Jerseys for the top heavy

[Beth-Ro]

...(that would be me)

I am in the market for a new Jersey. I would like for it to have pockets on the back. I would like it to zip up the front. I would like for it to accommodate my 40D chest (47 inches). And I would like for it to be FUN TO WEAR!!!
Surely there are others out there like me....surely I'm not the only one!!!

Is there anyone out there with a large-boobage-positive-fit experience? I really like these jerseys...any owners with comments? Maybe there is a particular brand that fits looser than its size chart would indicate?

http://www.teamestrogen.com/images/p...SSQZ06_xlg.jpg

http://www.teamestrogen.com/images/p...ILWJER_xlg.jpg

Thanks for the input.

[Grog]

I am definitely not top heavy (think 34A, barely) and own the Velo Bella jersey (older version without the Kona logo, much nicer to me, and I constantly get complimented on it). It's definitely a "race cut", so I'm not sure even the larger version will fit large boobage. I would place more hope in the iris one (which is BEAUTIFUL!). But I could be wrong. You should email Susan from TE about it, these girls know everything.

[Dianyla]

A word of warning for you about bike jerseys (besides the "racer/euro fit" thing already mentioned). I have moderately large boobage (40") and I have a big annoyance with the jerseys that have a long front zipper. I'm talking about zippers that are so long you could breastfeed twins.

What happens with these is that the zipper is quite stiff and it bends and bows in all sorts of unflattering ways as it's crossing over the continental divide. The result is a boobage profile that looks like a tent pitched with crooked poles.

Shorter zippers that end above the bust or midway through it don't have this problem. It's only the long ones.

[Trekn Teresa]

Dianyla,
Oh my goodness....
I like the visual image you gave with your description.
I'm sorry..it was just a very good one and made me giggle.
I do know what you mean about the zippers being stiff, and I am just an average sized gal here.
I am sorry I cannot be of more help to Beth Ro... But, I really do like that Iris one also. Go ahead and call or e-mail the ladies at Team Estrogen- they can assist you.
~ Teresa ~

[Lise]

That iris one is gorgeous. I wear a 36D, and I've got hips and belly to match (hardly any butt though. harumph) I don't like how tight all around the jerseys are. If I get one that's too big, it's really too big, like the shoulders hang down. I don't have any solution, but I'll be interested to hear what you figure out, Beth Ro. I know that Susan O. of TE is also heavy up top, about my size. Maybe she'll have some suggestions. Take care, Lise

[Eagle-Eye]

I have had some luck finding sleeveless jerseys. I think the trick is that they don't have sleeves, so you don't have the drooping shoulers problem.

I'd like to find some short sleeve, and long sleeve jersey options for the "top heavy" as well.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I highly recommend that you call TE as opposed to (or really in addition to) looking at these jerseys on the web. In my experience, the gals who answer the phone there are very helpful. When I had some shorts sizing questions, Molly (I think it was Molly...) grabbed the shorts I was asking about and was able to compare the sizes for me from a reality standpoint.

--- Denise

[Cari]

Hi Beth,

Perhaps I can help. I'm about a 36D, 41-42" chest, with a (relatively) small waist and big hips, so I definitely look for jerseys with a curvy fit.

The new Velo Bella jersey just came in the mail yesterday, in XL. It fits surprisingly well, considering that in last year's model, I could barely breathe in a 2XL. In the new version, the cut seems a bit more curvy, the sizes are bigger, and it's really pretty.

I have last year's Primal Wear Flutter Bike jersey in XL. The cut doesn't seem as curvy as I'd like it to be. It's snug around the chest and hips, a bit long in the body, and it sort of creeps up while I'm biking. It's pretty, but I hardly wear it.

Shebeest's Bellissima jerseys fit me perfectly. The curves are just right, and it's very slimming -- good for when I want to be comfortable and look nice. I wear a large, which is 20.5" across the chest. I have an brand new XL sitting around (23" across the chest) -- posted under the For Sale section (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=5937) , in case you're interested. The tags are still on but I can't return it, so at this point I'm willing to sell it for half the original price.

My favorite jerseys for loooong, hot rides are Louis Garneau's 2005 ProFit women's jerseys. Love the diamond square fabric, the long zipper, the 3 pockets, everything. But then for 2006, they changed the cut and now they just don't fit me right. If by any chance you can find some of the older jerseys, I suggest you give those a try because they fit beautifully -- I always get compliments. TE still has some left over, some of them on sale.

Sorry for the spiel, but I hope the info helps!

~Cari

[Beth-Ro]

What happens with these is that the zipper is quite stiff and it bends and bows in all sorts of unflattering ways as it's crossing over the continental divide. The result is a boobage profile that looks like a tent pitched with crooked poles.

A most excellent visual...I will be steering clear of the full length zips

Thanks for the input ladies. I will definitely be calling TE when I have a moment...life has suddenly taken a turn for the busy, which explains my lack of re-post to my post.

And as the above quote illustrates, we have to have a sense of humor about the large boobage. And if anyone out there in the marketing area of this biz is listening, there is definitely interest in larger sizes!

[HipGnosis6]

[B]And as the above quote illustrates, we have to have a sense of humor about the large boobage. And if anyone out there in the marketing area of this biz is listening, there is definitely interest in larger sizes!

My own struggle to find jerseys and shorts that fit (the Terry knickers are a godsend - saves me from having to make my own) inspired me to go to fashion design school. At my thinnest, I wore a 38D bra, and that's the largest size most sports bras come in! What about us who haven't already ridden for ten years, or aren't shaped like athletes? Or who are, by genetics alone, left out of normal sizes because we're too tall (or short)?

TE's plus size and tall size shops are wonderful, but it makes me very sad that the selection available for them to market there is so (pardon the pun) slim.