Men's Bike Shirts - Sizing issue

[Idealmuse]

Hi everyone -

Probably not the smartest idea to buy cycle clothing based on looks alone but there is a bike jersey that I desperately want and only comes in Mens sizes.

It's hard to guess which size I need to order though since the Men's sizes don't account for womens hips.

I fit in both the L and XL measurements. Is it better to get the larger size and have it be a bit baggy in the chest, or smaller size and potentially be snug around the hips?

Have you bought mens cycle clothing? Do you generally go up or down a size?

I should also mention that I have been losing weight so should I just go with the smaller size?

[VeloVT]

First off, I don't own any men's bike clothing. So take my advice with that in mind.

Generally speaking though, if I were in between sizes, I'd probably be likely to order the smaller size on top and the same letter size on bottom, assuming the men's waist measurement is somewhere comfortably between my waist measurement and my hip measurement. Granted, I have a flat chest and wide hips :D.

However, for reference, I usually wear size small in women's and my boyfriend usually wears size small in men's. We can generally switch bottoms, even though our bottom halves are proportioned quite differently (I have small waist, big hips, curvy rear and he has typical enviably tiny male rear and hips the same size as his waist). In fact we both have one or two pairs of the same model (different genders) of PI short, and we've accidently worn each other's pair without noticing until taking them off. However there's no way he could squeeze into my jerseys, and his are baggy on me. I have average to broad shoulders for a woman my size, but they are quite narrow compared to an average man my height (5'6").

For jerseys, I would worry more about the bust measurement than the hip measurement.

Hope this helps... good luck!!!

[lauraelmore1033]

I tend to buy mens jerseys because I am rather apple shaped and womens jerseys just don't take that into account--even in plus sizes. This means I have to put up with arms that are too long in long sleeve styles. On the plus side, mens jerseys have a longer belly covering length. I don't know if any of these issues pertain to you, but it works out better for me to go to a bigger in mens.

another thing to consider is if the jerseys are club cut or racing cut. Club is more generous and racing cut assumes you have a Tour de France type body.

[kermit]

I normally wear a womens large, because I am long waisted. They are usually a little big but cover to my waist. I tried an experiment and just ordered two mens small jerseys from Nashbar. I'll let you know. As long as the sizing is compatable, I don't see the harm. Nothing is an exact science and sometimes the mens designs are cooler.

[Andrea]

A women's medium fits me fine & I wear a men's small jersey, which actually fits me just as well because I am large through the chest/shoulders and smaller in the waist. I like the fit of men's shorts better than women's because they tend to be longer, but the usual chamois in them rubs me on the seam where they normally have an extra patch of front padding. I wear the same size in men's shorts as I do in women's.

[Cindyloo]

Also take into account whether the jersey has elastic in the bottom. With elastic I go for the bigger size because if it is at all tight, the elastic rides up the back when riding :rolleyes:. I typically wear an XL in womens and a L in mens jerseys.

[bmccasland]

My club jersey only comes in men's sizes, and the bottom rides up while I ride. It isn't stretched out of shape while I'm still, and pull the bottom down, but it creeps when I ride. My solution was to cut the elastic out and rehem. So.... if the jersey isn't too snug about the hips, you might try removing the elastic, or buy a size up. Kind of depends on how you accept the rest of the fit. All this makes me a devotee of women's cut jerseys. :p

[tc1]

I am tall and fat, and have been buying mens sizes since I was tall and skinny. What you might not realize about how women are ripped off when buying clothes is that compared to men's clothes, women's are shorter and smaller. Rumor has it that is for fit, but since I have had trouble with fit since I was a bony teenager I'm not buying it.

So in your position, I would find out the body and sleeve length of each size, and make my decision from there. Oh yeah, and for busty women, measure yourself around the largest part of your bust with a bra on, and consider that measurement. Hope this helps.

[aicabsolut]

I only buy men's, especially jerseys. Women's clothes are too short, too curvy (especially when the hips of the garment is nowhere near my hips), and I cannot fit my shoulders into them to save my life--think Chris Farley's fat man in a little coat--I keep thinking I'm going to split the thing in the back, no matter how huge the jersey may be elsewhere.

I wear men's XS or S typically, race cut only (Yes I have hips, but I do not have a gut). Even though our sizes are different, the rule I go by is to look at the size chart and when in doubt order down a size. I'd look at chest and waist measurements and not worry about height or weight that may be on the chart. If you don't have big shoulders like me, going a little smaller to accommodate your waist won't be that bad for your bust. Plus, race cut jerseys in particular are still pretty little in the arms and shoulders while roomy enough for broader chests on men...meaning that with your smaller ribcage, there's room left over for your boobs.

I also prefer men's bib shorts 1) because it's easy to find bibs, 2) because women's waists are too high and inseams too short, 3) some women's shorts can be too big in the butt and hips and too wide in the chamois making for an ill-fitting chamois that gets caught on the nose of my saddle when mounting/dismounting and other fun stuff, and 4) men's shorts just fit me. The only challenge is finding ones small enough, particularly in a store so I can try it on.

[PinkBike]

i prefer men's jerseys because they're longer and have THREE REAL POCKETS in the back. i think i would go down a size if i was in-between sizes. BTW full zip jerseys are The Bomb but you'll never find them in women's jerseys

[SandyLS]

I've never had a full zip or a wool jersey. I'm looking forward to giving it a try.
http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/ProductDetail.php?GID=897&Outlet=1&VID=10051&Product=La-Luna-Full-Zip-Jersey

[Idealmuse]

Thanks for the help everyone. I went with the size L and it fits although it's quite snug at the moment which is perfect because I'm still losing weight it should fit perfectly in a few months.

I just couldn't pass this up or risk waiting a few months and not being able to find one. How kick *** is this? :)

http://www.primal-sports.com/images/Product/medium/XRA1J10M.gif