Jerseys - men vs wmsn?...how do you keep them down?

[CorsairMac]

Ok Ladies - its me again!...since ya'll are so helpful and I love the answers I get/read - got another for ya! I'm used to wearing mens jerseys - it used to be my only choice - but I have 2 newer ones and they creep up. If I'm not tugging them down every once in awhile they end up twisted and wrapped around my waist. Is there anything I can do to prevent that?...putting stuff in the pockets doesn't help....the stuff just gets wrapped too. Are the womens jerseys better? Once again - anything and all answers are welcome!

[kimba]

Hi!

Here's my take on the men's/woman's jersey fir.

I've never been able to were the women's teeshirts, let alone the jerseys.
My shape- I have huge shoulders...and my weight- I still have a big midriff bulge - the shirts just don't fit right.With the midriff issue they are just too tight.
So I wear men's tee shirts - jerseys.
Some of the men's stuff I've tried - in the correct size rides up- and is kinda small in the hip region. So I just went to the next bigger size.or the size after that...I pull the jersey way down over my hips- which seems to anchor it sort of.
My bigger shoulders and bigger- um...upper chest! : )
fill most of the upper part of the shirt- so I'm okay.
Now- they ride up a bit only occasionally- but certainly not as bad as before with the smaller short.Before they rode right up over my waist. I was appalled!Fortunately I was wearing a jacket! The one thing I'm finding is- whatever your regular size is- get a size or two bigger in cycling jersey's cause they are certainly NOT generous!
Especially if you are a full figured woman!

Kimba

[CorsairMac]

and lets hear it for us full-figured women!....hear hear on the full chested - and in my case - full hipped woman!...I always say "bear many children, pull plow all day on these hips!".......I'm gonna have to try up a size. I had read the womens jerseys had minimal or no elastic in the hems...wondered if that would help. I also thought about pulling the elastic Out of the mens jersey hems....but then if that made it worse I was in DEEP trouble! ROFL...anyway..tnx for the advice

[slinkedog]

I have an hour-glass figure, too. Jerseys with no elastic at the bottom are the best!! Descente and Castelli both make women specific jerseys without elastic, but you have to really read the fine print to see if they have it or not. Best bet is go to LBS and look. I think the Castelli simple Donna doesn't have elastic, and my husband has some cool-weather Descente ones that don't have any.

[CorsairMac]

I'm wondering.....could I just pull the elastic out??....does anyone know if that makes it worse or no?

[coolbeansbikes]

I prefer jerseys without the elastic hems as well.

I have one men's jersey that I bought because I *needed* a red jersey and it was the only one I could find at the time.

I did not notice when I bought it that it had elastic and it's the one thing I hate about it!

rah rah too on "full-figured" --> I'm often the only one in the group ....

[kimba]

y'know- the best jersey I've found so far- is not really a jersey at all.
It's a cycling shirt made by Zoic- it looks like a tee shirt- but it's a woven material,like a waffle weave with a coolmax liner type inside. Well- it's not really a liner- it's like it's double woven.
Anyway- it's cool to wear- VERY comfy-wicks sweat- keeps me drier for sure- fits exactly like a teeshirt which is good for the full figured thing - doesn't ride up...has flat seams so that my hydration pack straps don't irritate me-
but it doesn't have back pockets.
Which I suppose is okay if I'm wearing my hydration pack- but not okay if I'm just out on a ride...
in other words not quite the roadie's choice...but good for mountain biking. Which is what it was made for.
But I want pocketssses, my prrrrecioussssssssss!!!

Kimba
unfortunately I've only got them in dark colours- not great on super hot days.

but- they're definitely my favourites.

[MightyMitre]

I also get annoyed with jersey's riding up round my waist, but size wise I'm not very big.

I've tried borrowing a jersey from my boyfriend and the extra length did help, but I then found it was way too big on the top half and flapped around like a sail. I guess it's going to have to be some trial and error to see which brands fit the best.

[bentforlife]

Kimba,

Where did you get the Zoic shirts? Do you know of a website that carries them? Sounds like something I would like to try.

