Designing Women's Cycling Apparel

[TxDoc]

Some questions I am posing:
Is there a product that you wish existed for women who cycle?

Not really, we have everything we need. I guess I belong to the minority - but I believe that the whole 'women-specific design' thing is a marketing hype. Find things that fit well and who cares whether they are labelled 'men' or 'women'. So, I buy cycling clothes and never look at the tag to see who they are made for. I guess most of my cycling kits are men kits made of bibs and jersey - they fit well and are tight so the wind does not bother me either, I'd say I'm quite happy with what is already available. Maybe I'm lucky enough that I fit on standard sizes and do not need anything special...

What specific changes could be made to existing products?

None that I can think of - I'm happy with most kits I own.

What is your favorite brand and why?

Nalini/MOA team kits are great quality and last forever, as well as Assos - they fit great and last for years and years.

What is the piece of cycling clothing that makes you feel the best and why?

The Assos chronosuit Cs.Uno - the most comfortable and tight piece of clothing ever made.

Good luck with your project!

[zoom-zoom]

Not really, we have everything we need. I guess I belong to the minority - but I believe that the whole 'women-specific design' thing is a marketing hype.

Heh, tell that to my Ds that used to be DDDs. I wouldn't call that marketing hype, I would call that genetics--sports bras aren't hype, either. I would never pay $40+ for something no one sees if it didn't serve an important function.

I have a couple of "unisex" jerseys that I ended up with from the charity organization that my husband is involved with. They fit me horribly and have elastic at the bottom that rides up to my natural, well-defined waist. Were I built with a unisex shape these jerseys would fit me (and I do have female friends who can wear unisex/men's stuff, but they are not shaped at all like me and generally have broader shoulders, smaller boobs, and "fireplug" midsections), but I actually NEED stuff cut for a body that is very different from the body that unisex and men's stuff is cut for.

If the situation were reversed and everything were originally designed for women would men be calling it hype to have jerseys constructed with wider shoulders and larger sizes? Wouldn't they be looking for brake/shifter assemblies to fit their hands comfortably and wider handlebars? I don't think my 6'2", broad-shouldered husband would be comfortable with my 38cm handlebars. I don't think he'd be particularly fond of 6" inseam shorts, either, but I sure like them with my short legs.

[Owlie]

I need jerseys that are cut to fit boobs, and even many of the "women's" jerseys aren't cut that way. (I like my jerseys snug, but not shrink-wrap tight). I think I have ONE jersey now that actually fits in all dimensions. In fact, I have a jersey that might be considered indecent if I went outside in it. Unisex jerseys don't fit me: There's too much extra fabric flapping around for my liking, and the elastic starts riding up if I wear one for more than 5 miles. No one needs to see that.
BF's mom, on the other hand, can get away with wearing men's jerseys, and she wears them well. She's smaller than I am, but she's also less curvy.

[Crankin]

I couldn't wear men's stuff, either. Heck, I can't even wear size small jerseys. Most of my jerseys are Terry, because they make all of their jerseys in x-small, no elastic, and they don't puff out over my small chest. I also like Voler jerseys, too. I like my jerseys tight.
There are other jerseys that fit me, but not with the regularity that Terry and Voler do. I couldn't wear the small sized, women specific jersey from Primal that I got from the tour I went on. It was huge in the boob area. I gave it to someone who needed it instead of the M she had ordered. They are going to send me another one and I will have it altered, since I like the print, etc.

[Catrin]

I need jerseys that are cut to fit boobs, and even many of the "women's" jerseys aren't cut that way. (I like my jerseys snug, but not shrink-wrap tight). I think I have ONE jersey now that actually fits in all dimensions. In fact, I have a jersey that might be considered indecent if I went outside in it. Unisex jerseys don't fit me....

Owlie, it sounds like we have very similar closets! I have one jersey that I love to LOOK at, and it feels good on my skin, but it was NOT made with boobs in mind! I would be quite uncomfortable to wear it in public. I have had some luck with a Terry jersey (though not the one I wanted the most), and I have a Cannondale jersey as well that works for me, but I just cannot find another sleeveless jersey that seems to work - the opening for the arms are much too large - the better it fits my boobs the larger the opening seems to be...

[zoom-zoom]

the opening for the arms are much too large - the better it fits my boobs the larger the opening seems to be...

And when they fit my boobs they are too big everywhere else...shoulders, waist, length, armholes...