Why the lack of cute plus sized clothing?

[Heifzilla]

So many awesome choices for teeny tiny women. For example, I found the Vanderkitten website and I LOVE their jerseys. But when an XL is a size 10-12, that really pisses me off and makes me feel like a huge cow :mad: Seriously, a size 10-12 is EXTRA LARGE??? Really??

Some manufacturers take plus size women seriously, such as Terry and Sheebeast, but everyone else ignores us. Larger women like cute stuff too!! I don't want to dress in a tent just because hardly anyone seems to think that plus size women could possibly get on a bike and actually ride and want to look as cute as we can doing it (I know not everyone wants to look cute on a bike...point is that the thin girls get the opportunity, while the big girls really don't have much choice at all).

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Also, why do so many people think larger people are totally unhealthy? I am in better shape physically at my weight than some of the size 6 women I know, despite my weight. Argh.

/rant

[Trek420]

I see lots of cool duds right here on TE :cool::

http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/cycling/apparel/tops/plus-size/c0-atsport_01-c1-c2-atspecialty_03.html

[Heifzilla]

I see lots of cool duds right here on TE :cool::

http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/cycling/apparel/tops/plus-size/c0-atsport_01-c1-c2-atspecialty_03.html

TE does have a good selection, that really wasn't my point. If I have to buy everything from TE, that's really limiting, and I don't necessarily like their choices.

I *am* working on losing weight, but I just *hate* that I am so limited right now where I can get bike clothing from. Men's clothing is not really an option, either, because I am not shaped like a man. I have wide hips, a small waist. Plus, most men's jersey's aren't in colors or patterns I like :)

[tantrumbean]

Corinne Dennis does larger sizes ... although it's based in the uk, so not sure about shipping charges, etc. and they aren't exactly exiting...

http://www.corinnedennis.co.uk/about.html

[ridebikeme]

Check out LouisGarneau.com and Terry, they both offer plus size clothing. You're right the sizing charts for the womens side of clothing is off, hopefully the manufacturers will take a look at this here in the near fuiture.:D

[pinkbikes]

I realise that this is in the land of Oz, but I guess your dollar would go a lot further here than most, so it might be an option?

I recently discovered a local (actually local to CrazyCanuck really since it's in Western Oz) company that makes up jerseys and other cycling apparel. They have a wide range of artwork and make them up to whatever size you order according to their sizing chart. Their women's jerseys are very definitely woman-shaped and come in up to 6XL.

They are not cheap but they are VERY cute. I bought the Easter Bunny and the Santa Claus ones. My DH bought me a really "girlie tough mountain biker chick" one (skulls and flames and lots of pink:)) for my birthday. And I greatly covet the "Dogs in Space" model. I am what Australians call a size 16 (about a US size 14) and I bought them in XL, which fits really nicely.

Here is the link:

http://www.sprintdesign.com.au/index.html

The Director, Alex can be contacted by email and was very helpful.

I've attached a pic of me at Easter in my bunny jersey (before I put my helmet on - complete with ears - and a tail on my cute pink furry toolbag from TE). It was quite a hit wherever I went.:D

[crazycanuck]

Heifzilla, if you decide to purchase a sprint design item, i'm happy to pick up the item as it's close to my house. It'll save you a bit on shipping?

In regards to larger sizings, perhaps one day clothing manufacturers might surprise you :)

[TrekTheKaty]

I hear your frustration! I'm a women's medium in regular shirts. However, because I have boobs and don't like my jersey's skin-tight--I have a hard time finding cute jerseys. Women's XL jerseys are often too tight and I resort to men's jerseys, but they are too long and not "CUTE." Good thread.

[divingbiker]

I recently discovered a local (actually local to CrazyCanuck really since it's in Western Oz) company that makes up jerseys and other cycling apparel. They have a wide range of artwork and make them up to whatever size you order according to their sizing chart. Their women's jerseys are very definitely woman-shaped and come in up to 6XL.

