Another Castelli :o

[SouthernBelle]

Does everybody remember the Castelli heart on butt kit we made fun of last year?

IMHO, this is this year's:

Jersey:
http://www.castelli-us.com/ps-950-4-koori-jersey.aspx

and much worse, the shorts:

http://www.castelli-us.com/p-989-koori-short.aspx

I found it in the latest Colorado Cyclist catalogue.

[Zen]

D

and much worse, the shorts:

http://www.castelli-us.com/p-989-koori-short.aspx



Oh, nooo :confused::mad: :mad:

[SouthernBelle]

Aren't they just....

SILLY!?

[KayTee]

:eek: Eew - what are their designers thinking? Some years ago Castelli had very nice, subdued, classic-looking bike clothes for women. Looks like these days they're designing for Brittney Spears.

[SadieKate]

The jersey wouldn't be bad - except for the bug-catching ruching on the front.

The shorts. The shorts. I'm speechless.

[spokewench]

It must be the new rage! If you go commando, you must at least wear a picture of what you are missing on the outside!

Hmmmm maybe I'll just start wearing my lingerie over my bike shorts???:D

[SadieKate]

Oh, don't give them ideas! Just think of the leg warmers to match!

[bmccasland]

so do we flood their in-box with letters telling them their designers are insane?

[VeloVT]

Normally I really like Castelli. But not only is this gag-worthy, but most of the other Summer 2008 women's stuff is ugly too. I think we SHOULD flood their inbox with complaints. We want cycling clothes that look fast and sleek and bold, we don't want to look like Minnie Mouse or like our mothers-in-law (there's one jersey with a super fussy little geometric floral print in muted colors, yuck).

Of course, I don't have the level of motivation required to ACTUALLY do this :D. But I can certainly b*itch and moan about it :o.

[motochick]

Another reason I just bought a pair of guys shorts!

Brenda

[VeloVT]

http://www.castelli-us.com/s-4-womens.aspx

I could see myself wearing the Fascino and maybe the Onda pieces, and the plain Partenza jersey is fine, but that's like four or five out of 18 that I don't think are totally ugly...

Of course, I'm sure there's at least one person that really doesn't like the ones I like, and loves the one I hate... I guess that what makes the world go round... but Castelli, please, more pretty jerseys OK?

[mimitabby]

well, i vote with my money.
simple as that.

[SadieKate]

Another reason I just bought a pair of guys shorts!

Brenda

'cuz you like the Batman look? :p

http://www.castelli-us.com/pc-969-14-free-short.aspx

[IFjane]

well, i vote with my money.
simple as that.

What mimi said!

[Grog]

If they don't sell any, presumably they won't make more ugly stuff next year.

Unless their business's purpose is to launder money? :eek:

But even then...

Anyway, someone must have been buying their stuff. Not me! (Although I did consider the Cuore - Heart - jersey last year. For a minute.)

[KayTee]

'cuz you like the Batman look? :p

http://www.castelli-us.com/pc-969-14-free-short.aspx

Yahoo, target practice?

[IFjane]

Yahoo, target practice?

*lol* KayTee.....

or...."Here it is! Inside the circle! I know it's not big enough to notice, but I really have something there...." :eek::eek::eek:

[SouthernBelle]

Meg & I saw the heart butt kit last year at a ride. We were both snickering terribly and trying not to laugh out loud. It looked sillier in person.

[Flybye]

Oh, the shorts - they look like cycling shorts with a bikini bottom on the top. Just think - I CAN MAKE THE SAME LOOK AT HOME FOR HALF THE PRICE!!!

Just icky.

Still not as bad as the white men's bike shorts.

[Trekhawk]

Oh my goodness!!!!:eek::eek:
I wonder how much the designer is getting paid for that little number.
Cycling gear and ruching how very bizarre.:eek:

[emily_in_nc]

and much worse, the shorts:

http://www.castelli-us.com/p-989-koori-short.aspx

I found it in the latest Colorado Cyclist catalogue.

Me too! I was just looking at that a couple of days ago. I immediately honed in on the horrible shorts and said to my DH "thong shorts!" :eek:

Wonder how long until they're half price or less? I just can't imagine anyone buying them!