Donna :cool:

[CorsairMac]

ok - thought I'd give everyone an update - I tried to pull the elastic out - its stitched into the bottom seam. By the time I was done - I had pretty much ruined the bottom hem of the jersey so I just cut it off - right below the flat felled seaming and gee guess what??......in a 6 mile ride this morning I only tugged twice and it never really rode up to my waist. Now - while I don't feel this is the solution - for someone out there with a jersey they bought coz it was "cool" but now hate coz it rides up - it does offer an alternative. And I agree with you kimba - I can't stand not having pockets! I even got all "princess pissy" when I saw the womens jersey my LBS carried only had 2 pockets and shorter zippers than the mens. Yet another reason I bought the mens jersey! And thanks slinkedog - I'm going to look into the Descente and Castelli (sp) jerseys and see what I can find. I"ve also been sizing the womens and Holy Toledo - do they think we're all super models??...most of the womens XL was Just my chest size.....*shakes head*...sticking with the mens jerseys for now!

[maryellen]

yeah, you're right, it doesn't seem possible to "pull the elastic out." The manufacturers use elasticized thread to stitch the bottom hem.

Even though I have broad shoulders, long arms, and a flattish chest, I generally avoid men's jerseys. The length and cut does not work for me. Unless, of course, I love the design! I am capable of compromise.

[Dogmama]

When I started cycling (back in the stone ages, right after the invention of the wheel) - we could only get men's jerseys. So, I got over being picky right away.

Howevah....now that I'm SPOILED - I agree. I want a long zipper and three pockets - just like the grown ups! My Pearl's have a nice long zipper - and a nice big price tag.

I'm about to say that four letter "F" word -

It is not FAIR!

[kimba]

Originally posted by bentforlife
Kimba,

Where did you get the Zoic shirts? Do you know of a website that carries them? Sounds like something I would like to try.

Donna :cool:

I got them ( hangs head sheepishly) on Ebay-
and they only cost me like 7.99 each.

try looking up Zoic Libertee shirts on Ebay or I can send you the link.

Kimba

[spazzdog]

I can see that there is a need for a new thread somewhere on TE.

EBay Anonymous; "Hi. My name is ______ and I'm an EBay addict."

The coffee, the ashtrays, the donuts would have to be delivered to individual houses (as this group meets online) and participants would have to install special software that wounldn't allow the running of a second browser window with a destination of EBay.

:D



P.S. This is meant in jest. I mean no offense to 12 step programs.

[kimba]

You know- I am so torn.
I buy online when I can- and I do buy stuff from my LBS- but I have to tell you- I just couldn't afford this sport if it wasn't for Ebay!

I want to get my hubby a new road bike for Xmas- went to the LBS today- great folks- but I looked at the prices...and- I'm gonna end up making it from scratch again. I know- it'll take some time but I can be really creative with it and make something not seen before - sorta like Lance's new OCC chopper.
I've got a vision-
yellow ( my hubby's favourite colour) with black components and trim- LiveStrong on the downtube...
aluminum frame, carbon forks, Shimano 105 or Ultegra components, selle italia custom embroidered saddle...
it'll look great!
Plus I want to get him the full kit- jersey, shorts,shoes, clipless pedals.
I can get some stuff from my LBS- but the rest I have to get from Ebay.

Kimba

[cyclingnewbie]

Getting back to this jersey question, I am Plus size and have a heck of a time finding cycling clothes. The men's stuff is cut smaller in the hips (which is usually how a man is shaped and not a woman), and that doesn't work. Even some of the women's plus sizes are too large in the shoulders to get it to fit around the bust and hips. My best shirt is a man's t-shirt which I stretch out in the body when it is wet. That doesn't usually ride up either. But it is plain cotton, so it gets wet, doesn't wick, doesn't have pockets. And I agree with CorsairMac, many manufacturer's XL is still pretty danged small for many of us. The Garneau 3X chest is only a 42. That is not my definition of a 3X! I have a Mt. Borah jersey that fits great in the bust/hips and is a grat length, but is way too big in the shoulders. And, the fabric is very lightweight, but it's slippery and rides up the slippery fabric of my shorts. It's all very frustrating!!

[kimba]

Oh I hear ya!

Seriously- the Zoic flat seamed "tee" style shirts are awesome for those of us that are a little more- um....
"dairy"....

If you want comfort you can't go wrong- these things wick the sweat and help keep you drier and cooler - I love them. Hey- I'd even pay full price for em- but does anybody sell them up here in the great white north?
Nope-
Also- their sizing is more reasonable - they don't have the pulled in waist- so they hang better on larger hips- I can wear an XL comfortably - I think I even have one that's an L -
other jerseys I need an XXL-
the biggest drawback is they don't have 3 pockets -
( I sent one to a smaller friend of mine though- in her size-she is quite petite and the thing just hung on her- she hated it...so it's definitely a "plus" for us "plus" sized sistahs...)

If you are carrying a camel back - who cares?
Sounds like you're wearing tees anyway - so why not try a technical tee?