I loooove some of those jerseys, but their web site is a bit frustrating. It's hard to see what they look like from those tiny little pictures. And when you click on the picture, the link is broken.

I think an order may be in my future. Thanks for pointing this out!

[smurfalicious]

Unfortunately from the perspective of manufacturer's and retailers there's just not a big enough market to produce a lot of plus size items. I want to say I've heard it's a 50/50 split of males and females in the cycling world, but looking around my area I'd say it's 2/3 men 1/3 women. BIA says 55% women, others say 60% men. Bah.

So let's go with half. Now you have to take 1/2 your market and figure that maybe I dunno, 1/4 or less of that is seeking plus size gear. So now you've got about 13% of your total market. As a retailer and manufacturer, are you going to take a huge risk on creating a lot of inventory that might sell to such a small group? So they knock out a few of their more core items in larger sizes and call it good. Does it suck? Yeah, but right now a LOT of clothing manufacturers, Descente and Sugoi I know for sure, are really struggling. They can't have a ton of product that isn't going to move.

Look at it this way, in any apparel line there will probably be three levels of a short of tight in men's, and maybe one or two in women's. I wanted Descente's Shelter tights, but they only made the Coldout in women's.

So I wholeheartedly agree that it sucks that all you get is "Here's your primary colored basic, boring jersey," but that's how it goes. It's a big risk for a manufacturer to make the flashy stuff that might not sell across the whole size run in additional sizes.

I think TE is a huge blessing! Specialty retailers are definitely at an advantage with this sort of thing. And thanks to the interwebs for creating a sort of global market for such items to thrive. What is totally unrealistic for your LBS to carry, a site like TE can.

I'm right on the edge of L and XL in cycling clothes and even then it sucks. I could not for the life of me get into my team kit in a women's size. It's a good thing I'm really secure with body (it is strong, healthy, and has banging curves!) or I might have cried coming out of the bathroom at a team meeting, women's L and XL jerseys in my hand declaring I couldn't get my boobs into either. I'm currently in a men's large. Thanks Primal, really, love your warped sizing. Oh well, I gots bibs and I looove them!!!

I do agree that a 10-12 is NOT an XL in anyone's reality except cycling apparel, and even then, their idea of 10-12 measurements are whacked as well.

So brands I would look at as an expert in boobs and ghetto booty. No lie, even when I was at my fittest I was still a large in cycling gear. I've found the folks at Craft have realistic sizing ideas. Sugoi seems to run big, I tried on some cute commuter tights, took the L and XL into the dressing room. The large was biggish but can't confirm medium was right due to it being a clearance item. Sheila Moon seems biggish as well. I found a large tank on the clearance rack, tried it figuring it would be too small and it was big on me. Skirt Sports rocks as well. I love Nicole and her company ohsomuch! I have a medium jersey from their new line that fits awesome and I'm normally and L/XL up top. And they're looooong! Love that the most!

Blah, blah, blah. Just the inane ramblings of an industry girl.

[pinkbikes]

I loooove some of those jerseys, but their web site is a bit frustrating. It's hard to see what they look like from those tiny little pictures. And when you click on the picture, the link is broken.

I think an order may be in my future. Thanks for pointing this out!

Yes - I had a look at their site and there do seem to be some broken links at the moment. I could get some pics to come up but not others. I might drop Alex a line and let her know - she seems nice and would want to know. The layout seems to be different from the last time I was on the site, so maybe they are having some teething problems with it.

I hope they get it sorted because I have a plus-sized friend who wants to buy the zebra jersey. She used to be a VERY substantial girl and is now down to about 220lbs. But she also has a waist and hips and doesn't want to wear a sack! I have just pointed her to TE for shorts because she has a fair bit of trouble fitting her saddlebags. It really is a PIA being a bigger girl sometimes!

[TxDoc]

So many awesome choices for teeny tiny women. For example, I found the Vanderkitten website and I LOVE their jerseys. But when an XL is a size 10-12, that really pisses me off and makes me feel like a huge cow :mad: Seriously, a size 10-12 is EXTRA LARGE??? Really??

