the Title Nine catalog makes me feel so inadequate

[Grog]

Wow, I feel the opposite! Compared to the Assos model or the trashy cat model, the title 9 women are huge. Look at the pole vaulter on page 27, she's over 30, not wearing makeup, has scars on her knees, and legs which are muscular, not emaciated. Sure, I'll never look like the women they have modeling swimsuits, but I SO appreciate that they use women that actually DO the sports they're shown doing. Most athletic apparel companies (cycling companies especially), use models who couldn't pedal a bike 2 miles. They may be too far in the other direction, but I'd rather see "super women" role models in their catalog than emaciated anorexic (normal) models.

I kind of feel like Runnergirl. Isn't it inspiring to see over-achieving women in strong positions once in a while?

[Veronica]

I do like that they are real women. And I agree they do seem to be real athletes. But, they do seem like super women as Jo pointed out. I don't have kids and between my job, training for my doubles and sleeping, I don't have a lot of time for learning another language or creating handbags. I barely have time to keep my house in reasonable order.

As far as their clothes... I'm one of those frumpy chicks who has to wear "mom jeans" 'cause my waist is too small for my thighs. I've tried a few of their pants and skirts and had to send them back. I do have a skort from them I love and some loose fitting tights.

V.

[CorsairMac]

I haven't seen their catalogue but I have to agree with the general posts here:

I too am happy to see women in their field and read about their achievements but I would love just once in while to see the avg joe woman (avg jane?)....ya know, the one with no college degree, working hard to make ends meet maybe single or not, maybe working a dead-end job even but she's still working every day, maybe single parent, has a body that Rubens would've used in his paintings instead of Victoria Secrets - coz let me tell ya, if she looks good on those Clothes - I would .....welll ok...maybe not look Good.....but I would know they would work for me!
(course I'm also the one that wants to see a car commercial where - just once - it isn't a professional driver on a closed course!)


and Queen - I was in stitches reading your "bio", but I gotta tell ya hun - with the field you work in, you're one of those amazing women in my eyes!

[maillotpois]

As far as their clothes... I'm one of those frumpy chicks who has to wear "mom jeans" 'cause my waist is too small for my thighs.

V.

LOL!! I have the SAME issue!! And boy is it hard to find jeans!!!

I do like to look at the T9 stuff, but I have never ordered anything from them. I prefer to go to REI and try stuff on.

[Crankin]

I dislike them for other reasons. Yea, the super achievers are a little unrealistic, but I once wrote them an email saying I would love to buy some of their clothes (after buying a couple of things), but nothing fit, because they don't carry extra smalls or petites. I know there are other women who are shorter than five foot two. I can't even wear their basic running pants or pants for the gym. They wrote me back a snotty email saying essentially that no one had ever complained before. So, I never bought anything from them again. I went to their store when I was in Boulder a couple of years ago. It was nothing special. Athleta now has almost all of their pants in petites and they carry extra smalls in their shirts. I spend my money there or at Terry.
Speaking of super achievers, has anyone seen the magazine called something like Her Sports? I bought it at EMS and it was full of great articles, but also full of women who were as old as me or older, taught 5 Pilates classes a week, surfed, ran marathons, tris, etc. I don't think I couold live up to that...

[Running Mommy]

For all you Nor cal girlz... Athleta is located in Petaluma and they have warehouse sales every once in awhile. You can get some GREAT deals. Might be worth checking into. I'd say it would also be worth a trip up for you bay area girls. You could always bring your bike and ride Healsdburg wine country after you shop...
NOW- as for T9. A couple of things.. First their stuff is super expensive. I'm sorry I'd rather put my coin into HARDWARE such as a bike or a new tri toy. The only thing I'm willing to put down some serious coin on is comfy "in the saddle all day" shorts. Also, I'm a 14-16 depending on what it is and they really don't carry that much in the way of larger sizes. I'm 5'1" but I'm built like a stump. I have huge log legs and a pouchy tummy. I'm cursed! But the xl's are hard to come by in that catalogue. And while the large may fit, I'm not into taking chances!
And yeah, I'll NEVER look like one of their models. But thats ok. I've learned to embrace my inner stumpiness!