Emily

[Flybye]

See, now that you have called them thong shorts, the possibilities for mixing and matching at home are endless. No more boredom.

I can make maybe 15 or so new outfits just by incorporating what I already have at home - the undies and the bikini bottoms.

Can anyone say "accessorizing?"

[Lifesgreat]

I thought the jersey would have one of those bikini top designs on them.

Yikes!

[Flybye]

I thought the jersey would have one of those bikini top designs on them.

Yikes!
And there we have it - our costume for the Little Red Century Ride :eek:

[lph]

or...."Here it is! Inside the circle! I know it's not big enough to notice, but I really have something there...." :eek::eek::eek:

*snort* :D All it's missing is a coupla arrows pointing THATAWAY! In case you MISSED IT!


Geez, and to think I felt kinda selfconscious wearing my PI Microsensor shorts because they have a contrasting seam that goes straight through the crotch.

[crazycanuck]

I'm nodding my head..yes Castelli we understand...:rolleyes: :confused: :eek:

Umm perhaps Castelli designers need thwacks in the head & then they may have some sense?

Nods head..ooooookkkkkk...urrrmmmmm..

[SalsaMTB]

Ok, the shorts, horrible. I really can't imagine any woman purchasing those shorts. The top....while it definitely isn't me, it is unique and I could see some women liking the top. Overall, I think their summer line has good variety. They have a broad range from minimal to more out there looking designs, plus they tried something different by adding the rousching(sp?) in the front. Their line seems a bit more aggressive than other manufacturers, and maybe they didn't quite get it right this year, but overall, I think it's OK. I can appreciate a manufacturer trying out something different.

[tc1]

I love the women's top. I have a secret fetish for highly constructed, detailed clothes. The shorts make no sense at all.

[Starfish]

I guess those awful shorts would appeal to the "Stranger" that Withm ran into (over on her thread "Strange Encounter"). :rolleyes:


HE: Well I guess you know what you are doing. But I couldn’t even tell you were a girl!

[SouthernBelle]

I suppose the ruching might be handy for catching bugs. That extra bit of protein.

[tab123]

This is why I buy Etxe Ondo clothing - functional yet stylish without being silly.

[KnottedYet]

Exte Ondo is some seriously good looking clothing.

[roadie gal]

I hope that when they don't sell, Castelli will make the (male I'm sure) designer wear those horrible shorts around the office as punishment.

[VeloVT]

Yeah the frustrating thing is that their men's summer 2008 line, with one or two exceptions, is pretty nice looking.

Exte Ondo -- wish I could justify spending that much on cycling clothes. They are pretty.

[SouthernBelle]

I love the looks of Exte Ondo. They had an orange and black winter kit a couple of years ago I would have killed for. But I couldn't justify spending over $300. :(

There are several pieces of Castelli that are OK, but the EO or Assos are better looking for the price.

[VeloVT]

But EO and Assos are both like 2-3x the price of Castelli, sadly...

[Jen-Jen]

I like looking at the tops, but I can't wear them! The sizing of women bike jerseys don't accommodate my very generous breast size! So I have to buy mens jersey. Sad, but my jersey is bigger then my husband jersey.

Didn't sound right, does it?:o

I've never been one for all that's pink. I prefer strong sleek colors, myself.

[firenze11]

Oh my, those men's shorts are hilarious. The mischievous side of me really wants to see them in real life.

I don't mind the women's jersey but those shorts are awful, awful, awful. Besides looking like they put underwear on the outside, I think they'd make my "child-bearing hips" look huge.

I am also very very disappointed with the Firenze (http://www.castelli-us.com/ps-949-4-firenze-jersey.aspx) jersey. :(

Some of the other ones I might wear though.

[SouthernBelle]

The Firenze looks better in the burgundy colorway, except they then put the red circle on it. Clashes terribly.

[motochick]

Has anyone showed these to their husbands? I did last night (mistake) and he said, "oh, those are so cute. I would love to see you wearing that, and they have a top that matches, too!" Of course a man designed these!