Don't know, but - what I was taught when I was growing up is that 0-2= XS, 2-4=S, 4-6=M, 6-8=L, anything 10 and above=XL. So I guess 10-12 really is XL, or maybe I'm confused?
:confused:


Some manufacturers take plus size women seriously, such as Terry and Sheebeast, but everyone else ignores us. Larger women like cute stuff too!! I don't want to dress in a tent just because hardly anyone seems to think that plus size women could possibly get on a bike and actually ride and want to look as cute as we can doing it (I know not everyone wants to look cute on a bike...point is that the thin girls get the opportunity, while the big girls really don't have much choice at all).

Back to your question though - I guess the main factor is marketing, since the companies' purpose is to actually sell their clothes. So what they do is to cater to the majority of cyclists. And cyclists tend to be of slim athletic build.
Now if you turn on th TV and watch a stage of a grand tour - well, most cyclists are in the average BMI range or below average. Likewise, if you ride around in your area and meet team members or club members - probably overweight cyclists will be a small minority.
So if a company wants to make good sale #s, they need to sell a lot of shorts and jerseys (especially cute ones as you say) - and so they need to make sure that their marketing target is the majority of cyclists which is low-to-average weight.

Now, if you say that this leaves out whoever does not meet the marketing/publicity standards and you don't like it - yes, I hear you. There are, as you said, some companies that develop within a market niche and provide good products to everyone regardless of size - but I would guess that most companies would try to cater to a larger # of cyclists, and that does not include the subpopulation of overweight/plus sizes.

One solution is semi-custom, a couple of my cycling buddies on the heavy side have ordered a lot of custom and semi-custom items to have nicer jerseys and kits. And, as Trek said, here on TE they have some products for plus sizes. But that's about all I can suggest, don't know much about it :(

Not sure if I was able to answer in a way that makes sense - I'm not a marketing expert so really I don't know. Maybe Susan here on TE can help with a more detailed insight - Susan :) illuminate all of us please?

[pinkbikes]

I loooove some of those jerseys, but their web site is a bit frustrating. It's hard to see what they look like from those tiny little pictures. And when you click on the picture, the link is broken.

I think an order may be in my future. Thanks for pointing this out!

I went and had another look at the site before I sent off an email to them, only to find it is already fixed. I went to two links that were previously showing up as broken (the Space Diva under the Diva heading and the Valentine under the Festive Holidays heading) and both were working now. So maybe they had it "under construction" earlier today?

[Heifzilla]

I do understand the whys of it, it's just SO frustrating. It was late, I had been looking on a lot of websites for some clothes and was really pissed off :) Clothes shopping for me has always been difficult, even when I was thinner. I have no boobs, wide back, a small waist, and wider hips. Plus, I am long waisted and have no leg. I'm the exact same way when thinner (boobs are even smaller, oy!) so trying to find clothes that fit and look good has always been painful for me. And forget about trying to find a bra in my size. Ugh, I'm getting stressed just typing about clothing :(

Thanks for all the replies, though, some of the links have some really cute stuff :)

[Autigirl]

I had a hard time finding bike shorts that fit. I am tall and have curves. If they fit in the booty they were huge in the waist. I bought some Andiamo padded briefs and love them! I wear them under cotton shorts or pants depending on the temperature outside. They are so versatile - I love them!

I haven't tried any jerseys on yet - I just wear a cotton tee. At this point all I care about is riding in comfort.

Kat

[Jones]

I loooove some of those jerseys, but their web site is a bit frustrating. It's hard to see what they look like from those tiny little pictures. And when you click on the picture, the link is broken.

I think an order may be in my future. Thanks for pointing this out!

I think there may be an order in my future too.

Since I have taken up riding my size has been any where from an xl to a xxxl depending on brand. I guess I have been lucky though because I really like pink and I have always been able to find stuff I like. I do think it is frustrating that I am an xl in one brand and an xxl in another brand is way to small and it always too small across my back. What's up with that?
Anyway if I order a Sprint Jersey from Oz I will wait until I am done loosing weight which should be about next year at this time.

