Welcome to EN’s Product Review series! Who doesn’t love shopping, especially when the object of your search is new gear for yourself or your horse? As an enthusiast of all products equine, I LOVE trying out new gear. Please join me as I narrate my personal journey of trying out all of the products featured. While I will make no recommendations, I hope you have fun reading about my many adventures of trying new products, and that hearing about my personal experiences helps you on your own quest for new gear. Go Shopping.
The Force Quarter Zip also featured a dropped back hem, along with a small Carhartt logo square on the front, near the bottom hem - Photo by Lorraine Peachey
I like to think of myself as being a low-maintenance kind of gal – I tend to like the simple things in life, and try not to let anything get to me. By not sweating the small stuff and looking for the little things that make me happy, I find that there is always something that can make every day a good day. Because there is always some good to be found.
Being as busy as I am, it is easy to get a little frazzled sometimes. Which is why I try to keep things simple – I enjoy getting up every morning to get my barn chores done, and then come back inside to get ready for the day. Instead of being overly fussy with my outfit, I usually just grab a comfy sweater and pants to toss on with some boots.
And the next order of business is to slide on into the bathroom and spend just a few minutes in front of the mirror. Grabbing a brush, I typically favor just pulling my hair up in an easy-to-manage pony. If I want to get really wild and crazy on a particular day, I might even grab a hair tie in a funky color – there is a whole pack in my vanity, which allows me to go all out with color coordination. Just saying.
The zipper is also lined on either side with reflective accenting – which looks great – Photo by Lorraine Peachey
I don’t usually have time to go full out and put on a bunch of makeup – so I stick to the essentials. A little moisturizer. Then a little powder. Add a little bronzer. Swipe on some eye color. And dash on a little gloss. Ok…maybe more than the basics, but I still feel like it’s (relatively) low maintenance in the scale of things.
That’s about the sum of it though – give me a pair of jeans, a comfy sweater (or t shirt when the weather warms up a bit), and I’m a happy girl. Throw a pair of boots or shoes my way that are kind to me feet (well, don’t THROW them at me). And give me a whole day where I can be outside and enjoy the day. Barn work. Riding. I’ll take it all.
And after a wonderful day of being out in the fresh air, working and enjoying the simple beauty of the outdoors, I’m ready to kick back and take it easy. At that point, just give me a cheeseburger and some fries, or some pizza to munch on – I don’t need anything fancy. Just the pizza is perfectly grand for me….well, maybe a soda too, if it’s not asking too much.
I also find that I like that the sleeves of the Force Quarter Zip are long enough for even my arms – Photo by Lorraine Peachey
A simple, low maintenance life is made easier with clothes that are much the same…low maintenance. Clothes that are first and foremost comfortable – but also look nice. They should also be tough enough to handle the rigors of everyday life. If it’s a day when I’m working hard, my clothes should be able to keep up with me.
That is why I (really) looked forward to trying the Carhartt Womens Force Quarter Zip Performance Shirt. Because when I learned about the many features of this particular shirt, it sounded like it would take on the role of being a workhorse piece within my wardrobe. And I always need clothes that can keep up with my lifestyle.
First and foremost, one of the things that is inevitable when working around the farm is sweat. Except I don’t like to talk about it – in fact, I’d deny actually sweating at all if you asked me. Instead, I claim to ‘glisten’–it sounds so much more ladylike, doesn’t it? When ‘glistening’ happens, it doesn’t leave me feeling fresh or comfortable while I’m working.
Carhartt Force logo on the back of the shirt, between the shoulders – Photo by Lorraine Peachey
The Force Quarter Zip is designed with FastDry technology – which means that the fabric helps to wick away moisture, and help keep you more comfortable…whether working or riding. Which is a good thing in my book. The shirt also boasts the ability to fight odors – and considering that they are usually only a step behind ‘glistening’.
Another terrific feature that the Force Quarter Zip boasts, is that the fabric is protected by Stain Breaker technology. The Stain Breaker technology actually helps the fabric to release stains. During a normal day, I’m always getting this or that on my shirt – so I’m very happy at the prospect of a stain that easily comes out of my shirt. Because I’m bound to have them happen at some point.
The Force Quarter Zip also has…you guessed it, a quarter zip mock neck. The zipper is also lined on either side with reflective accenting – which looks great! The shirt also featured a dropped back hem, along with a small Carhartt logo square on the front, near the bottom hem.
The Force Quarter Zip is designed with FastDry technology – which means that the fabric helps to wick away moisture, and help keep you more comfortable – Photo by Lorraine Peachey
I’ve found the Force Quarter Zip to be terrific for working in and riding in. It is a nice weight to wear by itself on warmer days, or I layer a vest or jacket over it on cooler days. The fabric really does do a nice job at pulling away moisture and drying quickly, which helps me to feel more comfortable.
I also even had the opportunity to test out the Stain Breaker technology – with a spritzing of spaghetti sauce, no less! After working outside, I went out to grab some dinner with the rest of my family. And, of course I thought it would be a fantastic idea to order pasta while wearing a light purple colored shirt.
I’ve found the Force Quarter Zip to be terrific for working in and riding in – Photo by Lorraine Peachey
While my gut reaction was one of dread when I spritzed sauce on the Force Quarter Zip, I really didn’t have to worry. For after tossing the shirt in the wash, it came out as good as new. And I think that pretty much fits the bill for a shirt that is low maintenance and is easy-to-care for. I even find that I like at the sleeves of the Force Quarter Zip are long enough for even my arms!
The women’s Carhartt Force Performance Quarter Zip shirt is available in a variety of colors, including Black, Spearmint Heather, Magenta Heather, and Geranium Coral Heather. And it has a retail price of $37.99, and you can find it here.
Go Low-Maintenance Tops. Go Carhartt. Go Eventing.
