Got Quads?

[zoom-zoom]

I went shopping for pants yesterday. Tried on about 10 pairs...walked out with only 1. Why, you ask??? Because I'm having a hard time finding pants that fit my "cycling legs". I normally wear a size 8 in most brands/styles. But yesterday, I noticed that while the size 8's fit okay in the waist...that isn't quite the story with my thighs. I'm not fond of body-hugging pants, so my search continues. I'm thinking that I may have to try a "curvy" style of pants to see if those fit my legs better. My hips aren't the problem...just that meaty part of the thigh, where the quad muscle is really defined.

Levi's 528 or 529 "curvy" cut or Supreme Curve jeans. You're welcome.

Seriously, though, these things fit like they were custom made for me and come in 3 lengths. The 528/529 are cheaper ($40ish) and can be found at Kohl's or other dept. stores. The Curve ID line is only available from Levi's, I think, and generally run ~$70, IIRC.

I have a friend who is built a lot like me (only moreso--but we even wear the same bra size). She lives in Levi's, too.

[zoom-zoom]

I forgot, Amazon also carries the Curvy jeans.

[jessmarimba]

Another vote for the Levi's. I found a pair of the curve ID ones at Goodwill and they're seriously my favorite jeans right now. I'm no help with non-denim pants though. I mostly wear skirts if I have to dress up now.

[zoom-zoom]

Ooh, pants pants, rather than jeans...I have 1 pair of the cut #4 black slacks from Target. I think they are their Merona brand. Cut 4 is their curvy cut. I didn't have any luck with their 4 jeans, but their 4 dress pants are a good fit, at least the pair I have. They're over a year old, so I don't know if they still cut any this well.

[jyyanks]

Just tried on the skinny jeans I bought before I started seriously cycling - couldn't get them over my thighs. Off to find new jeans for the new curvy me!

[Irulan]

I've dome really well with target #4 cut.

[Owlie]

Just tried on the skinny jeans I bought before I started seriously cycling - couldn't get them over my thighs. Off to find new jeans for the new curvy me!

Funny. I don't add quad bulk, but for some reason I add calf bulk. My mom got me a pair of skinny jeans for Christmas last year. I could get them on (with some struggle) over my calves, but getting them off required a vegetable peeler. And I rode less last year than I've ridden this year. I might keep them for winter (because they do look nice with boots), but I'm tempted to let them go.

[GLC1968]

I'm another big thigh girl. At 5'4" and near 150 lbs for a vast majority of my adult life, I have never been a bean pole either! Biking didn't make my legs bigger...just harder, and that's ALL good!

Levi's Curve ID (supreme curve for me, too) and I just had great luck at Banana Republic for dress pants. I bought three pair!! Jackson fit rocks.

[Catrin]

A bit over two years ago when I first started riding (and riding too much), my quads certainly got larger. Then I was off the bike on and off due to a few injuries and lost some of that. This year when I regained my lower-body strength my quads seem to be growing harder rather than larger - and much more calf muscle definition. My legs look like sticks unless you really start looking at them, but I've a very strong lower body. I guess things change - or else my workouts are different enough this year that my legs are developing differently? I don't know, but it is interesting.

[Crankin]

I have the calf issue, but not giving up my skinny pants. I love being able to wear them at my age. I buy Gap skinny or jeggings because they stretch a bit. Of course, the top part falls down, too because of this.

[Owlie]

I have the calf issue, but not giving up my skinny pants. I love being able to wear them at my age. I buy Gap skinny or jeggings because they stretch a bit. Of course, the top part falls down, too because of this.

I love Gap's jeans (though I prefer the boot-cut) except for that problem. They're fine out of the dryer, but after two or three days...
(Grad student; I refuse to do more laundry than necessary.)

[jessmarimba]

My favorite Gap jeans just fell apart the other day.

I can't wear their "skinny" jeans but the "real straight" look like skinny jeans on my calves. However, I crouched down wearing them the other day, and the knee just split wide open. After looking closely at my Long 'n Lean pair (bought at the same time), the butt is getting pretty threadbare and I'm afraid of those splitting as well. I bought them both in fall of 2010 so they're hardly 2 years old (though I did wear them a LOT). Not sure I'm going to buy them again, at least not new. I found an older pair at Goodwill the same time I bought the Levis and they seem to be thicker and less stretchy so hopefully they last a little longer.

(And Owlie...you think 2-3 days is bad...I'm pretty sure some of mine go weeks between washings!)

[tealtreak]

A bit over two years ago when I first started riding (and riding too much), my quads certainly got larger. Then I was off the bike on and off due to a few injuries and lost some of that. This year when I regained my lower-body strength my quads seem to be growing harder rather than larger - and much more calf muscle definition. My legs look like sticks unless you really start looking at them, but I've a very strong lower body. I guess things change - or else my workouts are different enough this year that my legs are developing differently? I don't know, but it is interesting.

It is very interesting how our different basic body types respond to exercise. Danelle Kabush (Luna pro Mt biker) is one of my favs (I got to take a clinic she taught) and she is so slight you would never imagine what a she beast she is if you saw her in street clothes. Most of her teammates are far more mesomorph, but they all rock the trails as well (or better) than any guy (:

[OakLeaf]

Lucky brand jeans have been mentioned in other threads ... I've been losing some muscle lately, but they fit my thighs at their biggest and DON'T gap at the sacrum. Yay.

[molliewog]

Lucky brand jeans have been mentioned in other threads ... I've been losing some muscle lately, but they fit my thighs at their biggest and DON'T gap at the sacrum. Yay.

Me, my booty, and big ole quads are are recent Lucky Brand converts I can't tell you how excited I was to find jeans that didn't gap in the back!