[Vanderkitten]

The Vanderkitten jerseys for 2009 are actually about a 14+ for XL. AND, you can return anything for a refund or exchange.

But the weird thing about women's cycling apparel- We are ALWAYS getting told how we need more bigger sizes. 2 years ago we made XL and XXL... and I believe they are all still sitting here or were liquidated to Bicycling HUb (who has since sold them). This year we did every jersey in an XL (which is about a size larger than many XL's), and we've sold 7.

Every year, about this time, this becomes a discussion- Do we sell XL? We have to buy so many pieces per size from the MFG, and layout artwork, etc, that it becomes a huge investment in something that has not worked for us consistently since 2004.

Anyhow, that's our experience. Our point of view comes from racing, so perhaps that might cause potential consumers to looks elsewhere?

2010 cuts are going back to racier cuts after all of the complaints this year about our relaxed "big" cuts. So... now might be the time grab a jersey or 5! :)

[jusdooit]

Has anyone ever done an actual market study to see if larger size clothing would sell. I think it's a prejudice assumption that larger women (and men) don't exercise so there will be no market. BIG MISTAKE. In my area it's hard to find women's bike clothing at any LBS. They just seem to cater more to the men's market. And i don't want to buy everything online either.

[Kris]

I've got a pair of padded underwear and one jersey (with Curious George on it, purchased at TE). Most of the time I wear ordinary shorts and a t-shirt for bicycling. I have lost about 50 pounds recently, but don't feel like I want to "accentuate the positive" as my mom used to say, by wearing skin-tight clothes. I've had rude teenagers shout insults at me, even without bike clothes. And I figure if I ride without padding on my ordinary rides, I'm prepping the parts of my body that contact the seat for a longer ride when I do put on the padded stuff.
Where I live (Central Illinois) I see a lot of women biking, not as many as men, but a lot, and the only ones in lycra are going really fast, and they're skinny. I don't know if it's because someone is missing the market, or because lycra pants and close-fitting jerseys put most of us in fear of looking ridiculous. There isn't any place in town where I can actually try on the lycra pants and see how bad they look before I buy them. That's got to be a factor. And if you buy online and it doesn't fit, you're out the postage both ways.

[witeowl]

I gave up caring about looking ridiculous a long time ago. Comfort wins. Lycra shorts and a properly-fitting jersey with rear pockets rock my cycling world. When I was over a hundred pounds overweight, it's not like a loose t-shirt and baggy shorts were going to fool anyone.

[shootingstar]

I've got a pair of padded underwear and one jersey (with Curious George on it, purchased at TE). Most of the time I wear ordinary shorts and a t-shirt for bicycling. I have lost about 50 pounds recently, but don't feel like I want to "accentuate the positive" as my mom used to say, by wearing skin-tight clothes. I've had rude teenagers shout insults at me, even without bike clothes. And I figure if I ride without padding on my ordinary rides, I'm prepping the parts of my body that contact the seat for a longer ride when I do put on the padded stuff.
Where I live (Central Illinois) I see a lot of women biking, not as many as men, but a lot, and the only ones in lycra are going really fast, and they're skinny. I don't know if it's because someone is missing the market, or because lycra pants and close-fitting jerseys put most of us in fear of looking ridiculous. There isn't any place in town where I can actually try on the lycra pants and see how bad they look before I buy them. That's got to be a factor. And if you buy online and it doesn't fit, you're out the postage both ways.

Congrats. on your weight loss, Kris! As for wearing clothing for cycling that's not skin, tight...that would be more me. And I'm slim/small all over.

I dislike skin-tight jerseys while cycling..it actually makes me feel hotter particularily in more humid weather and wish not even think about if I look curvy up top. That's great for others but I figure hardly anyone notices little me trudging along on bike nor do I look attractive to anyone with messed up hair and sweat after getting off the bike and walking around. I'm pretty low-key in cycling attire and avoid cycling-racing kit look.

