Why the lack of cute plus sized clothing?

[Heifzilla]

I do understand the whys of it, it's just SO frustrating. It was late, I had been looking on a lot of websites for some clothes and was really pissed off Clothes shopping for me has always been difficult, even when I was thinner. I have no boobs, wide back, a small waist, and wider hips. Plus, I am long waisted and have no leg. I'm the exact same way when thinner (boobs are even smaller, oy!) so trying to find clothes that fit and look good has always been painful for me. And forget about trying to find a bra in my size. Ugh, I'm getting stressed just typing about clothing

Thanks for all the replies, though, some of the links have some really cute stuff

[Autigirl]

I had a hard time finding bike shorts that fit. I am tall and have curves. If they fit in the booty they were huge in the waist. I bought some Andiamo padded briefs and love them! I wear them under cotton shorts or pants depending on the temperature outside. They are so versatile - I love them!

I haven't tried any jerseys on yet - I just wear a cotton tee. At this point all I care about is riding in comfort.

Kat

[jusdooit]

Has anyone ever done an actual market study to see if larger size clothing would sell. I think it's a prejudice assumption that larger women (and men) don't exercise so there will be no market. BIG MISTAKE. In my area it's hard to find women's bike clothing at any LBS. They just seem to cater more to the men's market. And i don't want to buy everything online either.

[Kris]

I've got a pair of padded underwear and one jersey (with Curious George on it, purchased at TE). Most of the time I wear ordinary shorts and a t-shirt for bicycling. I have lost about 50 pounds recently, but don't feel like I want to "accentuate the positive" as my mom used to say, by wearing skin-tight clothes. I've had rude teenagers shout insults at me, even without bike clothes. And I figure if I ride without padding on my ordinary rides, I'm prepping the parts of my body that contact the seat for a longer ride when I do put on the padded stuff.
Where I live (Central Illinois) I see a lot of women biking, not as many as men, but a lot, and the only ones in lycra are going really fast, and they're skinny. I don't know if it's because someone is missing the market, or because lycra pants and close-fitting jerseys put most of us in fear of looking ridiculous. There isn't any place in town where I can actually try on the lycra pants and see how bad they look before I buy them. That's got to be a factor. And if you buy online and it doesn't fit, you're out the postage both ways.

[Bootleg Betty]

I forgot to add that I tried the Pearl Izumi Superstar jersey and it fit perfectly! I find that most women's jerseys are too tight even in a XXL. The zipper even lays perfectly flat (I have a very large chest). My friend instantly said that I looked like I felt more comfortable and I even think I let out a sigh. Highly reccomended for big women with big chests!

[Juliegoddess]

I forgot to add that I tried the Pearl Izumi Superstar jersey and it fit perfectly! I find that most women's jerseys are too tight even in a XXL. The zipper even lays perfectly flat (I have a very large chest). My friend instantly said that I looked like I felt more comfortable and I even think I let out a sigh. Highly reccomended for big women with big chests!

Thanks for this suggestion! I am going to try this jersey. I'm also sourcing fabrics for sewing my own bikewear, since I am a clothing designer. I'm a single mom, so I can't afford lots of the expensive plus size bikewear available out there!

[shootingstar]

Thanks for this suggestion! I am going to try this jersey. I'm also sourcing fabrics for sewing my own bikewear, since I am a clothing designer. I'm a single mom, so I can't afford lots of the expensive plus size bikewear available out there!

Since you're new here, you may not be aware of this fabric and notions place:
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/

Show us some pics of your creations one day.

[Juliegoddess]

Since you're new here, you may not be aware of this fabric and notions place:
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/

Show us some pics of your creations one day.

Hey hon!

Thank you so much! Yes, I love Seattle Fabrics! And if anyone here does any sewing, they should also check out Rose City Textiles, too. They have tons of sports and technical fabrics, and the prices are really great. I am waiting for swatches for windblock fabrics, as this will be the next project for me. My 40-degree tights are not working for 35-degree days...and I can't afford $110 for coldweather tights. Two yards of windblock from RTC will cost me $36, and I will be able to make beanies, headbands, toe covers, plus the tights. Yessss!!!