All-Season Marled Crew

The all-season marled crew is a winner. Soft, lightweight and temperature regulating. March was a perfect time to wear it for 30 days because of ever-changing spring weather in Minnesota. I wore it comfortably in temps below 20° with a cami under and light puffy coat over, and in 60+° with no base layer or jacket. On one particularly cold day walking, everywhere on my body was cold except for my arms and torso where the OC yak and merino blend wool kept me warm. I could get a little too warm sitting in the sun indoors or immediately coming inside after being out in the cold, before my body temp could acclimate. When my challenge ended, I walked outside in cold temps with 3 layers + cami under my coat (instead of just the sweater + cami) and I wasn’t as warm or comfortable. As soon as my sweater was dry after washing, I was wearing it again.

The knit of the all-season sweater is so lightweight that it caused no bulk and was easy to tuck into my jeans for extra warmth. I usually wear many layers in the winter, so I was surprised to be warm enough with just this one cozy layer under a coat. I had slight itchiness around the neck at first, but over time that has diminished. I love the 3D printing design with no seams. And I appreciate that the sleeves are long enough and don’t bunch up and interfere with snug coat cuffs or gloves.

Keep in mind when ordering that it’s unisex sizing. I’m 5’6”, 140 lbs, 36” chest. I usually wear a Medium but I sized down as recommended and got a Small all-season crew. It’s a good fit but the fabric does get softer and stretch out with wear, becoming a bit baggy on me. However, the bottom and wrists don’t stretch out and become too loose even after pushing the sleeves up, which is great. I only washed my sweater once during my 30 day challenge and again after it was over, and both times it was because I wanted to shrink the sweater back into shape and not because it was dirty or stinky. It hasn’t gotten smelly yet. There was some pilling, as to be expected. My pics show how I got rid of most of that by washing my sweater with a pair of jeans, as instructed (cold water, delicate cycle). The fibers do stretch when wet, so when I lay it out to air dry, I block it into the size I want by leaving loose humps. The first time I washed it, I didn’t know about blocking, so I laid it flat and it was huge when dry.

I’ve grown to really love the emerald blue/light grey color of my marled crew. I had a hard time deciding between this color and the darker navy/emerald blue color, which is also very pretty. Darker colors contrast better with my hair color, so I was afraid the lighter colors would wash me out, but I think this color suits me and I really like it.

Wearing my all-season crew for 30 days made it so easy to dress every day. No decisions about what to wear and better yet, no changing clothes throughout the day as I often do because I get uncomfortable or too hot/cold in what I’m wearing. I don’t usually wear wool because I like easy-care fabrics and wool can be itchy. I also don’t usually buy clothes at this price point. An Oliver Charles ad popped up on my Facebook feed and although I usually ignore those ads, something about this one intrigued me and then I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I joined the FB group and all the reviews just made me want one more. Eventually after much overthinking and a much appreciated OC introductory discount, I bit the bullet and ordered the all-season marled crew. No regrets! The price is worth it if it lasts a lifetime. I intend to increase my Oliver Charles collection as time goes on, so when I do future challenges, I’ll also give updates on how my previous sweaters are wearing.

Now that I’m retired, I don’t need as many clothes and a capsule wardrobe really appeals to me. My newfound appreciation for OC clothing has given me the incentive to start downsizing my wardrobe and donating what I don’t need, including 18 sweaters! Which means I have room for another OC sweater! :-) I want to try seacell, so I’m debating which summer sweater to buy. If you’re looking for easy to care for, comfy sweaters for all seasons, that also have a positive impact on our world, I encourage you to try Oliver Charles. They offer superb customer service, repairs and no-hassle returns and exchanges.