I converted to jerseys (from t-shirts) about 13 years after cycling regularily. I resisted wearing cycling jerseys and spandex shorts simply because I had a lower self-image of myself as a less competent cyclist. Meanwhile I was averaging during T-shirt cycling years of 4,000-6,000 kms. of cycling annually which included touring trips far greater distances than what I do now. :p

[redrhodie]

I've had rude teenagers shout insults at me, even without bike clothes.

That has nothing to do with you or your size, or what you're wearing. It happens to all of us, even skinny guys. Something about seeing a person on a bike makes some teenagers (usually in groups in cars) obnoxious.

Don't take it personally.

[Kris]

I had no idea everyone got shouted at. I don't know if it's good or bad, but it's good to know I'm not the only one. Thanks.

[owlice]

I got a pair of shorts from aerotechdesigns.com, and have three more (all different ones) coming from them any day now. I don't know how they compare to other places, except to say they do have shorts in big sizes.

[deeaimond]

That has nothing to do with you or your size, or what you're wearing. It happens to all of us, even skinny guys. Something about seeing a person on a bike makes some teenagers (usually in groups in cars) obnoxious.

Don't take it personally.

fortunately we don't have that here. (teenagers cannot afford to drive cars. hahha. If they can they're less inclined to shout out of their windows.)

but when riding in malaysia, packs of teenagers would ride past on motorbikes and some of them would start pedalling furiously on their motorbikes. hahhha.. very funny to look at. cracked me up every time.

Do people give you a thumbs up or an encouraging toot of the horn? focus on those times? I also had truck drivers drive past with raised bottles of water. hahha. they ask if i'd like a drink. :D

** and oh no its not coz i'm a skinny sexy chick on a bike. hehhe. I'm quite large by local standards and covered from head to toe. long sleeves, long tights, buff and sunglasses covering the entire face.

[Susan Otcenas]

While I won't give you percentages, suffice to say that PLUS size apparel makes up a fairly significant percentage of our sales. It's a very important part of our customer base. In fact, we are always asking our vendors for MORE plus size options! Some of the options you see in our plus size specialty shop are custom-made for Team Estrogen as we are always seeing demand for more designs, styles & colors.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/plus-size/c0-atspecialty_03-p0.html

Always happy to hear your feedback on what you would like to see added to this section of the website.

Susan

[sundial]

Susan, I'm glad to read this because I need XL tops for my airbags. ;) I believe that younger women are wearing larger sizes in clothing, including shoes, and retailers should expand their clothing sizes.

Take for instance shoes. I wear 43s and I have to resort to wearing men's shoes because for some dumb reason women's cycling shoes end at 42s. My street shoes are 10's, but in cycling I really need 11's. :rolleyes:

Also, I wish manufacturers would offer more than frumpy, geo-print, flowerdy plus size clothing. I'd rather wear a mu-mu before I wear some of the stuff that's floating out there. Note: flowerdy skorts are not included in the bash.

I would also rather wear men's designed jerseys because they are longer, have more generous pockets, and are not skin tight. I don't need aerodynamic style clothing because frankly, I'm a windsail on my bike. Luckily, Shebeest offers a cut in some of their jerseys that are similar to a men's cut. :)

[Susan Otcenas]

Take for instance shoes. I wear 43s and I have to resort to wearing men's shoes because for some dumb reason women's cycling shoes end at 42s. My street shoes are 10's, but in cycling I really need 11's. :rolleyes:

Also, I wish manufacturers would offer more than frumpy, geo-print, flowerdy plus size clothing. I'd rather wear a mu-mu before I wear some of the stuff that's floating out there. Note: flowerdy skorts are not included in the bash.


Sundial - You're in luck! We just so happen to have multiple WOMEN's shoe options in 43 *and* 44!

