7 Day Sweater Challenge: The Ultimate Shoulder Season Test

Could this be the perfect sweater for unpredictable fall weather?

Functional And Durable: Surviving Different Weather Conditions With My Sweater

Introducing the 1st blog in my 3-part blog series about putting the Oliver Charles All-Season Quarter Zip to the test from Augusta, Georgia, to Costa Brava, Spain, and the journey along the way.

For this blog, I explore daily life in the American Southeast and test the functionality and durability of the All-Season Quarter Zip in a 7 Day Sweater Challenge.

• 7 Day Sweater Challenge
• My Travel Essentials
• Exploring The Coast Of Costa Brava

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Shoulder season is notoriously tricky. One minute you are sweating through a warm September afternoon, and the next you are wishing for another layer as the evening chill sets in. Dressing for these temperature swings can feel like a losing battle.

So, what if someone suggested a wool sweater was the perfect solution? You would probably think they were crazy.

That was my first thought when I was asked to test the All-Season Quarter Zip for 7 straight days. As someone who runs hot and finds most wool irritating, I was skeptical. Wearing wool on a warm, muggy day seemed like a terrible idea.

But I was intrigued when I learned about the yak wool Oliver Charles uses.

It's known for its thermoregulation, wicking moisture while remaining soft and breathable. Could one sweater really handle both the heat of the day and the cool of the night?

I decided to put it to the ultimate shoulder season test. Here is my evaluation of how it performed.

First Impressions: More Than Just a Sweater

Upon opening my delivery from Oliver Charles, the first thing I noticed was the canvas tote bag that packaged the sweater.

I always appreciate a company that not only puts thought into their products but also their packaging. I love a good canvas bag. This one is spacious and features a distinctly large handle, making it very versatile for toting on the shoulder.

My first impression of the sweater was that it was very well-made. You can truly feel the difference in a garment made with seamless 3D-knitting. Holding my new Quarter Zip, I could immediately appreciate the quality and how smooth it felt. It has a solid, thoughtful construction you just don't find in mass-produced clothing, and it was very fun to show off to my family.

Another subtle detail I noticed is the zipper. The name on the zipper reads IDEAL, which I discovered is a company that is dedicated to the sustainable production of high-quality zippers for numerous products. It seems every detail of this piece was designed with responsible practices in mind

Day 1: Testing Yak Wool At A Peach Festival

The test started with a trip to a local peach festival. The day began pleasantly but quickly climbed into the humid low 80s, a classic shoulder season shift.

For my outfit, I chose a pair of black athletic shorts, a white cotton t-shirt, and my Quarter Zip.

Athleisure is my favorite style, and I love how this sweater gives a preppy touch to a very comfortable outfit. As I walked around, I noticed that even though the air was sticky, my arms felt remarkably dry. The yak wool’s moisture-wicking ability was immediately put to the test, and its performance was impressive.

Day 2: A Lazy Sunday In Augusta, Georgia

Day two was a lazy Sunday in Augusta, with another fall day that felt like summer in the low 80s. For my outfit, I opted for another athleisure outfit of black athletic pants, a white tank top, and my All-Season Quarter Zip. My morning is spent reading a book with my Boston Terrier, Brodie, snoring beside me.

I find that this sweater is really cozy for lounging. The material is quite soft and doesn’t scratch my skin like traditional wool sweaters.

Later, I put it to a classic Southern test: the ice cream shop. Businesses here often crank their air conditioning to Arctic levels to fight the heat.

My sweater was the perfect layer to combat the indoor chill, keeping me completely comfortable while it was sweltering outside. It proved to be the ideal accessory for navigating those jarring temperature shifts.

Day 3: Workday From A Coffee Shop

As a travel writer, I find that my best work surfaces in a local coffee shop while I listen to calm music and sip a latte. My look today is business on the top, comfort on the bottom, as I opt for a neat up-do in a claw clip, my Quarter Zip, and jean shorts.

I love how versatile this look is in that it appears easy while also looking quite professional. I can hop on a video conference throughout my work and still look the part without compromising comfort.

It's the kind of versatile piece you need for a workday that might involve moving between a chilly coffee shop, your warm car, and back into the office. It adapts to your environment, not the other way around.

Day 4: Preparing For The Beach

It’s day four of my 7 Day Challenge, and the peaches are ripe enough to make my favorite dessert: peach cobbler.

I’m happy that my challenge landed during a vacation weekend, so I can test the All-Season Quarter Zip in a new environment. I spend the day preparing for the beach and baking.

I was constantly moving between the hot kitchen, the cool air-conditioned house, and the humid garage.

The sweater was the perfect constant layer, keeping me from getting chilled or overheated as I moved through different temperature zones. As a bonus, it even protected me from the notorious Georgia mosquitoes during my trips outside.

Day 5: A Night Out In Saint Simons Island, Georgia

After a few hours in the car, my partner and I arrived at the beautiful island of Saint Simons. We’re greeted by vistas of intracoastal waterways, marshes, and moss-covered oak trees.

Up to this point, I have used my sweater in more casual outfits. Tonight, we go out to dinner with friends, so I opt to dress up my look a bit. I pair a white denim skirt with a pink tank top, then tie the sweater around my shoulders. I really love this look as it is polished and intentional with a fun pop of color.

This look would also be perfect on a golf course, though I’m not nearly coordinated enough to test that out. 

On the coast, you always have to be ready for the temperature to drop when the sun goes down. It was the perfect, practical layer to throw on as the evening breeze picked up, proving it’s as functional as it is stylish.

Day 6: Let’s Get Coastal

It’s beach day! On day six of my challenge, we start the day on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

As I said earlier, I love a good canvas bag. After bringing the Oliver Charles bag on my trip, I realized it could serve as a great beach bag. I was right! It easily fits my beach supplies (towel, book, sunscreen) and is very comfortable on my shoulder as I carry everything out into the sand.

Following a relaxing afternoon by the sea, our coastal experience continues. The activity of the evening includes a sunset cruise on the Intracoastal Waterway, where I am greeted by hundreds of dolphins.

The scenery was very beautiful. It was also quite windy, so I threw my sweater on over my romper and enjoyed the protection from the wind while remaining very comfortable. As a bonus, the Emerald Blue color gives off proper coastal vibes.

Day 7: The Road Home

It’s time to bid farewell to the beach and head home. A long car ride is its own microclimate, with the temperature constantly changing. My Quarter Zip was the perfect, easy layer to handle the constant adjustments, keeping me comfortable for the entire drive home. As I arrive home, I cuddle my dog and unpack.

Final Thoughts: A Sweater That Exceeded Expectations

Going into this challenge, I’ll admit that I was skeptical about how practical a wool sweater could be. After completing my seven days, I have to say that it exceeded my expectations.

I am very impressed with the temperature regulating properties of yak wool and never felt the need to wash my sweater during this challenge.

It consistently smelled and looked fresh every day. It also kept its shape without stretching out.

An underrated benefit of this sweater is how wrinkle-resistant it is. For a capsule wardrobe, that is a big plus. During the seven days, I repeatedly tossed my sweater in a bag, on a table, or in the back of my car, and never had an issue with wrinkles.

I’m excited to wear my Quarter Zip throughout the year to really appreciate its versatility.

I also love clothes that are classy and timeless, and this sweater is very much both. Having a piece that checks those boxes while being made sustainably and with high-quality construction is a trifecta I can certainly get behind.

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