Clothing RANT

[VeloVT]

In addition to Sporthill (a great suggestion), check out:

--Hind
--Craft
--Swix (yes, the wax co makes xc clothing, too).
--Patagonia

I have tapered, fairly traditional rise, semi-fitted pants in a variety of weights from both Craft and Hind, some with zippered pockets. Not super stylish but very functional.

It would also be worth checking out both the Title Nine website and the Athleta website, I think I've seen traditional tapered "track pant" style pants at both.

Some stuff here too:
http://www.newmoonski.com/

[OakLeaf]

It would also be worth checking out both the Title Nine website and the Athleta website,

And I LOVE Athleta's rise rating system! Wish everyone used it.

[Crankin]

I love Athleta because they make almost every pant style in petite sizes. Ones that actually have a 28-29 inch inseam.
But I like the low rise...

[roadie gal]

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

It was actually going to the Patagonia outlet that inspired this rant. They used to make quality outdoor clothing for men AND WOMEN. But now their women's clothing seems to be less functional and more "stylish" and I mean that in the worst sense of the word.

[skhill]

it's the preference for fashion over function in the women's fashion industry that really gets to me... I went shopping for jeans yesterday (none of last winter's clothes fit now, and it's starting to get cold!). Tried on about 12 pairs. Bought nothing. All I want is jeans that fit reasonably well-- small enough at the waist that a belt isn't an absolute necessity and big enough through the thighs to accomodate the muscles all those hours on the bike have brought. Oh, and that have functional pockets and are well constructed. But in my size, jeans are trendy junk for women without muscles.... ARGGGG!!!!!!! I wish I were a few inches shorter and could shop in the boys department.....

end of rant...

[emily_in_nc]

skhill, I don't know what size you are, but I have recently found Talbot's jeans to fit very well. They're attractive, well made, fashionable without being overly trendy, and have moderate cuts (not too low and not "Mom jeans" either!) They have good sales too!

This spring I bought two pairs at full price (which I rarely do) in the store because I was so delighted at the way they fit and looked. I have gotten compliments on these jeans unlike any other jeans I've ever worn, interestingly, and they've held up great to multiple washings. YMMV, of course, but they do have a wide size range (petites, regular, women's, women's petites - not sure about talls, though) and are not extreme in any way.

I share your frustration with jeans buying since I find that a lot of petites are just a smidge too short for me now that boot-cuts are so popular and need to be a bit longer, but regulars are always too long, and I refuse to hem jeans! Talbots Petites are 29" inseams so are perfect on me. I've also had decent luck with Lands End, which hems for free. I can't buy from LL Bean as their petite jeans are just a smidge too short for my inseam.

Good luck in your quest!

[Crankin]

Ahhh, I have been finding that most petite pants have gone to a 30 inch hem. It's driving me crazy. I am a 29 or 28.5. Unless I wear my pants with heels all of he time, they are dragging. So, I end up getting them hemmed.
I am holding on to my jeans from the Loft that I bought 4 years ago. I also have some new ones from Banana Republic, that I love, but they are too long to wear with my casual shoes. I am close to getting them hemmed.

[tc1]

Size 2 pants? Seriously? You should check out title 9. They sell well made and stylin' athletic clothes in tiny sizes. They make me mad because they don't carry plus size stuff because they tried and the stuff didn't sell. They didn't sell because the plus size items were all a dull solid color, not the colorful things they have in their regular clothes.

REI sells all kinds of athletic tights, pants, etc in a variety of sizes including plus.

Eddie Bauer is good for outerwear. They have a huge variety of sizes, from petite to women's. And, their online site gives the dimensions of the item.