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.
Everything starts to slow down this time of the year. The days are cooler and the darkness settles over the land earlier each evening. The chill in the air makes it harder to get up in the mornings. Which makes hitting the snooze button and staying cozy in my bed tempting.
But each morning, I dutifully rise and begin preparing to face the cold and chilly outside. After all, I have horses to feed and stalls to muck before I head out to work. There is one key to make sure that I stay warm. And that … is by choosing appropriate layers.
If I’m planning on spending any significant amount of time outside, layering up is essential. Since I tend to be cold often (and by that, I mean pretty much all of the time), I am careful to select performance apparel that will keep me warm and comfortable.
Staying warm when I’m active and spending time outdoors requires more than just pulling on a coat. Planning outfits starts with the oh-so-important base and mid layers. Because whether I’m taking care of barn chores or going for a long hack, I want to be comfortable.
Last year, one of the go to pieces of my cold weather wardrobe was the First Crush Cowl from Noble Outfitters. One of the things that I truly love about the piece is that it is quite versatile. While I wear it for barn chores and riding, I also wear it to go out or cuddle up on the couch.
That amount of versatility is why I’m really excited to be wearing the brand new Element Cowl. This season, the Elements Cowl is brand new from Noble Outfitters. It does (very) sadly replace my beloved First Crush Cowl. But there are a lot of terrific upgrades to this cowl!
At first glance, the Elements Cowl looks super cozy. It features a plush French terry fabric, which feels super smooth and slightly stretchy. The cowl neck itself is designed to bunch up around the neck for a stylish look with a cozy feel.
And the bold colors of the Elements Cowl look simply fabulous. All three colors of Deep Sea Coral, Purple, and Twilight Blue, are available in a Heather look. Which means that the hues have a lovely brushed appearance that makes them anything but dull.
I’m also smitten with all of the fashion forward details that give the Elements Cowl an oh so stylish look. The elastic cuffs create a fashionable ruched looked, and they include thumbholes to keep sleeves in place.
I also like that the side seams are rolled forward, in order to create a flattering fit. And since fit is so important to me, I do enjoy the combination of the semi fitted silhouette, the fitted raglan sleeves, and the dropped back hem for additional coverage.
But the Elements Cowl offers more than a stylish exterior … it is designed for the performance minded as well. One of my favorite technologies found in Noble Outfitters apparel (including the Elements Cow) is the Opti Dry Technology that helps to wick away moisture.
I’ve been quite obsessed with the Elements Cowl lately, because this is a piece that is extremely versatile. The very day that mine arrived, I pulled it on to wear out for a casual dinner with my boyfriend — I was snuggly warm and looked terrific!
And yet over the weekend, I pulled it on over a base layer to go out riding. I went for a long hack out in fox hunting country, and was able to enjoy the brilliant fall foliage. The best part? I stayed warm enough, without getting sweaty or gross (thank you Opti Dry!).
Can you even stand for any more versatility? Well, I can! The following week, I even worn my Elements Cowl into the office. It gives a crisp and stylish casual appearance, which allows me to stay warm, comfortable and still professional at the same time.
If the style, versatility and performance features of the Elements Cowl aren’t enough, I’ve got two final words to say. Machine. Washable. Which means I’m happy, because the Cowl is low maintenance like I am, so I can toss it in the wash and it will still look grand.
The Elements Cowl is available from Noble Outfitters in three fabulous heather colors, including Deep Sea Coral, Purple, and my personal favorite, Twilight Blue. It is available in size XS through 2XL, and retails for $54.95. You can find it here.
Go Comfort, Style AND Function. Go Noble Outfitters. Go Eventing.