Shopping For Clothing

[Bethany1]

I need some clothing now that it's getting colder. My problem is that most shops have men in them and they have no clue on how something should fit for a woman. I know it's uncomfortable for them as it is for me from the looks on their faces when I ask how something should fit.

I'm also overwhelmed by all that is out there online and the lack of what's in the stores for women. Then there is the issue of quality. I bought a pair of cycling shorts that were 100 dollars and my first time using them I ripped a small hole in them when I got up off the front porch. I felt sick. I hand sewed the hole shut and figured no one was going to see anything over the jersey anyway. I now use mountain bike shorts so I can sit down without ruining my clothes.

I thought by now I'd be over feeling self-conscious in cycling clothing, but I'm not. Given my experience with the shorts, do they make long pants that don't get caught in the chain so I can sit down if needed and not worry about ripping holes? I get the Lycra thing. They just don't hold up if you need to sit down.

[Crankin]

I've never had shorts rip from sitting. It is possible that you got just a defective pair.
Cold weather gear is very individual, depending on your tolerance for cold and your sweat rate! Most people go for layers on the top. As far as bottoms, I use regular cycling shorts under thermal running tights, of which I have 2 different weights. I also have a pair of knickers as well as knee warmers. Wool socks of varying thickness, toe covers, booties, or winter cycling shoes. I have everything from arm warmers to wear with short sleeved jerseys, regular long sleeved jerseys, thermal LS jerseys of varying weights, a wind jacket, and a very thin, but windproof and warm Gore cycling jacket for winter, with pit zips. Oh, and base layers, both LS and sleeveless, wool and regular wicking to wear under any jersey for added core warmth. Skull caps of varying thickness and a balaclava, which I hardly ever use.

[redrhodie]

You can always shop right here, at our hosts' site! TE has everything you need, and you can try it all on at home. Some soft lighting makes a big difference. They're also experts in how things fit, so you can call customer service and ask, or just read the reviews.

[Bethany1]

I went to another LBS and found a guy that was SO amazingly helpful. He showed me the clothing and explained what everything was for and what works for Nebraska weather. He was honest after I tried on several sizes both in men's and women's jackets and said that it was okay that none of them fit. XL in Pearl Izumi women's doesn't fit me and neither did any of the men's. Dang wide hips..LOL. I'm so glad he didn't lie to make a sale.

I came home with Pearl Izumi arm and leg warmers that are really nice and gives me more options until I find what I want.

Now that I've tried on some things and have a better idea of what I like, shopping online will be easier.

[Jen12]

Do you have an REI near you? They tend to have a pretty large staff and I've found them helpful.

[tulip]

I gotta second Red's suggestion to check out Team Estrogen-- just click the upper left corner of this page. Their customer service is great and the staff is very knowledgeable. They have an excellent selection of women's clothing for all sizes. Plus, they host this site. I cringe when people on TE forums suggest online shopping and don't bother to mention TE.

[Becky]

For pants, definitely some thermal tights without the chamois over cycling shorts. I also have two weights. One just windproof. The other windproof and fleece-lined. (Heaven!).

Hijack (sorry!): What brand and model are those windproof-only tights?

[Bethany1]

I checked TE for clothing as I'm all for supporting TE. What's killing me is my hips at 49 inches (size 20 in regular jeans) but for the sizing at TE I don't fit into any jackets. I'm small on top so everything fits like a tent and if it's supposed to be tight it's even harder. I hate finding any kind of jacket/coat for outdoors and bras are a pain as well. I found the same bras that TE has at a sporting goods store and none of them fit or I would have purchased from TE. I'm a 42B. That's hard to find.

On the plus side, I have lost inches around my waist after I checked today! Woo Hoo!

[Bethany1]

I got brave and ordered the Gore jacket in the largest size that Muirenn suggested on sale. If it doesn't fit, I can send it back and have a better idea of what fits.

Thanks!

[indysteel]

At the risk of just repeating what everybody else has said, give the fine folks at TE a call and explain your shape and size. They may be able to help in ways that the size charts on the website can't.

[Bethany1]

My Gore jacket came today. Wow. Didn't take long as I ordered Saturday. I tried on the XXL and wondered how tight is tight? It seems to fit, arms are fine but it's a little tight at the waist. I have to zip it up and then pull it down. I can move okay, but wondered how tight is too tight? Would a pic help to see if it's too small or just right? Does it go over my jersey when cycling? I know..total newbie here with clothing.

Also, can I ask what makes this jacket so expensive at 150ish dollars? I love the color as it matches my bike perfectly. So far really impressed with TE.

[indysteel]

Honestly, I think you're in a better position that we are to determine whether it's too tight on you. Do a test ride with the jacket and what you might expect to wear underneath it. Is is uncomfortable? Does it ride up? Is your movement restricted? Do you feel like you're constantly tugging or pulling at it?

ETA: Yes, it goes over your jersey.

[ny biker]

My Gore jacket came today. Wow. Didn't take long as I ordered Saturday. I tried on the XXL and wondered how tight is tight? It seems to fit, arms are fine but it's a little tight at the waist. I have to zip it up and then pull it down. I can move okay, but wondered how tight is too tight? Would a pic help to see if it's too small or just right? Does it go over my jersey when cycling? I know..total newbie here with clothing.

Also, can I ask what makes this jacket so expensive at 150ish dollars? I love the color as it matches my bike perfectly. So far really impressed with TE.

A jacket needs to be large enough to fit over you and whatever clothing you will wear under it (a jersey, multiple layers, whatever you have in mind) but should not be loose or baggy, otherwise it will puff up as your ride and create wind resistance and be generally annoying.

Looking at the jacket on TE, it's semi-fitted, so it should be narrower at the waist rather than a boxy fit. If it's pulling across your waist or hard to zip, then it would be too tight, but you can zip it over your jersey and still move comfortably then it should be okay.

Whenever I try on cycling clothes for above the waist, I move my arms all around to see how it moves on me, and I also lean forward in a riding position to check the fit -- is it too tight across the shoulders or chest, does it ride up in back, etc. I do this in front of a mirror and check both front and side views.

Any jacket that is windproof/water resistant and still breathable will be expensive, but in my opinion a good jacket is a worthwhile investment.

[tulip]

A jacket should be roomy enough to wear layers underneath and not feel tight. Air circulation is important to keeping warm.

If it is uncomfortable, then return it. Gore stuff is nice, but it should fit right at that price. Doesn't matter how nice it is if it doesn't fit.

[Bethany1]

Thanks for all the help. I took the jacket out for a ride and didn't have any issues. I'm keeping it as it's really comfortable. It fits over my jersey and doesn't ride up when riding or cut off circulation around the waist. I can raise my arms with comfort. It won't fit over anything else but a jersey though since it is tight around the hips.

I'll be using TE for my purchases.