jersey fashion & age

[Miranda]

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.

Omg those bra wires just sux!

I really need a bra with a wire, but I have a rib injury issue with some unhappy scar tissue/nerve type pain that is RIGHT where my bra band goes. The wires give me total agony. Pretty much the only bra I wear is a soft one.

Wacoal's "Everyday" bra that's soft cup fits like a sports bra and has an internal sling system and nice wide band for support. It's pretty ugly basic looking but very comfortable and supportive (fits wide range of sizes). It's needs to come high up to fit "right". First I owned it in a 34D and felt pain discomfort from lack of support. Then in the proper size, I wear it in a 34DDD. I really don't look that big. Most store clerks guess me at a B/C depending on my outfit top.

I do get that Title 9 flyer too and have thought about their bras. The funny thing I found is that they don't list the actual maker. The Enell is on there. So is the CWX. (both non-wires) I have just never odered from them as I am very comfy with how things work at TE and FigLeaves.

I feel for you. It should not hurt to wear a bra. If Wacoal ever quits making the "everyday" bra I don't know what I'll do (and believe you me I have tried A LOT).

On the jerseys, I agree the prints hide stuff. My new hairdressers rides some and sews well as a hobby. She has even made her own bike shorts. I'm going to get some tips from her on alterations (I can sew just a lil) and might dive into altering my stuff to fit better. If you knew of someone that could sew, that might help.

I think most professional racers get their stuff custome altered? Sometimes as I'm frustrated trying on jerseys that don't fit in the lbs I wonder if there's a market for alterations. If I could sew well enough, I'd ask the owner to put up a biz service contact for any takers on alterations. Some guys would probably like that..."oh yea, I have my own personal seamstress taylor fit my gear" . Just my imagination working OT.

[Chile Pepper]

My jerseys are all hi-viz yellow, hi-viz yellow and hi-viz yellow.

This is my approach too. I don't care what I look like on the bike, as long as the drivers can see me.

Oakleaf--what are your favorites?

[Biciclista]

speaking of visibility, check this out: this is my husband, a shot i took this morning. He is buying me one of these sashes. how's that for visibility?

the first stripe on his back is his rainy pass raincoat, in screaming yellow orange which you can hardly see, but you can see the reflective strip.
The next stripe is from a sash that the Seattle Randonneurs sells, and I will have my own soon.

[OakLeaf]

Oakleaf--what are your favorites?

I have some Brooks NightLife long sleeve jerseys and some Voler Night Bright short sleeve ones. Both of those have some reflective material as well as the screaming yellow color, but they could definitely have more IMO.

I also have a PI short sleeve jersey (some years they offer them in screaming yellow, some years not), but it's not one of my favorites - too short, no reflective accents, and only two rear pockets. (With only two pockets I have to carry at least two gels even on a short ride, just carry them, to balance my phone. )

[Chile Pepper]

I also have a PI short sleeve jersey (some years they offer them in screaming yellow, some years not), but it's not one of my favorites - too short, no reflective accents, and only two rear pockets.

That's exactly how I feel about the Exte Ondo I bought this year. I like the fabric and the fit (other than the length), but I'd like to try something else. And the shops never have them when I'm in the US, so I'm stuck ordering online.

[Zen]

speaking of visibility, check this out: this is my husband, a shot i took this morning.

What kind of lights is he running (and why not red)?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

What kind of lights is he running (and why not red)?

All those glowing white things you see there are not lights, but are reflective patches of one kind or another, as seen when car headlights shine on them. (The two big lower ones look to me to be reflective triangle patches on the backs of his panniers?)

Screaming yellow is good for daytime biking, lights and reflective patches are good for riding after dark.
Here's what a screaming yellow top does for you in the daytime, visibility-wise:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3330/...b7f8a3cdf3.jpg

[Skierchickie]

Okay, I've gotta weigh in on the original question. I am 43. I tend to dress pretty casually / quietly. Usually plain, with no patterns (almost NEVER any prints). HOWEVER, bike jerseys are a great place to go crazy! I don't go too crazy, but I do go for more fun colors and designs than in my regular clothes. One of my favorites is a sleeveless Primal Wear Don't Bug Me jersey (black with green vines and ladybugs all over it, with a little orange VW Beetle hidden among them). I guess most of my others are a lot plainer than that, but still more fun colors than my street clothes. Every once in a while a jersey just calls out to me, and if it isn't too expensive, I'll get it. I'm more concerned about appropriate fit than colors.

In my opinion, age has nothing to do with print and colors in bike / running / skiing clothes. Don't worry about it - dress fun for having fun.

My most outlandish article of clothing? A Hot Chillys ski race suit that is plain black on the lower half (like tights), and black and white fake snakeskin on the top half. I love it, but never wear it because it is kinda snug these days, and it is one piece (hard to deal with in those last-minute porta-potty stops). The weirdest part is the crotch zipper - I've always been afraid the nylon zipper will a) suddenly give way in a crash, or b) be way too noticeable to people lined up in the row behind me. If it were two-piece, I'd wear it in all my ski races.

[Biciclista]

My most outlandish article of clothing? A Hot Chillys ski race suit that is plain black on the lower half (like tights), and black and white fake snakeskin on the top half. I love it, but never wear it because it is kinda snug these days, and it is one piece (hard to deal with in those last-minute porta-potty stops). The weirdest part is the crotch zipper - I've always been afraid the nylon zipper will a) suddenly give way in a crash, or b) be way too noticeable to people lined up in the row behind me. If it were two-piece, I'd wear it in all my ski races.

pictures please?

and Zen, Lisa is right; those are his panniers. He does have red lights, one on his helmet and one on his bike. They clearly aren't reflective though.

[Brandi]

I love funky clothes and don't care what people think. As a matter of fact i think people expect it from me. But I am an artist too so i can get away with being a little funky. I love unusual tee's. I have great collection. I wear jeans and an out there tee a lot. With a cool necklace and black sued chuck tailor like tennis shoes or my red keen sandles. It makes me happy!

[tantrumbean]

I agree, wear whatever you like, whatever your age. Dress codes are bad enough when you have to stick to them at work, so might as well have some fun on the bike. I like cool jerseys, hate most of the girlie frilly ones I have to admit, but fortunately, being 6 foot, a small men's tends to fit me perfectly. Really like the fosca ones, this one is next on my shopping list (AND it matches my water bottles!!! ):

http://www.foska.com/acatalog/Pirate_Road.html

[malkin]

Wear what you like; like what you wear.

[Skierchickie]

Okay Mimi - you asked for pix.

[Zen]

Ooh! I like that!

[salsabike]

I had to go running in the neighborhood at night last week, and I borrowed Chris' Randonneur sash--just like the one you see in the pic above of Biciclista's husband. I was SEEN by every car. It was very reassuring. I broke my own rule of never wearing something you don't do/haven't earned (read: ride shirts), but boy was it useful.

And, PS, I think people should wear what they like. Life's too short to not have fun with that kind of thing. And I LOVE the snakeskin-look ski suit.

That being said....I am a pretty quiet dresser on the bike, myself. Personal inclination, I guess.