I think the photo could be seen as a work of art. But it was intended to sell jerseys for women. A 'serious' vendor of gear (for lack of a better description). It would be something I would expect from someone targeting the casual rider, or someone that wants to look like a rider?! Is there such a thing? Do 20 somethings wear PI gear to raves and night clubs now?? Sounds ridiculous but I would love to know what they are trying to say with that ad.

What rubs me the wrong way is PI is always sooooo smallllll...I'm a 38D (ha NO PUN intended!). It rubs me the wrong way because not all women that ride look like that and furthermore, any woman that seriously rides isn't going to wear that because...she just isn't. It's so unrealistic it is my big pet peeve with athletic gear in general. To me, they are targeting the 'look at me' crowd vs the 'is it drifit and will I be comfortable' crowd. I find that more and more with athletic wear. Sure it looks good but start pounding over rocks and boy...well the girls would be pretty angry. Why can't they just focus on making stuff that fits right for all women?
I wrote half a letter but haven't finished it. I agree, vote with the pocketbook. I'm returning a pair of PI gloves to REI as soon as I can, not because of the ad, but because they are horrible. Seems they should focus on getting that padding right instead of playing the tata card.