Kimba
Zoic *****

[Twice Daily]

If you're looking for inexpensive jerseys, try Nashbar's returned items section, here's the link: http://www.nashbar.com/store_custom.cfm?storetype=2

[kimba]

Hey! Great link!

Thanks!

Kimba

[cyclingnewbie]

Thanks everyone for the great advice and info. I'll keep looking for a better cycling shirt and not give up.

[SadieKate]

I like these brands because they recognize that women have curves: Shebeest, Terry, Fox, Zoic. Sugoi sometimes. Voler's women's cut is pretty good.

If you just have to have a jersey with an elastic hem, have the elastic removed by shortening and re-hemming the jersey (by a professional or someone with professional skills and equipment -- which is not moi). I have found that a lot of jerseys with elastic are too long anyway (part of the whole problem) so shorter is better. Men's jerseys can end up looking very chic and tailored by doing this. Removing elastic without shortening will pretty much ruin the jersey due to the way it is sewn in. I have paid between $10-$15 for hemming which seems expensive, but is worth the professional result. I just factor it into the cost of the jersey -- therefore it better be on sale and a really, really cool jersey.

Beware the comments about pulling the jersey down over your bottom to keep it down -- try getting on your saddle on a technical spot on the trail one time with a too long jersey. It can get down right dangerous getting tangled up.

The other thing I hate is all the raglan-sleeves. Don't they realize that anyone with a large bust shouldn't go anywhere near raglan sleeves? I think bicycle jersey designers be required to have a little garment design training. It's a joke what they think we should wear.

[Irulan]

Originally posted by SadieKate


If you just have to have a jersey with an elastic hem, have the elastic removed by shortening and re-hemming the jersey (by a professional or someone with professional skills and equipment -- which is not moi). I have found that a lot of jerseys with elastic are too long anyway (part of the whole problem) so shorter is better. Men's jerseys can end up looking very chic and tailored by doing this. Removing elastic without shortening will pretty much ruin the jersey due to the way it is sewn in. I have paid between $10-$15 for hemming which seems expensive, but is worth the professional result. I just factor it into the cost of the jersey -- therefore it better be on sale and a really, really cool jersey.

As a sewing professional I will add my 2¢. First, if you are somewhat handy with a sewing machine, you can do this yourself. Just cut the jersey off to the length you want +1/2" and add some 1/2" elastic with a zig zag or a serger and topstitch. This assuming that you want the jersey quite a bit shorter. If you choose to remove the elastic and then shorten it, that is a lot more work as you have to pick out the topstitching and all the serging that holds the elastic to the jersey.

If you only paid $15 to get a jersey hemmed, you got a bargain.
They know the materials, and the techniques, plus they have special machines, and supplies. And skills and training. You yourself said "professional results". Consider a good seamstress or alterationist to be a trained professional that deserves to earn a decent wage, and not a minimum wage worker. After all, if you knew how to do it, you wouldn't have to pay someone else, right?

Irulan

[SadieKate]

The $15 bucks is probably because I don't have elastic added. That's the problem to begin with. I have it cut off, the edge turned up, serged, and a double topstitch put on. And, not all sewing machines (or people) treat lycra nicely. If you don't know how to sew stretch materials, don't use your expensive jersey as a learning project. Unlike woven fabrics, it isn't happy with repeat efforts.

The cost is worth not having your jersey an inch above your belly button while your shorts are an inch below -- not unless this is some new biker's tan we're going for.

[Pedal Wench]

I'll share two recent jersey finds. My BF gave me a long-sleeved Shebeest jersey that I just got to wear for the first time. It's wonderful - no elastic, and it actually has small slits up the side - about 4 inches long, so it doesn't bunch up or bind at all.

I also just bought the Trashy Cat black and leopard jersey from Team Estrogen. Small company, brilliant design feature. In addition to the usual pockets on the back, there's a small zippered pocket that's perfect for keys and id - the things I always worry about fallling out of my pockets.

Some folks just get it right.

[cyclingnewbie]

I just bought the Sport Hill Invasion Top Plus from TE and it arrived yesterday. What a great fit! It's the perfect length, it is shaped the same way I am, the sleeves are nice and long. I'm not that big of a back pocket person, so it doesn't bother me that it doesn't have any back pockets. I can't wait to get out on my bike and see how it does "in action". I'm thinkin' that I will definitely be buying some summer weight Sport Hill jerseys in the spring.

[maryellen]

Some REI brand jerseys also have the same extra mini-zippered pocket. Perfect for id, $$, key.