Jerseys - men vs wmsn?...how do you keep them down?

[cyclingnewbie]

Getting back to this jersey question, I am Plus size and have a heck of a time finding cycling clothes. The men's stuff is cut smaller in the hips (which is usually how a man is shaped and not a woman), and that doesn't work. Even some of the women's plus sizes are too large in the shoulders to get it to fit around the bust and hips. My best shirt is a man's t-shirt which I stretch out in the body when it is wet. That doesn't usually ride up either. But it is plain cotton, so it gets wet, doesn't wick, doesn't have pockets. And I agree with CorsairMac, many manufacturer's XL is still pretty danged small for many of us. The Garneau 3X chest is only a 42. That is not my definition of a 3X! I have a Mt. Borah jersey that fits great in the bust/hips and is a grat length, but is way too big in the shoulders. And, the fabric is very lightweight, but it's slippery and rides up the slippery fabric of my shorts. It's all very frustrating!!

[kimba]

Oh I hear ya!

Seriously- the Zoic flat seamed "tee" style shirts are awesome for those of us that are a little more- um....
"dairy"....

If you want comfort you can't go wrong- these things wick the sweat and help keep you drier and cooler - I love them. Hey- I'd even pay full price for em- but does anybody sell them up here in the great white north?
Nope-
Also- their sizing is more reasonable - they don't have the pulled in waist- so they hang better on larger hips- I can wear an XL comfortably - I think I even have one that's an L -
other jerseys I need an XXL-
the biggest drawback is they don't have 3 pockets -
( I sent one to a smaller friend of mine though- in her size-she is quite petite and the thing just hung on her- she hated it...so it's definitely a "plus" for us "plus" sized sistahs...)

If you are carrying a camel back - who cares?
Sounds like you're wearing tees anyway - so why not try a technical tee?

Kimba
Zoic *****

[Twice Daily]

If you're looking for inexpensive jerseys, try Nashbar's returned items section, here's the link: http://www.nashbar.com/store_custom.cfm?storetype=2

[kimba]

Hey! Great link!

Thanks!

Kimba

[cyclingnewbie]

Thanks everyone for the great advice and info. I'll keep looking for a better cycling shirt and not give up.

[SadieKate]

I like these brands because they recognize that women have curves: Shebeest, Terry, Fox, Zoic. Sugoi sometimes. Voler's women's cut is pretty good.

If you just have to have a jersey with an elastic hem, have the elastic removed by shortening and re-hemming the jersey (by a professional or someone with professional skills and equipment -- which is not moi). I have found that a lot of jerseys with elastic are too long anyway (part of the whole problem) so shorter is better. Men's jerseys can end up looking very chic and tailored by doing this. Removing elastic without shortening will pretty much ruin the jersey due to the way it is sewn in. I have paid between $10-$15 for hemming which seems expensive, but is worth the professional result. I just factor it into the cost of the jersey -- therefore it better be on sale and a really, really cool jersey.

Beware the comments about pulling the jersey down over your bottom to keep it down -- try getting on your saddle on a technical spot on the trail one time with a too long jersey. It can get down right dangerous getting tangled up.

The other thing I hate is all the raglan-sleeves. Don't they realize that anyone with a large bust shouldn't go anywhere near raglan sleeves? I think bicycle jersey designers be required to have a little garment design training. It's a joke what they think we should wear.

[Irulan]

Originally posted by SadieKate


If you just have to have a jersey with an elastic hem, have the elastic removed by shortening and re-hemming the jersey (by a professional or someone with professional skills and equipment -- which is not moi). I have found that a lot of jerseys with elastic are too long anyway (part of the whole problem) so shorter is better. Men's jerseys can end up looking very chic and tailored by doing this. Removing elastic without shortening will pretty much ruin the jersey due to the way it is sewn in. I have paid between $10-$15 for hemming which seems expensive, but is worth the professional result. I just factor it into the cost of the jersey -- therefore it better be on sale and a really, really cool jersey.

As a sewing professional I will add my 2¢. First, if you are somewhat handy with a sewing machine, you can do this yourself. Just cut the jersey off to the length you want +1/2" and add some 1/2" elastic with a zig zag or a serger and topstitch. This assuming that you want the jersey quite a bit shorter. If you choose to remove the elastic and then shorten it, that is a lot more work as you have to pick out the topstitching and all the serging that holds the elastic to the jersey.

If you only paid $15 to get a jersey hemmed, you got a bargain.
They know the materials, and the techniques, plus they have special machines, and supplies. And skills and training. You yourself said "professional results". Consider a good seamstress or alterationist to be a trained professional that deserves to earn a decent wage, and not a minimum wage worker. After all, if you knew how to do it, you wouldn't have to pay someone else, right?

Irulan

[SadieKate]

The $15 bucks is probably because I don't have elastic added. That's the problem to begin with. I have it cut off, the edge turned up, serged, and a double topstitch put on. And, not all sewing machines (or people) treat lycra nicely. If you don't know how to sew stretch materials, don't use your expensive jersey as a learning project. Unlike woven fabrics, it isn't happy with repeat efforts.

The cost is worth not having your jersey an inch above your belly button while your shorts are an inch below -- not unless this is some new biker's tan we're going for.

[Pedal Wench]

I'll share two recent jersey finds. My BF gave me a long-sleeved Shebeest jersey that I just got to wear for the first time. It's wonderful - no elastic, and it actually has small slits up the side - about 4 inches long, so it doesn't bunch up or bind at all.

I also just bought the Trashy Cat black and leopard jersey from Team Estrogen. Small company, brilliant design feature. In addition to the usual pockets on the back, there's a small zippered pocket that's perfect for keys and id - the things I always worry about fallling out of my pockets.

Some folks just get it right.

[cyclingnewbie]

I just bought the Sport Hill Invasion Top Plus from TE and it arrived yesterday. What a great fit! It's the perfect length, it is shaped the same way I am, the sleeves are nice and long. I'm not that big of a back pocket person, so it doesn't bother me that it doesn't have any back pockets. I can't wait to get out on my bike and see how it does "in action". I'm thinkin' that I will definitely be buying some summer weight Sport Hill jerseys in the spring.

[maryellen]

Some REI brand jerseys also have the same extra mini-zippered pocket. Perfect for id, $$, key.