Castelli Sizing

[Triskeliongirl]

Can someone tell how castelli sizing works, rel. to PI and shebeest. I have heard it is euro and you need to size up, but their measurement charts suggest they actually run larger than PI and shebeest. How are they on L. I am usually a S but some brands smalls are too short on me. Are they long or short smalls?

[ChelseaGirl]

Hi Triskeliongirl,

I'm not sure if you are talking about length for a jersey or for bottoms, but I can tell you about Castelli tops. As a reference point, I am 99% of the time a size small in street clothes tops. But when it comes to cycling jerseys and jackets, I like a size medium. Baselayers are always a size small for me.

With Pearl Izumi, Sheila Moon, and Canari my jerseys are all size medium. For PI, I could do a size small. But when it comes to Castelli jerseys, a medium is a must! The biggest difference is in the bodice or torso area. Castelli is much more form fitting in that area. As far as length in a Castelli jersey, I do not notice any difference between the various brands.

As for jackets, my rule of thumb is a medium since it is going over (most likely) a jersey and a baselayer. I have 2 PI jackets in medium, and they are just right. My one Castelli jacket: I had to exchange the medium for a size large!

Sorry to ramble on - you have it right when you say Euro sizing with Castelli. Castelli fits much more closely to the body. Other brands like PI are more forgiving. The further you move away from your skin in layering with Castelli might make a difference. So if you're looking at a Castelli jacket that states Euro Fit, you might want to up it one size from your normal jacket size.

Hope that helps

[Becky]

CG had it right. Castelli redid their sizing last year. In 2008 and later Castelli, I wear a medium. In their earlier stuff, I need a large to accomodate my bust. In other brands (Pearl, Primal, Fox, etc.), I consistently wear a medium. My castelli jerseys are cut closer than my Pearl ones, more of a race fit, especially across the bust. It's also a little shorter than my Pearl stuff.

[missjulied]

I agree on sizing up with Castelli jerseys, but I got their Battiti jacket this winter and I had to return it for a smaller size.

[shootingstar]

Would tend to think Castelli is for a sleeker, petite fit. I wear their small size and x-small in Pearl Izumi. And I am small and short, with a narrow back width and small bust.

[VeloVT]

Seems I'm the lone dissenter. I don't have any 2008 Castelli pieces, but I have quite a few 2006 and 2007 Castelli jerseys (and shorts), and I do NOT need to size up from my normal size. I'm a small in Shebeest, a small in Gore, a small in Sugoi, and a small in Castelli. Pearl Izumi jerseys just don't fit me. The smalls *fit*, but are way too short; the mediums are a better length but are baggy and shapeless on me. I wear a medium in PI jackets, though, for shoulder room (but a small in Sugoi -- haven't tried Castelli jackets).

I also do not need to size up from my normal size in Etxe Ondo, which a lot of folks seem to advocate. This may be related, I don't know.

I'm about a size 4, but I have a small bust (33" around the fullest part, A cup). This may have something to do with it. I also like a sleek fit. But, I really don't find the fit of (older) Castelli THAT different from other brands. I really doubt I could squeeze into an XS Shebeest jersey, for instance.

YMMV.

I find Castelli jerseys are longer than PI, Shebeest or Sugoi in the torso. I also have problems sometimes with jerseys being too short, and that has not been a problem with my Castelli jerseys. (Gore is also good for length).

I'm guessing I will be an XS in the new Castelli sizing. I think this is a problem because at 5'6" and broad shoulders, I'm bigger than a lot of women cyclists. Not sure exactly what they're supposed to do.

[shootingstar]

Liza you must be slim overall.

I'm wearing a Castelli...at 5'1". Truly I'm small..up top. Shirt must be 3-4 yrs. old. I still wear it.

[shootingstar]

I prefer to wear my jerseys more loosely to de-emphasize the top part of me, which is not difficult thing for me to do. I would consider this jersey just appropriately loose for my purposes.

Besides if I have a huge meal afterwards after a ride, my bloated stomach won't look too obvious. Castelli has nice designs..except for their annoying bottom elastic and at the arms.

(As you can guess, I would have zero interest in wearing cropped tank tops.)

[VeloVT]

Shootingstar, that's a great picture. You look fantastic.

I doubt I am slimmer overall than you. But your picture is helpful -- it illustrates that there are significant differences in fit preference. I'm not sure if I have a good picture of me in a Castelli jersey -- but mine are quite a bit tighter than that through the torso.

[VeloVT]

For comparison. Shootingstar is far more photogenic than I am , but here is a Gore jersey that fits the way my Castelli jerseys fit -- so this is basically how a Castelli jersey fits if you don't size up. (Unfortunately I don't have a picture of me in any Castelli jerseys -- the fit is really the same on me, but I think the sheerness of the mesh of this jersey makes it look tighter which is maybe misleading).




However, I really think my small Shebeest, etc jerseys fit this way too... So while these pictures show that I like my jerseys slimmer, I'm not sure they show that Castelli is actually that much smaller than other brands...

[Crystal]

I'm pretty petite and found that castelli fits better than any other brand. I wear an xs in castelli, pearl izumi, giordana, etc. I have found that my castelli jerseys run a little slimmer and longer than pearl izumi, which fit me really boxy. Castelli makes my favorite fitting clothing, probably because it is designed by a woman who rumor has it also designs for Armani.

[Biciclista]

Liza you must be slim overall.

I'm wearing a Castelli...at 5'1". Truly I'm small..up top. Shirt must be 3-4 yrs. old. I still wear it.

Girl, you're small ALL OVER!

[shootingstar]

Any white jersey is a no-no for me. Liza can afford to be daring.

My stomach expands up to 6 inches on a good meal...like now after 2 soup bowls of homemade beet soup.

[Triskeliongirl]

Thanks for all the great advice. I had been thinking about doing a mail order, but wasn't sure so I was in my LBS today for something and they had some castelli jerseys so I decided to try them on. I don't think the issue is that they run 'small' or are 'euro sized' they are just not designed for my body type. The medium fit my bust, but was loose everywhere else, and the small was too tight in the bust, but fit everywhere else. The cut was just not flattering for my body type. Oh well, at least I didn't do a mail order that I have to return.