Brenda

[SouthernBelle]

Has anyone showed these to their husbands? I did last night (mistake) and he said, "oh, those are so cute. I would love to see you wearing that, and they have a top that matches, too!" Of course a man designed these!

Brenda

Did you tell him what we were saying? :D

[Flybye]

This is why I buy Etxe Ondo clothing - functional yet stylish without being silly.

Holey Moley - I'd have to refinance the house or sell a couple of kids to get myself outfitted in Exte Ondo - I love their stuff, but COME ON $145.00 for a sleeveless cycling jersey???? Let's see - make the car payment or purchase a jersey???

[Thorn]

Holey Moley - I'd have to refinance the house or sell a couple of kids to get myself outfitted in Exte Ondo

Yeah, but you'd look really, really when you have no place left to live :D

Seriously, I love going through EO's online catalog. I can't wear any of it, but I can admire the eye of the designer. I feel the same way about Orbea bikes. They will never fit me, but I find them sleek, elegant works of art. Interestingly, they seem to be out of related design houses.

Unfortunately, I can vote with my pocket book against the Castelli designers, but I can't vote with my pocket book for EO's....

[SouthernBelle]

EO has a kit called Sua for this summer that I love. TE has it but only in the fuschia colorway. It looks SO cool in the oranges.

Of course it's also $155 for the jersey.

[Pedal Wench]

Holey Moley - I'd have to refinance the house or sell a couple of kids to get myself outfitted in Exte Ondo - I love their stuff, but COME ON $145.00 for a sleeveless cycling jersey???? Let's see - make the car payment or purchase a jersey???

I just bought a pair of their shorts from Sierra Trading post -- quite reasonable, especially after a coupon. But honestly, after a short spin on the trainer, I found that they bunched up a bit uncomfortably.

[blueskies]

Yes, the pictured shorts are incredibly silly.

OTOH, I couldn't have ridden 2000+ miles last year without my Castelli shorts. I love the Castelli chamois, and last year, it literally saved my a$$. I tried a lot of different shorts when I was having bad sit bone pain, and it was the Castelli shorts that made it possible for me to do 3-5 hour rides.

I don't buy a whole product line... I buy a pair of shorts or a jersey at a time, so I don't mind if there are some that aren't for me. And really, if you have designers that are pushing the envelope & trying to bring some fashion & variety to bike clothes, there will be some hits & some misses. And yes, I agree, those shorts are a huge comical miss. It's like Britney & Minnie Mouse got together to design some bike clothes.

Still, I LOVE CASTELLI.

My current favorite:

http://www.castelli-us.com/pm-842-4-la-cimbali-ls-jersey.aspx

[7rider]

But EO and Assos are both like 2-3x the price of Castelli, sadly...

I also picked up some EO bib shorts at STP recently. They were marked down on closeout, and not that much more expensive than the Castelli bibshorts I picked up 2 years ago. They look really nice...I can't wait until it's warm enough for me to actually wear them on the bike! And...I'm hoping the EO's are better constructed than the Castelli's. For some reason, the seams on the Castellis keep coming undone and I need to stitch them down. I don't like doing that for pricey clothes (like repairing a button on a pair of pants I got from Chico's...grrr).

p.s. My LBS has the Catelli tattoo jersey....My DH wants me to get it...but even the Large looks SO freakin' tiny......

[motochick]

Of course I told him what we were saying. I wish I could tell you some of the other things he said in regards to the outfit in question! I too have to wear the castelli's for my distance rides, but I have to buy the mens because I am hooked on bibs and the "kiss" chamois. They don't offer that combo in women's that I could find. I am also getting them for less than $60 shipped.

I have also tried the exte ondo from Sierra Trading Post and while I loved them, the pad was not right for my bottom/saddle. I will be putting them up for sale here soon as I only wore them 4 times. I hate to have to get rid of them cuz the material is soooooo nice.

Brenda

[Greg Cowan]

Hi All,

I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Greg Cowan and I'm President of Castelli USA.

I almost never read blogs and this is the first time I've posted to one, but I got a mail this morning from a Team Estrogen customer/blogger and she let me know about this one so I thought I'd take the time to to write.

