Random thoughts about clothing

[Becky]

The following occurred to me while riding into work this morning, now that it's getting a little chilly here:

1) Why do women's short sleeve jerseys have such short sleeves? They are great for minimizing tan lines, but not so great for keeping the upper end of your arm warmers covered. A bolero thingy might solve the problem, but I'm not coordinated enough to remove it while riding.

2) Why do all of my long-fingered gloves have such short fingers? I swear, they make my fingers go numb and my hand cramp... Any suggestions for longer full-finger gloves? I have some PI Pittards gloves now....but the Louis Garneau that I tried were the same way.

Anyone else have random cycling clothing thoughts?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My favorite:
Why do women's polyester jerseys come in prints that bring back 1960's70's Partridge Family nightmares? It's like- could anyone possibly dream up fabrics that look any tackier than this?

My other favorite:
Why do I usually wear size 12 pants but when I buy biking shorts I need to get the XL or even the XXL? Um, I'm just an average sized woman! What on earth do actual large women do when buying bike shorts?!

and....Why do they always make the elastic band on bike shorts 2" too tight, while the rest of the shorts fits just fine?

[lph]

They could look like this

http://plaidstallions.blogspot.com/s...hion%20mockery

[kfergos]

My question is, why do winter clothes not have more reflective bits? Clothing designers use reflective bits as decoration, but for winter riding, most of us will be out in the dark 90% of the time. I want clothing COVERED in reflectors, not just sporting a stylish little logo on some edge.

Also where are the good, breathable waterproof pants? I've used GoreTex ones; they're like riding inside a rain fly. I've used quasi-waterproof ones with breathable backs, but they soak through in the end. I've heard the amfibs are good, but haven't gotten to try them out yet. Seriously, winter pants need some work.

[lph]

Also where are the good, breathable waterproof pants? I've used GoreTex ones; they're like riding inside a rain fly. I've used quasi-waterproof ones with breathable backs, but they soak through in the end. I've heard the amfibs are good, but haven't gotten to try them out yet. Seriously, winter pants need some work.

I agree on the reflectors, and usually add a couple of wide reflector bands around my wrists and ankles in winter. One more thing to put on, no wonder it takes me 20 mins to get out the door...

The amfibs are good but are not waterproof. They're excellent for most winter weather I get, though, which is chilly-damp (light rain/drizzle) or dry-cold, but when it's really pouring I roll out the GoreTex pants. They're cycle-cut so fit ok, and they work reasonably well but I have to go slower and try not to build up a sweat.

[indysteel]

My question is, why do winter clothes not have more reflective bits? Clothing designers use reflective bits as decoration, but for winter riding, most of us will be out in the dark 90% of the time. I want clothing COVERED in reflectors, not just sporting a stylish little logo on some edge.

On this same note, what's the deal with black jerseys, jackets and the like? TE has a number of new Shebeest items posted that only come in black. I generally like Shebeest clothes, but I won't buy a jersey or jacket in black-- certainly not for winter riding. Why would I want to wear something that makes me blend into the road? I like high vis colors for my upper body.

[lph]

I listened to TE-Susan on that video clip she posted, and she had an interesting point: she pointed out that a lot of colours, not only black, are virtually black in the dark. So if you ride in true darkness you either want to go for very light colours, (white, pale yellow, which are pretty impractical and would get darn grimy in my winter weather) or better - festoon yourself with reflecting material. Just a thought.

[bmccasland]

They could look like this

http://plaidstallions.blogspot.com/s...hion%20mockery

Somewhere there's a picture of my little sister in that dress. There was a point in life where we were dressed out of the Sears catalogue. Including matching polyester outfits.

[violette]

They could look like this

http://plaidstallions.blogspot.com/s...hion%20mockery

I love it!! I went to a Halloween party once 70s style and we had a blast!! You should have seen the afro hair and blue eye shadow, it was hillarious. I'm with you on the tight waistband. I'm a size 7 and I need large to XL.

[wolfak]

They could look like this

http://plaidstallions.blogspot.com/s...hion%20mockery

I think we need a new thread sharing old photos of us wearing wonderful things like those ensembles. I have some pretty bad ones myself. My mom used to sew me little outfits that matched hers!

[chicago]

I can't stand shopping for clothes. I absolutely despise it. My Mom always says "I wonder if you got that from me", LOL... probably!!

For work, I buy a slew of Dockers and a slew of the same shirt (different colors), and that's what I wear to work... I absolutely hate shopping.

I'm clean, I smell good, and I'm a programmer... so not alot of people see me throughout the day... and those that do... know my attire and how boring it is, LOL!

oh and for bike jerseys... I buys mens.... because in women's, you need an x-large because a size medium is small enough to fix a 9yo!

rant over...

[cmac77354]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one that thinks that too!!! I never thought of buying men's jerseys, I'll have to check them out.

[Becky]

I wish that I could buy men's jerseys....better patterns, IMO, and longer sleeves....unfortunately, I'm petite, short-waisted, and the upper half is rather curvy....men's gear just isn't working here.

I agree with the comment about winter pants. I'm not sure what I'm going to wear on the lower half when it gets cold, windy, and/or damp. Around here, wind is definitely the enemy. My office sits right on the Delaware River!

Kfergos, check out lightweights.org. They have some iron-on reflectors for clothing. I bought a package, but have yet to decide what garment is going to be my test case, so I have no idea how well they work.

[kfergos]

Kfergos, check out lightweights.org. They have some iron-on reflectors for clothing. I bought a package, but have yet to decide what garment is going to be my test case, so I have no idea how well they work.

Good to hear -- I'll let you be the test case, though Let me know if they work, cause I'd definitely go for it if they do.

For those of you who live in Seattle or other downright wet parts of the country, what do you do pants-wise in the winter? Do you just get soaked? Do you try to GoreTex it up? Are there other options?

[Eden]

For those of you who live in Seattle or other downright wet parts of the country, what do you do pants-wise in the winter? Do you just get soaked? Do you try to GoreTex it up? Are there other options?

I get too hot, even in cold weather, wearing real rain gear. I just try to wear things that are warm when wet. Wool socks and gloves, thin polar fleece tights (they are paddling pants.... I was having a hard time finding chamois-less tights when I came across a pair of paddling tights - they are very warm). I wear a soft shell jacket. It actually does keep me pretty dry - dryer I think than even a breathable, waterproof jacket - as I tend to sweat more in those. I don't do wool other than hands and feet.... even very soft wool makes me itch on the more sensitive skin of my torso...