging goodies at Trader Joe’s, grabbing a quick lunch, or doing some other errand.

All that to say, throwing together this church outfit was one of the simplest choices of the day. I chose one of the few maternity dresses I bought last pregnancy, then layered the neutral  Undyed Cardigan Vest over it in honor of the cloudy skies marking the first day of fall.

I felt classy and comfortable all day, even as the day turned surprisingly warm into the high 70s, and even while navigating a toddler as he pushed his own small cart around the store. We decided we weren’t going to let the weather stop us from picking out pumpkins and a fall bouquet or two, either.

Day 3: Why Work From Home Attire Matters

Anyone who has a home office knows the mental battle between just staying in pajamas all day versus making an actual effort to get dressed. Trust me, that battle is amplified when exhausted and dealing with stiff joints from pregnancy hormones.

Although I don’t wear what I used to when I was in the office full-time, I have personally found that my mood and productivity benefit when I wear normal clothes while sitting at my desk at home. Besides that, I am also more likely to have motivation after work hours to continue staying productive, whether it’s toward chores, dinner prep, or being convinced to leave the house for a rare social gathering.

I also cringe any time I get called into a video conference and I realize how sloppy I look.

The Summer Cardigan Vest was an easy way to dress up a simple cotton lounge dress while I sat at my desk all day. My home office is always a little chilly, and this was the perfect layer to provide a little extra warmth without being bulky. Win-win!

Day 4: Putting A 100% Wool Vest's Durability And Versatility To The Test

While I did have to work from my home office again, I also realized my sourdough starter was overflowing and busting to be baked.

Before heading to my desk, I mixed my dough concoction to sit and stew for the day, not even bothering to throw on an apron. I wasn’t exactly trying to test the cardigan vest’s resilience, but upon inspection, no sourdough or flour residue lingered on the finely-woven garment.

After work and dinner, my family decided to head outside around sunset for an evening walk. Again, I wanted to get a feel for the moisture-wicking promise the cardigan vest, and all other Oliver Charles sweaters, attest to.

The fall air was cool, but we kept a brisk pace, so I definitely worked up a light sweat. When we walked back through the door, I did a quick check. I was impressed. The vest didn't feel damp or clammy at all. Four days in, and the odor-resistant sweater vest was still odorless and dry!

Day 5: A Summer Cardigan Vest Built For All Seasons

Finally, my last workday of the week! In celebration, my son, the dog, and I blasted his favorite tunes on the way to grandma’s house, dancing in the driver’s seat along with him. Then, on the way back home, I treated myself to an iced pumpkin chai with a pup cup for the dog.

Despite his special snack, he moped and nudged me throughout the day, even climbing into my lap a few times to check on me and my baby bump. While he definitely stepped on my cardigan vest a couple of times, and I caved to his yearnings and nuzzled him against me as well, my button-up sweater survived the day without snags and no black dog hairs, amazingly!

After work, I had a sudden urge to decorate my house for fall once dinner was done. Maybe the cozy but cool and breathable Summer Cardigan Vest was the source of inspiration, or maybe it was a coincidence. We may never know!

Day 6: What Happens When You Machine Wash a Yak Merino Wool Vest?

My “day off” consisted of a doctor appointment, a grocery haul, catching up on chores, and chasing a giggling toddler.

At this point, my cardigan vest had been to church, sweated in, pulled and stretched by a toddler, jumped on and snuggled against by a black dog, exposed to dishwater, a hot stove, baking ingredients, and plenty of other potentially messy materials.

But guess what? My cardigan was still free of dog hair, odors, and stains. I even had my husband smell it for me!

That evening, we were headed to a staycation I had been gifted. I decided it was time to throw the vest in the wash to see how it held up not only in the washing machine but after it dried, and I packed it for my final day of the challenge.

I followed all the directions and was deeply satisfied when it came out unscathed and unshrunk. The final test, to see if it remained unwrinkled after being packed, would be tomorrow’s task.

Day 7: The Final Test: Wrinkle-Free And Ready for a Fancy Dinner

The only time we have stayed apart from our 2-year-old was when my husband and I both caught the flu and needed my mother to care for our son while we recovered. This time, it was a choice, and while we were looking forward to quality time together, we had a difficult time not thinking about our boy. Parenthood is such a paradox!

We woke up in our luxurious hotel room and took our time getting up to relax the day away. My plans consisted of reading, journaling, checking out the pool’s lazy river, and getting a prenatal massage that afternoon. We also wanted to try the fancy cuisine at the resort’s top-rated restaurant later on.

I was determined to pair my Summer Cardigan Vest with loungewear all day and don it with a nice dress that evening for fine dining.

Spoiler alert: I succeeded.

While I didn’t wear the cardigan vest poolside, it was the perfect companion for coffee and breakfast and lounging around the hotel room earlier in the day. It even accompanied me to and from my spa appointment. I was pleased at how flattering it fit buttoned over one of my favorite, flowing dresses when my husband and I sat down to a delicious, uninterrupted dinner that night.

I couldn’t have planned a better ending to my 7 Day Sweater Challenge! Oh, and of course, it wasn’t wrinkled after being shoved in my bag last minute. I should never have doubted.

Final Thoughts: An Official Item In My Capsule Wardrobe

Being a parent to children and dogs is not for the faint of heart, fragile of home, or frivolous of clothing choices.

At any given point in any day, I’m bound to encounter sticky fingers with fists of dirt or markers or who-knows-what. My outfit may encounter dog drool or hair. My pregnant belly may brush against grease or catch toothpaste remnants. As a messy cook and baker, my clothing and even my hair are liable to attract food particles throughout the process.

I didn’t hold back over the 7 Day Sweater Challenge. I did life as usual because I don’t have any other option. Miraculously, the cardigan vest held up and looks good as new.

Best of all, I feel both relaxed and classy while wearing it. Feeling comfortable in my own skin is not a common feeling while pregnant, but this 100% wool sweater vest gave me confidence as it hid my awkward angles and spruced up otherwise frumpy or boring maternity outfits.

I would recommend an Oliver Charles sweater, specifically the versatile Summer Cardigan Vest, to anyone interested in sustainable clothing that is also comfortable, resilient, and timeless.

If you believe that every good wardrobe starts with owning less and owning better, consider buying yourself an OLIVER CHARLES sweater.