First, I think it's great that CASTELLI generates so much passion among women. Second, we value feedback. As Team Estrogen has a non-advertising requirment to this blog, I won't try to sell you anything. If you have feedback, you can send it directly to me via our website - www.castelli-us.com. I personally read and answer all of our website inquiries. I've answered questions on virtually every topic concerning CASTELLI and that includes what you do and don't like about our products, and we take that product feedback seriously. If you have some styles that you've liked in the past, let us know and we'll take a look at where we think we're hitting and where we're not. Third, the Koori Jersey and Short is NOT designed by a man. It is a concept drawn up by Niki Gudex (who is a top Australian mountain biker, model and fashion design graduate) and designed from that concept by a designer named Maria Theresa in Italy. Maria Theresa has been with CASTELLI for at least a decade. Hers is the same firm that designed the pieces that some of you have referenced that you liked. We also use outside designers in Portland, Oregon (one of whom is a woman and a leading sports apparel designer here - and she did a couple of the designs for Spring 08) and all the designs are reviewed for whether we include them in the line in both Italy and the USA.

Finally, I noticed a number of comments relative to pricing. We work very hard here to make our products price competitive. I could do a whole dissertation on apparel industry costs and pricing but I won't. I will say though that with the design and innovation we put into our fabrics (most of which are imported from Italy) and pads we feel we're providing great value to consumers both men and women at every price point that we have a product offering.

We won't please everyone - but we try to produce a range of product that includes something for everyone. We're not the biggest company out there so as I said above - we place great importance on our consumers and their feedback. And, every season we try to improve. Feel free to send me a note via our website.

Best Regards, Greg

[blueskies]

Hi All,

I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Greg Cowan and I'm President of Castelli USA.

I almost never read blogs and this is the first time I've posted to one, but I got a mail this morning from a Team Estrogen customer/blogger and she let me know about this one so I thought I'd take the time to to write.



Wow. I sent a short note to the contact email on the Castelli web site, but didn't expect to hear back from the President. Gotta respect the attention to customer feedback. :)

[SouthernBelle]

Hi Greg,

Very nice of you to come and post.

We really don't much care who the designers are, to be honest. We either like it or we don't.

The kit referenced in this thread, and one from last summer that you could probably find with a search, were not favorites, to put it mildly.

The majority of this group doesn't seem to like girly, as opposed to feminine.

I got past the girly stage about 30 years ago. :rolleyes:

[maillotpois]

http://www.castelli-us.com/s-4-womens.aspx


Is it any surprise that I really like the Pois jersey? :o

[SouthernBelle]

I just noticed the 3/4 length sleeves on the Fever jersey. I think that a pretty nifty idea for spring & fall.

[Greg Cowan]

Hi All (and Southern Belle),

I think this Team Estrogen forum (I was corrected, it's not a blog) is somewhat addicting.

Thanks for the comment regarding the Fever jersey.

I appreciate the comment regarding girly versus feminine. Certainly, the Koori jersey and short are on the young side. But, in our defense, we also have some very attractive styles (while that's in the eye of the beholder) that are feminine without regard to age. Two examples this spring are the Pois jersey and the Onda jersey off the top of my head. And for most, young is a mental state. I'd guess everyone on this site feels themselves mentally youthful. Anyway, this was the best selling women's line we've ever produced.

We're never going to have 100% of consumers (either women or men) like 100% of the line. All product line decisions are jointly made between European headquarters and the USA. Economics dictate we get the most from limited design and development resources so the product offerings overlap quite a bit. And there are definitely different connotations of feminity depending on the culture. Some pieces that are considered outrageous here are big sellers say in Italy and vice versa. Last year, the Curore (the heart cut and sewn piece) sold in a limited way to our USA retailers (male dominated buyers maybe?)- they didn't take a chance on it. Then when it hit the stores it was gone (so some women liked it) and we couldn't get more. We had requests for that top and bottom all summer long. Including from Team Estrogen. In Europe they sold 5x as many just in Italy as the USA did and they also couldn't keep them in stock. Anyway, my main point being, that when you have to distribute the products all over the world there are differing tastes among the consumers that you have to try to satisfy. Arguably CASTELLI may be the best selling brand across all the different countries where it is sold. Regardless of design we strive to deliver the finest fabrics, pads designs, fit and constructions to the market.