Take a look at these:

All of these come in 43!
http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/apparel/footwear/shoes/shoe-size-43/c0-c1-c39-c41-so100002~43.html

All of these come in 44!
http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/apparel/footwear/shoes/shoe-size-44/c0-c1-c39-c41-so100002~44.html

Note: to find these on our website, go to the apparel tab-->shoes. Then use the "size" filter on the left side menu to search for the shoe size you need. In this case, these are the search results for 43 and 44.


As for designs for plus size cycle jerseys for women - I agree that the choices are more limited than in the regular sizes. There *are* many solid color options though, especially from Mt. Borah & Canari. And for next year, we are working on doing a much expanded plus size selection using prints from an entirely different (top secret! :D ) source.... So don't give up hope yet.

Susan

[KnottedYet]

Wooo-hooo! :D

Thank you, Susan! :p

[OakLeaf]

As long as we're drifting into shoes... Susan, can you talk about the differences between women's cycling shoes and men's?

I didn't know whether to rejoice or simmer when the Mizuno rep told me that it was okay that my favorite running shoe had been discontinued in women's Wide, because men's standard is the same shoe... all the while their website makes a big deal about how their women's shoes are designed to work with a woman's specific biomechanics. :rolleyes:

[owlice]

Hmmm... I don't know where I got the idea that TE didn't have plus sizes; thanks for the information! Time to whip out a credit card! :D

[Susan Otcenas]

As long as we're drifting into shoes... Susan, can you talk about the differences between women's cycling shoes and men's?

I didn't know whether to rejoice or simmer when the Mizuno rep told me that it was okay that my favorite running shoe had been discontinued in women's Wide, because men's standard is the same shoe... all the while their website makes a big deal about how their women's shoes are designed to work with a woman's specific biomechanics. :rolleyes:

HI Oakleaf,

So, what the mizuno rep told you is sorta right and sorta wrong. :D Here's how it works in cycling shoes.

Let's start with say, a size 40 shoe. Suppose you have a men's medium width 40 & a women's medium width 40.

1) Both size 40s will be the same LENGTH.
2) The women's shoe will be a B width.
3) The men's shoe will be a D width. This is wider than the women's medium width in both the forefoot *and* the heel.

To my knowledge, there is no cycling shoe manufacturer making a women's wide cycling shoe.

However, let's go the other way. Let's compare a men's narrow 40 to a women's medium 40.

1) Both size 40s will be the same LENGTH.
2) The women's shoe will be a B width.
3) The men's shoe will *also* be a B width.
4) However, men's B width shoes typically have a wider heel cup than a women's B width shoe, as women tend to have narrower heels for any given length foot. Could potentially cause some heel slop/slippage unless you can cinch the shoe snugly.
5) For the same length (40) and width (B) the men's shoe will also have a greater overall foot *volume* in the middle of the shoe. What do I mean? Men generally have "thicker" feet through the arch/instep area (think top to bottom), just as they often have thicker palms (for example, Jeff & I have the same width hands, but looked at from the sides, his hands are clearly thicker than mine). So even though the shoe may be the same width, it'll be "taller" through the mid-foot area to account for the thicker foot. Again, if you have a shoe that is very adjustable and can be cinched down, or if you yourself have a thicker foot, this may well not be a problem for you.

Incidentally, some sock companies take this into consideration as well. A Smartwool "unisex" small sock is the same LENGTH as a "women's" small sock, but the foot VOLUME is greater in the unisex small. Most of the smartwool socks we carry are the women's version, which are sometimes hard to find elsewhere. Same with our Balega socks. Many many men can wear the "women's" smartwool socks without issue. Jeff wears the socks we carry all the time. For me, I prefer the women's because I have a small foot and like a snug fitting sock without extra fabric over the instep.

Sooooo, to get back to the Mizuno shoe. Could you wear the men's medium? Probably. It will be the same width in the forefoot as the women's wide. But it will likely have a wider heel cup and a greater foot volume in the midfoot. You'll have to try them out to see whether or not your heel walks out of the shoe.

Does this info help?

