sizing...

[Cari]

I'd be excited to read that a size medium fits a 5'5, 140# apple comfortably, since I could then guess that the XL might fit ME without showing off my belly button, or popping the zipper! (personally, I've always been a pear, but seem to have reached capacity in the bottom, and moved on to filling up the middle!)

Different brands have different types of fits, and even within one brand, cuts can vary. I'm a busty pear, so for jerseys, I always go by the chest measurement, and I look for curvy fits. I know how much my favorite jerseys measure across the chest (armpit to armpit) so when I'm shopping, I pay attention to that more than the sizing chart.

If your tummy is bigger than your chest or hips, you may want to measure yourself around the widest point to use that as a guideline, and also look for jerseys that are somewhat long in the body so that you get the coverage you want.

Why don't you call TE and ask them to help? I'm sure that if you give them your chest and waist measurements, and let them know that you're an "apple", they can suggest some brands and styles that will work for you. Off the top of my head, I would suggest the Louis Garneau Silhouette Jersey. It was roomy at the waist and also long. Plus it comes in sizes up to XXL, so you're well within their size range.

Good luck,

Cari

[ima_bleeder]

Wow. I'm 5'5" (okay, 5'4.5") and 140#, and can't comfortably squeeze my giant self into the L Specialized/Pearl Izumi jerseys at the LBS. Very frustrating for me, since I normally fit pretty comfortably into a M when I'm shopping casual shirts.

I haven't had an opportunity recently to try on anything from Shebeest, but I have an old L 'easy v' that fits comfortably (read 'Relaxed'). Shebeest's Spring '07 catalog actually states (and explains) the 'style' of fit(eg: 'Relaxed', 'Classic', or 'Contour') for each of their jersey's. What a great idea! They should go a step further, and allow you to browse Jerseys/Shorts by fit.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Ima,
I am your same basic size too, a pear shape. I too tried on some expensive PI shorts in M in a LBS and found them to be way too tight everywhere. Yet in SheBeest and Terry and LouisGarneau brands, their medium shorts and tights all fit me wonderfully. It's not US that's weird!