Tired of the small sizing....arrrrrg!

[Eden]

Speaking as a 5ft 32a, I'd certainly love it if that were actually true, but the reality is there's precious little out there that doesn't fit me like a bag....

[Crankin]

I was just going to say the same. I'm a 32A/B, 5' 1" and only certain brands have x small jerseys and shorts. I can actually get more cycling wear to fit me than regular, petite sized clothes at this point. What petite person has an inseam of 30 inches????

[shootingstar]

Methinks certain cycling wear lines are sleeker/tighter in overall design, ie. Castelli, etc. I would agree that cycling wear fits me better than other types of clothing, in general.

There are lots of larger sizes...are you willing to wear men's designs that look unisex? I also think it depends which region of North America. In general, it takes more effort for me to find a small size to fit me in cycling wear...usually the number of garments in my size is 1-2 on the rack in a line. Not 5-6 of same size in same line/style. I'm also 5'1" like Crankin and equally small.

I'm sorry I disagree terribly...there's also lack of clothing that accommodates petite sized women....I'm here in Canada's prairie area and MOST definitely it's for larger women. Not like VAncouver nor Toronto. Maybe what all of us are complaining might be lack of choice in our size for different types of clothing.

[Owlie]

I'm pretty sure that no matter what size you are, you're going to have a hard time finding clothes that fit properly.

Bear in mind, too, that cycling clothing is probably cut based on patterns for the women who are essentially pro racers, and therefore leaner than the average woman.

[amb]

I've always been flat chested!

Being 5-7, 132# and 32A/B, I REALLY wish there was a size "smedium"! I need small for my frame & small chest but a medium for length. Forever in between sizes.... I think Owlie's right - no matter what size you are, nothing fits properly.

I will say I do have a PI high viz yellow jacket that is tight even on my chest when not in the riding position. So maybe their stuff does run small in the chest. I obviously never have that problem!

[winddance]

I've always been flat chested!

Being 5-7, 132# and 32A/B, I REALLY wish there was a size "smedium"! I need small for my frame & small chest but a medium for length. Forever in between sizes.... I think Owlie's right - no matter what size you are, nothing fits properly.

I totally agree - I don't know who the manufacturers use as fit models, but they have little in common with me! I end up with the shoulders and bust fitting in a small (110#, 32D, thanks mom!) and then tons of excess fabric through my torso. XS are generally too short and can be too tight in the shoulders or bust.

In a fit of frustration, I did get measured for a retailer's size database a couple of times. They were astonished that I was so "curvy." Yes, because ALL women don't have hips, butts, boobs, etc., regardless of dimensions.

I have a shebeest great divide jacket. It accommodates the chest and tapers to the waist. It fit so well that I impulse-bought it at a gear swap and haven't regretted that decision.

[Wasp]

I totally agree - I don't know who the manufacturers use as fit models, but they have little in common with me! I end up with the shoulders and bust fitting in a small (110#, 32D, thanks mom!) and then tons of excess fabric through my torso. XS are generally too short and can be too tight in the shoulders or bust.

In a fit of frustration, I did get measured for a retailer's size database a couple of times. They were astonished that I was so "curvy." Yes, because ALL women don't have hips, butts, boobs, etc., regardless of dimensions.

I have a shebeest great divide jacket. It accommodates the chest and tapers to the waist. It fit so well that I impulse-bought it at a gear swap and haven't regretted that decision.

That jacket is SWEET!!!!!! It's exactly what I'm looking for. Have you worn it in cold weather? Just wondering how warm it would be. I bought the Shebeest winter vibe, love the jacket but not so crazy about How it fits across the chest as its tighter than I like.

[Wasp]

Methinks certain cycling wear lines are sleeker/tighter in overall design, ie. Castelli, etc. I would agree that cycling wear fits me better than other types of clothing, in general.

There are lots of larger sizes...are you willing to wear men's designs that look unisex? I also think it depends which region of North America. In general, it takes more effort for me to find a small size to fit me in cycling wear...usually the number of garments in my size is 1-2 on the rack in a line. Not 5-6 of same size in same line/style. I'm also 5'1" like Crankin and equally small.

I'm sorry I disagree terribly...there's also lack of clothing that accommodates petite sized women....I'm here in Canada's prairie area and MOST definitely it's for larger women. Not like VAncouver nor Toronto. Maybe what all of us are complaining might be lack of choice in our size for different types of clothing.

