Clothing RANT

[roadie gal]

I don't understand women's active clothing. WHY do they make "cute" but totally impractical clothing??? I want to get a pair of winter pants that I can wear hiking, running and cross country skiing. Everything I find is either low cut or flare legged? WTF?? Those are fine for casual wear, but how the heck can you cross country ski in flares? They'll catch on the skis. And don't even get me started on the pants that are cut so low you'll get ice on your pubes... They NEVER do this to men. Tights are still designed with practicality in mind, but I want something a bit looser. Oh yeah, pockets would be nice, too. But that's nearly impossible... unless you buy men's. feh

[Pax]

I feel your pain. I've been looking for a windbloc hooded fleece and LLBean finally had them in my size...but cut so tight in the armpits that I could barely wear it over a t-shirt.

[Biciclista]

and try to find a shirt with pockets or slacks with real pockets.

my mother explained it didn't look nice. I told her i didn't care, i feel stupid having to carry a wallet, cellphone and car keys in my hands because i don't have pockets!!!

[Grog]

Why aren't there pockets on the inside of women's jackets? It's always really annoyed me, as I always need a place to put a pen and piece of paper. ARRRG!

[SadieKate]

Everything I find is either low cut or flare legged? WTF?? Those are fine for casual wear, but how the heck can you cross country ski in flares? They'll catch on the skis.

What? The flared legs catch on the skis? Seems to me that's a length issue, not a flare issue. I have a pair of Salomon flared-leg pant and love them.

Now the low cut issue, I'm with you. Swobo is designing their pants during happy and high hour. I tried on some Gore cycling capris this weekend that would be great for multi-sports.

But whatever pockets they could provide in pants, I can't image a wallet and cell phone being comfortable there while running, skiing, hiking or anything active. They'd be banging around or inhibiting movement. That's what hydration or hip packs are for.

[Becky]

I have some great SportHill pants that I use for everything during the winter. Looser than tights, but close-fitting at the ankle so I can use them for commuting. And they have pockets for quick trips to the store. Best of all, SportHill stuff comes in different lengths!

TE sells something similar to what I have: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSH_0680.html

[SadieKate]

Love my SportHill pants. I've got multiple styles with the windresistant fabric which is great in winter. Much more comfortable than a shell outer.

[Becky]

I didn't know that they made wind-resistant styles! Excellent- thanks for the heads-up!

[SadieKate]

Looki for the 3SP fabric.
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSH_8210.html

[mayanorange]

Not that it really helps you in CA, but I adore Eastern Mountain Sports. They've always fit me really well in a functional way. And their stuff is rather cute. It's very dangerous for me to walk into EMS

[VeloVT]

Not that it really helps you in CA, but I adore Eastern Mountain Sports. They've always fit me really well in a functional way. And their stuff is rather cute. It's very dangerous for me to walk into EMS

Yes, I spent WAY too much at EMS last winter. I think "brand" stuff (Sugoi, etc) tends to be cuter, but EMS house brand stuff is pretty good quality and very functional, and frequently it's a fantastic deal (so I feel I have to stock up... arrrgh). Plus the EMS guys are so nice ...

[Crankin]

Emily: Maybe I am shrinking?? I have avoided Land's End because I have seen them as a "Mom jeans" kind of place, but maybe I will try. Athleta still has 28.5 length pants and they are starting to sell a lot of regular type pants, as opposed to strictly exercise stuff.
I love EMS, too and there is one 3 miles or less from my house. But everything is too big on me, especially the tops. The extra small tees have become longer and longer. I have a couple from like 5-6 years ago that I love, but the rest, forget it. I keep going there to search for stuff, and once in awhile I find something. Last weekend they had "club days" with a 20% discount for any outdoor or cycling club member. I did get a nice wool sweater; a bit itchier than Ibex, but it's something I would always wear a shirt under. Yes, the guys are very nice, but don't really want to listen to my size woes.
I think part of the problem is that younger people wear their pants dragging on the ground! I just don't want to have to have 2 sets of pants; one for heels and one for flats.

[emily_in_nc]

Emily: Maybe I am shrinking?? I have avoided Land's End because I have seen them as a "Mom jeans" kind of place, but maybe I will try.

Lands End still has some "Mom jeans" , but they have gotten much better in the past year or so. There are lots of different cuts, so you just have to choose the one(s) that suit you. They have a "modern cut" (not sure if that is what it is called but something like that) that is below the navel (but not too low) and boot-cut. It used to be that 4P was their smallest size, but they've added 2P (maybe even 0P in some styles), and I find the 2P fits me really well -- and I can specify the inseam, which is nice! Bean also has a modern cut now but the 28.5" petite length, and I think 4P may be their smallest size.

We don't have EMS here in NC. Too bad -- I hear lots of good things about it here!

[skhill]

At last! Carhartt size 2 (WTF??) relaxed fit... still a little small at the thighs, but at this point I don't care... (It was just about this time last year that I slipped from plus sizes to the standard range, so that 2 is kinda freaking me out...)

So... can anyone suggest cheap places to get size 2 pants??

Thanks!