[spazzdog]

Hey Susan! I just posted a link to TE on my Facebook. Hopefully we'll get some of my Texas and NYC buddies in here. I included the bit about you carrying larger sizes too!

spazz

[Susan Otcenas]

Wow, thanks spazz!! Much appreciated!

[divingbiker]

Huh, I guess I should be wearing men's shoes, because I have a wide foot that is very "thick"--high instep and high arch. I can't even get my foot into a Keen sandal or through the ankle of a boot that doesn't have a zipper.

Thanks for the info, Susan!

[Bootleg Betty]

I too get the yells, but mostly just ignore them. I purchased a pair of cycling shorts from Aerotech and found them to actually run large. They are comfortable and shaped for a woman with curves which isn't ideal for me because I have big hips and a pancake butt so they are baggy in the rear. I got over wearing spandex in public a long time ago as I play for a women's tackle football team called the Sacramento Sirens. Now I wouldn't play in anything else because it doesn't restrict my movement at all when running and getting out of my stance.

I do have a question regarding running shorts. I am getting into tri's and need to find some plus size running shorts (I am a size 22-24, still losing weight). I usually just run in my cycling shorts because they don't ride up, but obviously the chamois isn't ideal for longer distances. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Susan Otcenas]

I do have a question regarding running shorts. I am getting into tri's and need to find some plus size running shorts (I am a size 22-24, still losing weight). I usually just run in my cycling shorts because they don't ride up, but obviously the chamois isn't ideal for longer distances. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

We have 3 options in plus size run shorts: http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/running/apparel/bottoms/shorts/plus-size/c0-atsport_03-c1-c24-c117-atspecialty_03.html

Personally, I think the Brooks are the best option. They simply DO NOT ride up, as they have a compression short underneath, attached to the outer short at the inseam. Very cleverly built.

Susan

[Bootleg Betty]

I forgot to add that I tried the Pearl Izumi Superstar jersey and it fit perfectly! I find that most women's jerseys are too tight even in a XXL. The zipper even lays perfectly flat (I have a very large chest). My friend instantly said that I looked like I felt more comfortable and I even think I let out a sigh. Highly reccomended for big women with big chests!

[Juliegoddess]

I forgot to add that I tried the Pearl Izumi Superstar jersey and it fit perfectly! I find that most women's jerseys are too tight even in a XXL. The zipper even lays perfectly flat (I have a very large chest). My friend instantly said that I looked like I felt more comfortable and I even think I let out a sigh. Highly reccomended for big women with big chests!

Thanks for this suggestion! I am going to try this jersey. I'm also sourcing fabrics for sewing my own bikewear, since I am a clothing designer. I'm a single mom, so I can't afford lots of the expensive plus size bikewear available out there!

[shootingstar]

Thanks for this suggestion! I am going to try this jersey. I'm also sourcing fabrics for sewing my own bikewear, since I am a clothing designer. I'm a single mom, so I can't afford lots of the expensive plus size bikewear available out there!

Since you're new here, you may not be aware of this fabric and notions place:
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/

Show us some pics of your creations one day.

[Juliegoddess]

Since you're new here, you may not be aware of this fabric and notions place:
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/

Show us some pics of your creations one day.

Hey hon!

Thank you so much! Yes, I love Seattle Fabrics! And if anyone here does any sewing, they should also check out Rose City Textiles (http://rosecitytextiles.com/), too. They have tons of sports and technical fabrics, and the prices are really great. I am waiting for swatches for windblock fabrics, as this will be the next project for me. My 40-degree tights are not working for 35-degree days...and I can't afford $110 for coldweather tights. Two yards of windblock from RTC will cost me $36, and I will be able to make beanies, headbands, toe covers, plus the tights. Yessss!!!

[shootingstar]

Julie:

There are a handful here who do have sewing expertise, including cycling apparel.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=33049&highlight=sewing Has some photos.

[Juliegoddess]

Julie:

There are a handful here who do have sewing expertise, including cycling apparel.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=33049&highlight=sewing Has some photos.

SWEET!! I am going over there right now!! I've been dying to find out if there were any other biker-sewers!