I'm Canadian as well, and most larger name brand women clothing stores usually have a fairly extensive petite section. I occasionally wear petite size as I tend to be short waisted and they fit better torso wise, but my biggest problem is getting the chest area to fit. I wish it was too big, at least then i would have the option of taking it in.
I'm not against wearing something unisex.....I just want it to fit and be comfortable wearing it, and avoid the dreaded squished uniboob look.

[shootingstar]

I'm Canadian as well, and most larger name brand women clothing stores usually have a fairly extensive petite section. I occasionally wear petite size as I tend to be short waisted and they fit better torso wise, but my biggest problem is getting the chest area to fit. I wish it was too big, at least then i would have the option of taking it in.
I'm not against wearing something unisex.....I just want it to fit and be comfortable wearing it, and avoid the dreaded squished uniboob look.

When I look at the petite offerings now in fashion store..many styles look "old". Then the other extreme too teeny-boppy-near sexy wear which I'm not interested.

When I wear any cycling jacket, I look as if I don't have boobs. (Shrug). Yes a Pearl Izumi jacket does that and I like more form fitting jackets. Keeps the jacket from ballooning in the wind. I really doubt people look at me for that (boobs). They're just looking at me on bike or notice me walking around in my gear....because there aren't many Asian women cycling in our city (although our population is growing noticeably). Now that I've said the latter, I suddenly realize how true of what I just said. Quite different from the other 2 Canadian cities.

[Sky King]

One would think we would all learn - when we actually find something that fits well we should always buy two! Of course, I rarely do that thus most of my bike gear is somewhat tired looking.
I did find a great long sleeved jersey last year from maloja -but alas the store that sold them is no longer. I do see that backcountry.com may have them in stock. HOWEVER they run small, I bought a large and I am typically a size 6 with a 34b/c chest

[Wasp]

One would think we would all learn - when we actually find something that fits well we should always buy two! Of course, I rarely do that thus most of my bike gear is somewhat tired looking.
I did find a great long sleeved jersey last year from maloja -but alas the store that sold them is no longer. I do see that backcountry.com may have them in stock. HOWEVER they run small, I bought a large and I am typically a size 6 with a 34b/c chest

Your a size 6 and due to the small sizing you had to purchase a large ?? WOW!!.
So what do women size 8 and up wear?. That's my point, the sizes tend to be small. Funny how the price stays the same considering there getting away with using less fabric and call it a large.

[shootingstar]

One would think we would all learn - when we actually find something that fits well we should always buy two! Of course, I rarely do that thus most of my bike gear is somewhat tired looking.

This is what I have done if I feel like spending money-- I have 4 jerseys that are 2 same designs. Fine by me and on sale. Whereas it took me several years to find a pair of jeans that I liked. I paid $100.00. I liked them so much that 6 months later (at least I waited, ok?) and bought another pair. They ended up being black colour.

Now I don't have to waste time for the next 2-3 yrs.(?) or more (hopefully) ,searching for a new pr. of jeans. It is an incentive that I also not gain any weight to keep on wearing them! They are a classic boot cut, not low and wear them to the office 50% of the time.

In old women's sizing, or Vogue pattern sizing, I am...size 4. I have to buy size 0 from the store clothes rack now.

I do buy some teen boy's clothing. But even for a small woman, they have some (small) curves, so the cut of vests and pants are still kind of straight on me. I was stunned to ...wear child's size 10 fleecy vest. I noticed some children's wear have gotten bigger.

To stop this rantin', I should get back to sewing. Well, maybe I will in about a decade. I'm just content to making minor alterations to new clothing. There is a new large, fabric store I am curious to visit one day..near a bike path.

[Veronica]

What petite person has an inseam of 30 inches????

I'm 5'5" and a lot of my pants are petite.

I think manufacturers assume you'll be wearing 2 inch heels.

Veronica

[SadieKate]

What petite person has an inseam of 30 inches????

Me. I'm 5' 3 3/8" and wear 32" inseam jeans with my Danskos (1.5" sole). Sporthills XC pants are perfect in a size med with the long inseam. I can't wear petite pants because the legs are too short but a lot of misses size pants have too long a crotch.

I've read a few articles lately that the average cup size for American women is increasing.

I feel for the manufacturers and retailers trying to design and stock women's clothing.