Designing Women's Cycling Apparel

[kamkam]

Hello!

I am currently working on my final Master's of design project that is to design women-specific cycling clothing. Last summer I bought a road bike and have been riding it non-stop. One of the issues I have encountered is that it is difficult to find cycling clothing that I love to wear (especially in stores!).

Currently I am conducting a lot of research to look for user insights. This past weekend I went to the South Carolina state championships and collected some good ideas. I will hopefully be in Athens, GA for the crit this coming weekend.

Some questions I am posing:

Is there a product that you wish existed for women who cycle?

What specific changes could be made to existing products?

What is your favorite brand and why?

What is the piece of cycling clothing that makes you feel the best and why?

Any other suggestions are welcome!

If you would like further information on my project, just ask or feel free to email me. kelseyamarks@gmail.com

Thank you!

[sah]

Center back pocket with a zipper.

cycling dress/ long jersey style with pockets... the Terry dress has no pockets.

summer long sleeve jerseys, for sun protection in pretty prints.

relaxed fit without elastic in the sleeves and bottom hem


Favorite jersey long sleeve summer weight jersey by Sheebest no longer for sale. The fabric has a better feel than the Canari summer weight jersey.

Next favorite Terry relaxed style

[Eden]

You'll find a lot of widely varying opinions here....

I'm pretty much totally opposite your first poster.

My fav is Canari - mainly because few other mfg's make stuff that fits me right.

Jerseys - I prefer race cut (close fitting) with good gripper elastic at the waist and sleeves (I want my arm warmers to stay put!). I love Canari's long sleeve winter weight jerseys - they are very close fitting, on the outside the fabric is very smooth, on the inside they are slightly fleecy. Jerseys must have easily accessed pockets - at least 2 preferably 3 - no zippers for me thanks.

Shorts - good leg grippers (again I want my leg warmers to stay put) - no low cut waist!! I don't want to show belly button when I stand up thanks. Medium length - I think I like a 7 or 8 inch inseam. Too long and they come way down almost to my knees to short the end of the leg might rub the saddle.

Designs - at this point I only wear team kit, but before I had preference for jerseys with random/abstract patterns. I don't care for solids at all.

I don't think there really is much out there for guys that isn't made for women.... the only seemingly deficient area is maybe bib shorts? I've never really worn them because our team orders always seem to be men's sizing for bibs and I'm just too small to even try them.

[Becky]

How about jerseys that come in different "bust cuts" (for lack of a better term)? I need a small to properly fit my shoulders, but a medium to fit my bust. I would love to find a cycling jersey that fits all of me, not just one part or another!

I like half gripper elastic in the hem, like some of my Pearl Izumi jerseys have. For me, full elastic rides up all the time, and no elastic rides up and twists when the pockets are full.

[lo123]

#1 - fit. I have an hourglass shape, and finding jerseys to fit is a real nightmare. To get them to fit my bust and hips, I have to order a size up usually. Then it's all flapping around my waist. A 'curvy' line would be nice. I have a Cannondale jersey I got off nashbar for cheap that I LOVE. it's a smooth, silky fabric (I'm a tactile person and love anything soft and smooth--no texture please) and it fits almost perfectly.

Jerseys must have easily accessed pockets - at least 2 preferably 3

++ I can take or leave zippered pockets.

Also, I want legwarmers that look like fishnets. But I'm probably the only one.

I would totally rock that look! Want!


Elastic on arm bands drives me batty. My arms are much bigger proportionally to the rest of me. I've got one that feels like it's cutting off my circulation! If you must have elastic arm bands, why not make it adjustable?

[ny biker]

#1 - fit. I have an hourglass shape, and finding jerseys to fit is a real nightmare. To get them to fit my bust and hips, I have to order a size up usually. Then it's all flapping around my waist. A 'curvy' line would be nice.

And on me, an hourglass shape looks ridiculous. I have broad shoulders and a flat chest. Last year I bought a Shebeest jersey that fits except the boob area is too big. It screams "I am too flat to fill this out."

Honestly I think every body is so different it would be impossible to make enough different cuts to fit everyone.

Personally I am most interested in being comfortable. That Shebeest jersey is made from good technical fabric and is practical so I overlook the fact that is does not fit perfectly.

I want to be comfortable on long rides on hot, humid days. I need at least one pocket in back of my jersey.

I want Shebeest to go back to making their old century chamois.

I want orange socks.

[shootingstar]

cycling dress/ long jersey style with pockets... the Terry dress has no pockets.

summer long sleeve jerseys, for sun protection in pretty prints.

relaxed fit without elastic in the sleeves and bottom hem

+1 More selection styles in cycling dress with skort piece or shorts underneath. And style selection that includes short-sleeves, not just sleeveless. Being in the Northwest Pacific Coast, it never gets so hot in summer that sleeveless dresses is critical compared to other regions in Canada/U.S.

I need the pocket (with a zipper) to put in my key & security card s since I cycle down into underground parking garages where bikes are locked up.

I actually have never understood the main reason to have fitted elastic at bottom hem on cycling jersey. To prevent blowing around in wind/improve aerodynamic properties?? Usually alot of cycling shorts/long tights aren't too low rise for draftiness. The elasticized cycling jersey hem flatters VERY few people. Instead it emphasizes tummies on men and women.

I also agree to Eden's cycling shorts with no need to show belly button /or have low-rise shorts. And this is coming from myself, who is already slim so it's not about how I look to "cover up" my tummy.

