jersey fashion & age

[Biciclista]

Off the bike I've been fairly conservative dresser..and for the past decade, it's probably because I've become more lazy /oblivious to current fashion trends.

And because I'm small boned and small up top, the older woman trying to show cleavage, etc. syndrome...will never apply to me.

So I will turn 50 in 2 wks. ..at this moment I am wearing a long-sleeved poly-kayak like bright blue pullover top with little high neck collar and little "BARE" floral logo festooned across my tiny covered up chest. It is not tight-fitting top on me. And a mini lycra cycling black skort.
It is 80 degrees F. I can't be bothered to tan my arms...especially after 2 hrs. of fab. whale-watching at sea this morning!

Even here in Hawaii, I won't be wearing a crop tank top nor bikini top. I know my beauty limits and what I don't look good in.

ha, look who's bragging about being in Hawaii!!

[OakLeaf]

That comment was the weirdest one of the thread to me, ...!

I'm fairly small busted but there are definitely tops I can't wear. Rectangular prints is what comes immediately to mind. IMO, few things look more ridiculous than a trapezoid that's meant to be a rectangle, all stretched out on top and skinny at the waist.

[ClockworkOrange]

Hey Miranda, wear what you feel happy in.

I seem to have spent most of my life worrying about what other people think, from parents to husband etc. Once I hit 50 and met my current partner, I suddenly felt free.

My favourite attire on my bike in the summer use to be a vest top, shorts, flip flops and no helmet.........DON'T SHOUT, I always wear a helmet thanks to you guys and trainers.

I love 'mad' shoes, my favourite boots are a pair of Dr Martens, that are black with white blobs, just like a dalmation dog!

I suppose the one thing I would not wear is anything too short, as I have gross legs.

Clock

[beccaB]

Um, if that's you in your avatar, I don't see anything "strangely large". Look pretty normal to me.

Me, I was a C cup when I was 15!

Karen

I'm large enough to be somewhat uncomfortable doing things like..running.. although I did that for years and had to wear 2 bras.(DD) I usually wear a major masher bra, so some of that is hidden. I find myself wearing athletic bras all the time, because I hate to take off clothes and put other clothes on to workout in. And a COLD underwire bra is a very bad thing!

[beccaB]

I was a B/C by 9th grade and a full C all through high school. Now I am a D and honestly hate having my breast complimented most days. To me they just are there, make it hard to fit a dress that fits my waist, make things that shouldn't be revealing borderline indecent. I guess when they were dropped on you starting in late elementary school they don't always seem like a gift.

Funny thing is mushed in a sports bra they don't bother me, I have never worried about a jersey and my chest. That comment was the weirdest one of the thread to me, not the age appropriateness of a jersey!

Another thing is that even women's jerseys are not accomodating enough for women that are well endowed, but fairly thin. I don't like to feel mashed, because I'm already being mashed by my bra.

[bikerHen]

They're only going to laugh at you if they can see your butt crack through your worn out shorts.

I've seen that! On a hairy guy. It's not pretty.

I'm turn another year older, to a matronly 53, in a couple of weeks. While I do find myself slighty more conservative about street clothes. I don't care all that much about my biking clothes. I avoid cute in all things, but love bright, bold and funky. I figure I can get away with the bright and bold for saftey reasons. And anyone who really knows me understands the funky. As for the rest of world; when I turned 50 I decided I don't care about the rest of the world. bikerHen

[Miranda]

I'm large enough to be somewhat uncomfortable doing things like..running.. although I did that for years and had to wear 2 bras.(DD) I usually wear a major masher bra, so some of that is hidden. I find myself wearing athletic bras all the time, because I hate to take off clothes and put other clothes on to workout in. And a COLD underwire bra is a very bad thing!

Another thing is that even women's jerseys are not accomodating enough for women that are well endowed, but fairly thin. I don't like to feel mashed, because I'm already being mashed by my bra.

I was so happy to see TE start carrying some of the recent bra brands for larger bust. A bra I own in every color from this web site is that CWX d/dd support bra. I wear a 34D in it. CWX is a great brand (sports spin off of Wacoal, wonderful quality regular bra). The internal strapping support is awesome in the CWX.

I have such a long torso, the Enell is a challenge for me. The Enell is like the freakin straight jacket of sports bras if you can get it to fit right. Unfortunately it needs a wee bit more vertical length for me. I have the beautiful pink Hope version of it in a TE order at home. It's so lovely, I want to keep it, though I know I should send it back *sigh*.

Another brand I love is Shock Absorbers. It's a UK brand. I buy it from FigLeaves.com. A site that is just as wonderful with selection and customer service as TE. The best thing is that the brand offers a wide range of small band and larger cup size combo bras. My "usual' bra from SA has vertical length adjustment--in a racer back. That's tough to find. I can't imagine trying to ride in the drops without a racer back type of bra.