Size Ordered: S | Typical Size: M | Fit: Perfect
Height: 5’6 | Weight: 140 lb | Bust: 36"

I purchased the all season marled crew in emerald blue/light gray, size XS. Out of the box, I loved the color and feel if the sweater. It is soft without feeling too fuzzy. As someone with long arms who usually wears a women's medium, I am thrilled with the fit. It has perfectly long sleeves without the torso being too long. The common results of all 5 challenges, as well as the several other times I have worn the sweater, is that it really keeps me comfortable at a very wide range of temperatures. As a woman in my mid 50's, I am constantly putting on and taking off layers, alternating between too hot and too cold. This sweater eliminates the need for layers and I am able to control my temperature by just pushing up the sleeves when I become too warm and then putting them back down when I become m too cool. It really is a miracle! I also have the all season v-neck and love it almost as much. It fits just slightly smaller than the marled crew, but still has long enough sleeves. I have worn each sweater around 10 times and have no need to wash either yet. They are far better in odor prevention than my merino and SmartWool tops. My next OC purchase will be the summer scoop neck and I can't wait to try that one as well!

Size Ordered: M | Typical Size: M | Fit: Perfect
Height: 5’7 | Weight: 138 lb | Bust: 34B

I was initially hesitant to get a wool sweater as I try to only wear plant-based fibers for ethical reasons regarding animal welfare. After I read more about how the wool is gathered, I felt better about making this purchase. My hope is that the wool harvesting practices continue to not cause any harm to the animals who provide the materials. Furthermore, I look forward to trying out the seaweed sweaters as well. As for the marled crewneck that I purchased for the 30-day challenge, I was surprised how comfortable this sweater is. I was even more surprised how much softer it got after only one wash. I'm happy that I could wear it multiple days and simply hang it up to help it air out. My laundry has decreased significantly this month, which is always great for my life as a busy mom! The pilling on the sweater was expected, and noticeably reduced after one wash. I also observed that the inside of the sweater wasn't pilled at all, and I might turn it inside out periodically to see if that makes a difference. Considering that it's seamless, I don't anyone would notice. Overall, I'm sold on OC sweaters, and looking forward to building my wardrobe with pieces that will last a lifetime.

Size Ordered: M | Typical Size: M | Fit: Ran Slightly Large
Height: 5’6 | Weight: 150 lb | Bust: 34"

Perhaps the most important thing I should say about this sweater is that on day 31 and day 32 (after the challenge), I was still wearing this sweater. The main clothing that I missed wearing during the 30-day challenge were the two other wool items in my closet. I purchased my original Oliver Charles sweater because I *LOVE* the idea of sustainable, repeatable clothing. I want fewer decisions in my life, not more, and simplifying my wardrobe is one way that I can do that. I also want to spend my money on quality items that will last a long time and serve me well. It's also important to me to purchase from companies that take care of their employees and the planet. Oliver Charles checks all of these boxes, so I knew they were a company I could feel good spending my money with. It helps that their satisfaction guarantee helped me know that if anything went awry, I could get a replacement or a refund (unsurprisingly, nothing went awry).

I was a little skeptical of the "all season" claim for this wool & yak sweater. It arrived earlier in the season, and therefore when it was warmer than I planned for the challenge. The sweater still worked well. Wearing it for so long helped me to really understand it's limits - I could definitely wear the sweater when it was 80 and sunny, but if I was in the sun, I didn't want to be doing much. I also found it a little warm and would sweat when I word is on my longer walks (30-60 minutes), even as the weather cooled into the 60s. As the weather cooled off for the later part of the 30 days, it was a no-brainer to basically wear this sweater all the time. I even slept in it 3-4 times.

That being said, I definitely intended this sweater to be a cooler-season sweater. And I live in Idaho where we conveniently have plenty of cool weather. Plus, my office is in the basement of my house where it's frequently very cold. That was one thing that I hoped for with this sweater - that it would help me stay warm and cozy while I'm working through fall-winter-spring when my basement is CHILLY. And so far, it's been great for that! My neighbor was complaining about how sad she feels when it gets cold, and I told her I thought she needed a nice wool sweater from Oliver Charles because it would make all of that better.
I ordered a size small, but as someone on the short side (5' 2"), this sweater was very long, approaching what I'd call a tunic length and I roll up the sleeves when I wear it. I wouldn't call it baggy though. It still has a nice general fit. I actually generally like longer tops, but I think for my next sweater I'll be getting an XS. Usually XS clothing is too small for me and I typically purchase S or M sizes, but I'm pretty confident an XS will serve me well for next time.