Finally, CASTELLI has always produced some very outrageous designs. We're known for it. Some of the older Paola Pezzo line is absolutely unbelievable. Pat Benatar looking tops, snakeskin shorts, etc. Being a little out there on the design and innovation side keeps things interesting. CASTELLI not only introduced lycra to cycling - but the first lycra cycling short wasn't a black short - it was bright blue. It's what makes CASTELLI fun.

Anyway, as I mentioned before - I am happy to take feedback on particular favorite styles that CASTELLI has produced in the past. Maybe a few readers here might want to post a photo of their favorite CASTELLI jersey of yesteryear. I'm guessing there's a pretty good diversity out there.

Best Regards, Greg

[Brandi]

'cuz you like the Batman look? :p

http://www.castelli-us.com/pc-969-14-free-short.aspx
They call them "Free shorts" those aren't free! Why is there a circle around the crotch?

[redrhodie]

Hey Greg,

Thanks for posting. I'm a designer (not apparel), and in art school I learned that good art is never going to be liked by everyone, and really good art will be loathed by many, at least at first.

Keep pushing the envelope.

[VeloVT]

Greg, hope you check back in and see this...
I actually love Castelli. That's why I was so sad about this season's lineup, which is not my taste at all (and I know, there are lots of other sensibilities out there besides mine :D). But I find Castelli fits me better than just about anything, and the fabrics are great too. And a few very comfortable models of chamois. It's pretty good up and down the line actually, and I think you are priced competitively (though if you wanted to drop the prices I wouldn't argue).

--I'm not crazy about using the Sofflex fabric for shorts (a few of the less expensive 2007 models did). It's fine for jerseys (although I actually like the fabric in the cheaper 2007 jerseys, like the Partenza, better (is it called Prosecco?)-- I think it's lighter and wicks better), but the Sofflex is not compressive enough for shorts. The Lycra29 fabric is much better.

--I have a few pairs of the 2007 Vizio short and, although I have big quads (objectively, it's a problem when I try to buy suiting), the non-elastic grippers are really big -- and this is not a problem I've ever had with any other short (often I have the opposite problem ;)). Overall it's a very comfortable design though.

--The 08 women's line is fussy! That 's what I don't like about it. It doesn't look like cycling clothing, it looks like technical lifestyle clothing. It doesn't look fast. From the men's line, I'd wear the Vuelta jersey, the Superleggera jersey, the Partenza jersey (I like the men's version a bit better than the women's actually -- though I have the 2007 women's Partenza jersey in three colors), even the Stanley jersey (fun & retro). Most of the others are fine too, I just don't like them quite as much. I am a little embarrassed to admit that I secretly covet the Logo jersey with the giant scorpion (normally I DO NOT LIKE logos on anything). It's graphically strong though, that's my excuse (I was half attracted to the women's tribal jersey last season). Sadly I think a men's small may be too big for me? Haven't tried it but the women's small (2007) fits me perfectly.

--Last year, I really liked the Curl jersey (have in more than one color) and the Carezza jersey. I really liked the Preziosa jersey this winter and the Momento jersey (have both -- ordered the grey Preziosa late in the season and it's gorgeous & beautifully cut, I wanted the red/white but by the time I got around to ordering it was out everywhere) but I thought the Diamante jersey was ugly, fussy. I also have a winter jersey from a few years ago that is very pretty on, I think it's called "Calipso".

--For what it's worth, while I **probably** would not have worn the Cuore kit myself, I didn't hate it :D. Now, the 2007 outfit with a handprint over the breast and rear... that's another story :eek:!

Anyway, I will continue to look forward to new styles from Castelli... as I said, the fabrics and the cut just work really well for me. But I wish this season looked faster and less fussy...

[SouthernBelle]

Hi All (and Southern Belle),

I think this Team Estrogen forum (I was corrected, it's not a blog) is somewhat addicting.

:D

Yes. & I have a blog too.