Unlike some, I wear my cycling jerseys (long & short-sleeved) abit looser, not entirely fitted. I like cycling jerseys with A-line side cut for abit of shape at least. The reason why I don't like them tight against me (even though I'm 97 lbs.):

a) In case I wear a bra that's too thin, my boob headlights won't show too much in coolness.

b) After eating a nice meal after getting to place by bike, my stomach expands.

c) I feel WAY HOTTER in tight tops in summer heat especially temp. over 80 degrees F. For 85-90 F, just forget it. I hate tight tops when cycling / hiking/walking around in high temp.

d) I don't wear sleeveless tops when I cycle...I'm out in the sun for hours during cycling season. I never have. I would like to protect my skin on upper abdomen. I already had a false skin melanoma scare related to my face.

Yes, I am not typical, especially on d) but now into my 18th yr. of regular cycling I am SO GLAD I don't wear sleeveless cycling wear. Now I see women my age, the skin around their upper body, affected greatly by sun....

[Eden]

I actually have never understood the main reason to have fitted elastic at bottom hem on cycling jersey. To prevent blowing around in wind/improve aerodynamic properties?? Usually alot of cycling shorts/long tights aren't too low rise for draftiness. The elasticized cycling jersey hem flatters VERY few people. Instead it emphasizes tummies on men and women.

Maybe it is because of my body shape (short torso, narrow waist), but I don't understand why you wouldn't want elastic..... I *hate* a flappy jersey. I want it to be close cut and to stay put - so gripper elastic please!

[shootingstar]

Maybe it is because of my body shape (short torso, narrow waist), but I don't understand why you wouldn't want elastic..... I *hate* a flappy jersey. I want it to be close cut and to stay put - so gripper elastic please!

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ighlight=skort This jersey fit on me in photo, is approximately how I prefer fit of a jersey. A bit looser. It has a bottom elastic hem which I actually don't care for.

I'm probably not typical --many women of my weight /bone frame, enjoy wearing tight upper body clothing fit for exercise/fitness purposes. I don't. I end up thinking too much about how I look/feel self-conscious instead of focusing /enjoying the bike ride/yoga etc. That is the last thing I want to do while engaging in some sort of exercise.

[Eden]

[url]
I'm probably not typical --many women of my weight /bone frame, enjoy wearing tight upper body clothing fit for exercise/fitness purposes. I don't. I end up thinking too much about how I look/feel self-conscious instead of focusing /enjoying the bike ride/yoga etc. That is the last thing I want to do while engaging in some sort of exercise.

I don't like a close fit jersey because I'm vain..... I don't like the feel of the material flapping all around.... remember too that I'm not a casual rider, I race and ride hard. I'm looking for clothing that does its job and stays put without bunching or binding anywhere. Some of the best feeling clothing is certainly not the most flattering..... Skin suits for TT's feel terrific - not particularly flattering even if you do have a decent body...

[MommyBird]

I don't have much to add on clothing choices. I am a former injured runner who recently took up cycling. Needless to say, I am still trying to figure out cycling clothing.

But I live in GA and I am so bummed that I can't go to the Twilight Crit. in Athens. I haven't been for years and now that I am cycling again I really want to go.
Well, I have a good conflict. I will be watching my boys at the Dogwood Regatta in Oak Ridge, TN. My DH and I will be on our Mt bikes following the races on the bike path.

Hope you get a lot of good tips. I'll be reading and learning along the way.

[kamkam]

From the people I have talked to it seems like there are two different groups. One group likes pink/purple, and floral cycling clothes, and the other prefers a more streamlined look with color blocks/solids.
However, both groups want clothing that is formed specifically for a woman's body! (which should not be too much to ask for!)
Do you think this is accurate?

What about skorts? Are they very popular? And for what sorts of rides?

[moderncyclista]

Pockets. Deep pockets. Jerseys not too tight. I prefer color blocks, solids. I don't ride in skorts. But shants, capris, or what ever you call-em. Hells yes. Try and make stuff that fits "real" women. Sometimes clothing manufacturers cater to such a small segment of the population. Pffft. Sorry. Off my soap-box for now.

[Selkie]

Gore makes (or made) shorts with a small pocket on the thigh -- TE might still sell them. I prefer cycling shorts w/out the pocket, though, because jersey pockets are sufficient to hold my cell phone, pepper spray, house key, etc.

Bib shorts, please, made of supportive, quality fabric.

Jerseys---no elastic anywhere. I prefer club (looser but not baggy) cut over race cut.

Quality is my main thing when it comes to clothing. For cycling clothes, Exte Ondo is a good example of a manufacturer that makes high-quality stuff, from the design to the fabric to the workmanship. My beef w/EO, however, is that it uses elastic in jerseys. I'll buy only their winter jerseys for that reason---the elastic in the winter line is limited to the waist and is loose, not slide-up binding.

Also, please no vanity sizing. It's getting more and more difficult for petite women to find clothes that fit --- what used to be a size small is now an x-small or xx-small (by petite I don't mean height, although I'm sure ladies 5'3" and under have difficulties finding tights that aren't too long).

[MommyBird]

My issue with the skorts that I have seen is that the "short" portion is extremely short. It seems to defeat the purpose somewhat. Your bum is covered but the short hits at the worst part of the leg and the sausage and cellulite exposure tends to be enhanced instead of hidden.
I was thinking about a pair for casual/sightseeing rides but after seeing multiple women in them at the rides lately, I have pretty much written them off.

I guess I would request some longer skorts with 5-8" legs. The skirt could still be short though. Sort of that 80s look.