Thanks Oliver Charles for helping me build a high-quality, low-impact, repeatable wardrobe while taking care of people and the planet! Now the challenge will be to decide which sweater to order next!

Size Ordered: S | Typical Size: S | Fit: Ran Slightly Large
Height: 5’2 | Weight: 142 lb

Over the past year I have been transitioning from synthetics to natural materials. I was a little concerned that the sweater would be scratchy, I wear a lot of merino but some 100% wool sweaters I have tried have been a bit rough and I had not tried yak fur. To my surprise the fabric was incredibly soft. Not scratchy at all, even kind of silky feeling. I was concerned about the size, I thought the sweater would be smaller based on the garment size on the website. I ordered an XXL but could have easily ordered an XL. The sweater did relax and became looser after the 7 days but I find the sweater to be incredibly comfortable, soft, cozy, and like a warm hug and I like the oversize feel and look. With my next sweater I will go with a smaller size. I am glad that I went with the All Season Marled Crew, I know that I will have it forever and it will be my go to, need a hug, cozy, squishy sweater.

Size Ordered: XXL | Typical Size: XL | Fit: Ran Large
Height: 5’7 | Weight: 195 lb | Bust: 43"

I had been eyeing OC sweaters for some time. I adore sweaters but I had to psych myself up to the expenditure. After purchasing some cashmere sweaters at a very affordable price but not being satisfied with the pilling and care instructions…I figured one sweater that I could really live in would be better than 2.5 that I hated caring for (and therefore did not wear). I am also drawn to the environmental aspect of OCs process. Make sweaters on demand and using more environmentally friendly materials.

I was also concerned about the fit. Unisex sizing is typically very difficult but after emailing I landed on a size small. It’s perfect! I love raglan sleeves, and the feel of the fabric is somehow both cozy and soft but also nicely knitted…tight and smooth in a delightful way. I had read several reviews saying that sometimes it felt like they were wearing nothing. I was super skeptical of this claim…but then it happens to me! I was out in the woods…doing camping things. And I ended up just feeling perfectly comfortable in a way that was honestly new for me! I camped and cooked. Lived and ate in this sweater. The odor profile remains stunningly minimal. The shape holding up. The pilling has been also extremely minimal.

I’m going to be getting rid of (donating) most of my sweater drawer. Life is too short for a bunch of items that seem great at first but don’t last well for a season. This sweater is for anyone who loves sweaters but who doesn’t want the sweater to be difficult to maintain. This sweater was my only warm layer when I went camping and it felt risky taking only one warm layer but it performed admirably. This sweater would also be amazing for frequent travelers or anyone looking to simplify their wardrobe.

Size Ordered: M | Typical Size: M | Fit: Perfect
Height: 5’2 | Weight: 140 lb | Bust: 36"

I love my sweater! It's beautiful and I think it's super fun that it's truly one-of-a-kind. I must admit--I was skeptical about wearing a legit sweater in hot weather. It got up to 85 degrees on two of my seven days. But I don't know why I was assuming the sweater would be too hot. I wear merino dresses year-round. So why not a merino (and khullu) sweater? Am a believer now! I was surprised by two things: 1) that the sweater could temperature regulate so well even in heat, and 2) that washing it with jeans wouldn't ruin it. That trick worked and after just one wash, there was noticeably less pilling. I generally like to keep covered. If I wear a shorter skirt, I wear a more conservative top. If I wear a lower-cut top, I generally cover my legs. It's just my preference. So staying cool in the summer can be a challenge in multiple ways. But it's nice to know that I can reach for my sweater and still be comfortable. I'll be singing OC's praises to all I know in the natural fibers communities I'm in online as well as my friends and family. :)