As far as jersey fashion, the bustline does make a diff. Though maybe not age specific I guess. My shoulders are broader for being thin. That, plus the girls, jerseys can be too tight, or graphics popping out in ways you don't really want them to. Well... I suppose it could be age looked upon by some people... like tight stuff is not so appropriate for a woman of age. But, I figure it's just the way you are, and the jersey is suppose to be fitted. If people's minds go to the gutter that's their own doing.

One example is a Cannodale jersey I ordered recently from TE, "Sprout" jersery. I love Cannodale cuz it's longer for my torso. But one thought before seeing it in person was "hmmm, I wonder if that sprout flower graphic is going to be right over my bewb". It wasn't, btw. Just the zipper is funky. Too bad, cute fun bright jersey otherwise.

OH... my puppies, btw, are above the girls... so actually I think they balance things out.

Last of the long wind about busts in jerseys is bra color...
I have really wanted just a plain all white jersey for a while (my road bike is mostly white). But, I worry about the white becoming see through with sweat... and a white bra. I have really thought about wearing a black bra under the white jersey. That's not to say "woot hoot, look at my sexaaay black bra", BUT... the black would not become see through when wet.

Maybe the print bling would go without question then in comparison.

[Miranda]

Thanks ladies for those of you that chimed in some more.

Gheez, women have our challenges to work around in our clothes besides the posts about the hairy guys whose shorts are worn out.

Lordy, I was pondering if I was too old to wear something. These boys aren't even thinking if 'their boys' are covered from the rear view.

I have never witnessed that to date. The very thought just makes me want to stick a tire lever in my eye.

Btw, not to be of insult to our male friends here... I'm sure that t'aint a pretty sight trying to ride behind a woman either.

[OakLeaf]

But, I worry about the white becoming see through with sweat... and a white bra.

FWIW, I sweat like... well, as I said in another thread, I get in the shower to dry off. I have yet to have a bra that has any supportive value whatever become "see-through," and I have several plain white ones. The supporting fabric is just too heavy to be transparent.

[Miranda]

FWIW, I sweat like... well, as I said in another thread, I get in the shower to dry off. I have yet to have a bra that has any supportive value whatever become "see-through," and I have several plain white ones. The supporting fabric is just too heavy to be transparent.

Thx Oakleaf, that's good to know.

It's bad enough with road rage drivers, but then there's the occasional ones that "woot hoot, hey baby, nice (whatever)" while they pass. A couple times I've had the car turn around. That freaks me out to ride straight towards the nearest house etc.

A male friend commented that he thought the drivers were even meaner the nicer dressed you are (meaning, more stylish jersey, etc.). I just think about the "woot hoot, hey baby" cars in a wet t-shirt type contest jersey/bra situation makes me go ewwwe, oh no.

You are right. The good support bras are usually good material.

[Zen]

I've seen that! On a hairy guy. It's not pretty.

Thanks for that mental image
I'll probably have nightmares tonight.

[beccaB]

Miranda,
Sounds like I'm built kinda like you. I need wires in my bras though, and a lot of them don't have that. Title 9 has some that work well for me. I know this isn't what this origional thread was about, but in order to get the bra to do what it is supposed to, it cuts into the flesh around my rib cage and under my arms, and looks quite unnatractive on me, especially with a form fitting bike jersey. Wild designs actually help to hide that. I wasn't always as muscular as I am now, and a few years ago I lost some weight FAST and then put some of it back on and redistributed almost everything on me. It's weird, but I weigh A LOT but am fitter than I have ever been. I just hate the way the bras cut into that flesh.

[ilima]

All's fair in love and bike jerseys.

There is no upper age limit for wearing loudly patterned jerseys.

[fatbottomedgurl]

I am way less conservative than when I was in my 30s. Got my nose pierced on my 45th birthday last year. I'm a college librarian. I certainly don't fit that stereotype! And I feel awesome flying along at 18, 25, 40 mph in my bright jerseys. At 30 I was homebound and breastfeeding. At 45 I'm fit and free!

[shootingstar]

To answer on the jersey style for self only:

Tend to prefer solid coloured jerseys. If there is a design or logo, make it 1 logo or a design that is not too huge nor cluttered. On a small person, it just looks cluttered and overwhelming on me.

Though I do avoid solid pink jerseys, it is possible I could consider something on the cute side, if small design. It's a cycling jersey, not to be worn in the board room. And I'm not out there to race anyone.

Most likely I probably look more "cool" in cycling gear vs. my street clothing.