Fashionably Warm

It's no secret that I am a big fan of this brand. JC reviewed a fleece jacket for Polarn O. Pyret back in April, just before the Baby Show and he is still wearing it! When we were asked to review their winter thermals I was delighted. 

The Upside

I would say these are best for wearing under a snowsuit or as underwear in winter. They are made of soft merino wool and they cleverly retain body heat but wick away moisture from the skin so that your little one remains warm and dry. The material washes really well and barely needs an iron (my favourite selling point!)

JC is really into ice hockey at the moment so to road test them we went to the ice rink. He was really happy wearing them and seemed to find them comfortable. They weren't bulky at all so fitted easily under his jeans and jumper. I checked him a few times by feeling his skin and he was toasty warm but there was no sweating at all. They would be great for wearing under a sports kit. The top hangs a little bit longer at the back to keep the lower back warm and the extra soft seams means no chaffing. It's the thoughtfulness in the design of these clothes which make me love the brand so much. 

The downside 

Well, the price. They retail at £25 each for the top and the trousers which I think is pricey unless your little one is involved in winter sports or maybe if you were going on a skiing holiday you would be prepared to pay more. I know that if you're involved in any outdoor kindergartens, they often required you to buy wool undergarments to keep the kiddies warm in winter.  They are very stretchy are are sized age 2 -4 years so they would last you a few years. So I guess the price is only a downside if your little one wouldn't have a use for them. 

Overall

To be honest, you get what you pay for and the quality of the product is evident. I couldn't afford to kit him out in Polarn O. Pyret all year but since reviewing the product in April, I have bought him another fleece in the next size up and a winter jacket. I bought them knowing that I could get them cheaper elsewhere but I was confident that I was getting a really good quality product that would last a long time. I love the philosophy behind this brand because their focus is on designing and manufacturing clothes that children can play in. They are comfortable, durable and the classic look is timeless. I also love that they are a company who consider the social and environmental impact of their business.  

Clothes Built For Play

We are heading off to the Scottish Baby and Toddler Show this weekend. If you live in Scotland and you and have a baby or toddler, I would highly recommend that you go along this weekend (Thursday - Sunday at the SECC). I go every year as I like to see the latest gadgets and quirky baby products. I have picked up quite a few bargains and also few life saving products like JC's Taggie Comforter.

I was invited along to a Blogger's Breakfast with some other Glasgow based mummy bloggers to get a first look at some of the exciting products featuring at the show this year. The product that JC and I were given to review was a lovely fleece jacket by Polarn O. Pyret.

To be honest I hadn't heard of this company but when I went to browse their website I did recognise their signature stripy look of their classic outfits. The ethos of the company is to design and manufacture clothing that children can play in, that is comfortable and that lasts. Here is a slideshow of JC wearing his jacket

I was given the fleece jacket to review but this is not a sponsored post and all opinions are my own.

Polarn O. Pyret is a Swedish company with an environmental conscience. They have an impressive range of clothing made from organic materials.

So what did I make of the jacket?

It's doesn't actually matter what I think. JC loved it. He wouldn't take it off. He is an adventurous boy who loves the outdoors so this type of clothing suits him perfectly. He is always running around at 100 mph and needs a jacket that isn't going to restrict his movement or make him overheat. Equally though, he needs a layer of protection from the wind and rain which, in Scotland, is inevitable.

The Plus Points 

• windproof and water resistant
• breathable but warm
• lint free - washes beautifully and apparently it won't 'bobble' so it can be reworn or passed on and still looks great!
• Reflective Strips on the front and back - useful in winter when it is quite often dark during the day
• Chin protector - it can be zipped right up without causing irritation
• Thumb holes on the cuffs - these are great for holding the arms in place if slipping a coat on over the top or to keep little hands warm on a breezy day. They can also be rolled back easily if you find they are too long. 
• Poppers - there are little poppers inside the zip lining which allows the fleece to be attached to one of the Polarn O. Pyret waterproof jackets. I think this is a great idea as you don't then need to try and squeeze a jacket over a thick jumper on a really cold day. 
• Ease of movement - I liked that JC seemed really comfortable in it and he could still run around and climb over things wearing it. 
• Easy to wash - It washes on a 40c wash and can be tumble dried. 

The Downside

• The Price - it retails at £39 which I think is a little pricey for most people. 

Overall I loved this jacket, JC loved this jacket and a few random people asked me where I bought it when he was wearing it out and about. I love the brand and what it stands for and I will definitely buy from them in the future. I think that £39 is a little expensive for a fleece jacket but I think the quality of the product speaks for itself. It would be worth spending a little more (especially when they are older and don't fly through the sizes quite so quickly) for something that is better quality and can be passed on to other siblings.