Size Ordered: S | Typical Size: S | Fit: Perfect
Height: 5’10 | Weight: 140 lb | Bust: 35.5"

The color of this sweater is outstanding! A great blue that can be neutral like your favorite pair of jeans . The grey trim grounds it and ties the whole thing together. I went for an oversize fit . And this marled sweater seems to run larger than the solid all season crew. For science, I am about 5'9" 175# and this is a size large. I wear a lot of leggings and joggers so the fit is awesome and will be a great way to "dress up" instead of wearing big tees and sweatshirts. I'm good with it over a dress as well...easy, comfortable, basic.

Soft! I don't know how but by some magic, this marled all season sweater is softer than the solid color all season crew. Almost on par with the winter cardigan. To be honest, I'm bummed the weather is getting warmer because I want to wear this ALL THE TIME. Familiar with hygge? This sweater is it! 70⁰ sitting in AC will be comfortable....I'm wearing it now. 70⁰ and walking the doggie in it is admittedly a bit warm for me. In cooler temps, there is plenty of room (even in a regular fit) to layer under. Also, the fit is trim enough to layer a vest or jacket over it. Did that earlier in the week.

The softness does leave a bit of the expected pilling. When I washed the sweater with denim after 4 days wearing it (as recommended on the Oliver Charles website, easy to look it up!), a fair amount of large pills came off. Do I still have pilling? Sure, some; I expected that. And it has slowed down considerably! I've traveled with an all season Oliver Charles crew neck as my only warm layer and that makes packing light so much easier! This sweater will be a travel staple. I truly like to pack light. I love how this sweater doesn't hold odor so repeat wearing is easy peasy! And if it needs a wash, I threw it in the washer and just hung it to dry overnight. In the dry Colorado air, it dried in a couple hours...for real!!

Finally (I'll stop after this, honest!), I have been doing my best to support companies with values I align with. For clothing that means slow fashion, sustainable practices, reduced waste, pieces that fit into a capsule wardrobe, superior quality. Oliver Charles checks all the boxes. And they are so kind, fun, and engaged with customers! Check out the New Yak Times if you haven't yet!

Size Ordered: L | Typical Size: M | Fit: Perfect
Height: 5’9 | Weight: 175 lb | Bust: 38"

I’ve worn this sweater every day for a week, and I kept it on all day - I don’t like to pick clothes the first time, I really don’t like changing in the middle of the day. I’ve seen clients, had doctor appointments, relaxed, cooked, sat by a fire, exercised, walked, gardened a LOT in temperatures ranging from mid 30s to low 70s. This sweater is a workhorse! And wearing it day after day - it’s shocking that it doesn’t smell! The marled look gives it unique coloring that I love. Since moving toward more natural fibers, having something that isn’t a solid color is a treat! If you watched my unboxing video, you’ll know I was surprised by the color. It’s a bit darker than expected, but surprised is just surprised - I love the color! And I love that it’s the only one that looks just like this.

It did pill, of course, which should not deter anyone, because wool often pills at the beginning. But, it can be cleaned off once and never worry about it again. Oliver Charles recommends washing it after day 4 with a pair of zipped jeans, and that sort of a magic trick. I don’t know why it works. It does relax more than my solid all season, my winter yak, or my summer scoop. So, size down, and give it some days to relax, especially if you are on the border of two sizes or if you like a more fitted look. Unfortunately, most Minnesotans can’t take wearing a long sleeve wool sweater in the 70s (and I’m one of them), so I will likely trade this out for my summer scoop until fall, or for a cool evening - but if you are on the fence about this one - pull the trigger. You won’t regret it.

Size Ordered: S | Typical Size: M | Fit: Ran Large
Height: 5’5 | Weight: 150 lb | Bust: 38"

Beautiful and a perfect fit. Will go with everything I wear, jeans, slacks, skirts.

Size Ordered: L | Typical Size: L | Fit: Perfect