Womens Cycling Clothing Runs Small!

[owlice]

I took an XL!! I am 5'5", 135lbs, and usually take a womens large top.

Some of us are at the extremes: Crankin, for example, on the petite end, and me on the other. But a 5'5" woman -- that is average for women in the States -- who is a normal weight, as is the case here, should not require an XL, or even an L, top unless perhaps she's generously endowed, particularly wide-shouldered, or otherwise has something un-average about her build. itself is a medium woman; her clothes should be, too!

[ny biker]

I'm 5'7", 140 lbs with broad shoulders and back, and I recently bought a medium PI long sleeved jersey that fits me fine. As a I recall, I tried on another PI jersey at the same time that was a "race cut," and although it fit it was too snug to be flattering.

In Shebeest, I'm anywhere from small to large depending on the jersey. I can't wear Sugoi jerseys because I'm between sizes with everything I try on, except I got one of their tri tops last year on sale in large, which fits great.

So for me cycling clothing is like regular clothing. Start with your best guess at your size and expect it to not fit.

p.s. I don't find women's shorts to be too short. I wear Shebeest century or SSS shorts and they're fine at mid-thigh length.

[Owlie]

I'm just a hair shy of 5'7", 135-140lbs (guess--I don't own a scale and haven't had a physical since I went to college). In street clothes, I take anywhere between a size 4-6 (current sizing, anyway), and a M in tops. In jerseys, I often take a L or XL. I usually have to size up to accommodate my chest--and I'm a B-cup! Castelli is the only brand that I haven't had to do that with. You really have to try stuff on.
In shorts, I'm mostly a medium.

Like Oak alluded to, I'm going to go with the assumption that they base sizing for cycling clothes on the average woman at the starting line, rather than the population average. I'm probably bigger than that.

NYbiker--I'm between sizes in most Sugoi jerseys too. I'm still keeping my "Tentacles" jersey!

[shootingstar]

Pearl Izumi does fit me in the sizing I expect.

True some of the higher end (pricier) jerseys look quite small, which for me to say that..is probably tiny for many folks.

Honest, cycling clothing, it's one of the rare types of clothing, where the size tag is in fact "small" or "extra small" for me and fits ok without major oversizing for me. Of course, sleeves always too long for me.

[RubyTuesday]

Boy am I glad to read this thread. I am 5'7" and about 155 pounds. I wear a size 10-12 and am very long waisted. No way can I buy anything less than an Large or XL in a shirt and XL in shorts. Really?

[Tiffany_S]

I don't even bother getting women's shorts anymore, as I cannot stand how darn short they are.
Anyone else notice this?

I have just the opposite problem. I wear a medium and the legs go almost to my knees! I hate having short legs

[TrekTheKaty]

Just saw a Hincapie jersey in Club fit! It was a part of a custom order on sale on the internet. I need 25 bicycle friends and a design!

Seriously, my TE jersey from the design competition last year is my favorite fit (black & red one). Please make more of those TE!