Women's clothing

Helen · Post by **Helen** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 9:29 am

I was looking to get a Clifton top the other day and felt that I wouldn't want to spend that much money on something that doesn't fit that well. I find that the shoulders are to big,the torso to baggy and the arms to long even in the smaller size top. I must confess that if they were half price in the sale I would put up with it, if I'm spending a lot of money I want something that fits well.
I don't know whether thats just something that affects me or if it's more of a general problem. I do notice that most of us don't wear club clothing and that could be for many reasons.
I'm told that about 20% of the club members are women so if enough of us wanted some clothing in womens sizes it might be possible to ask Cycle Heavon about ordering some.

Would any of you like to see any lines of club clothing in Womens sizes?

I would vote for a winter training top and a gilet.
(I have a summer club top, that fits well enough and a thin long sleeve top that was Nick's but shrunk a bit in the wash.)

Helen

Arthur · Post by **Arthur** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 9:45 am

Can't comment on the women's size issue, but I'd say the opposite to you: I notice that most of us do wear the clothing.

Helen · Post by **Helen** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 9:48 am

Arthur

That will be the men not the women.

Helen

PhilBixby · Post by **PhilBixby** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 9:56 am

Helen (and indeed all Clifton women):- The company that make the Clifton kit will make kit in women's sizes if they're asked - we had a few one-off's done back in one of the previous orders. It would be worth talking to Andy J, who is the link person re clothing, and seeing if we could either get some items made for specific members, or just get a proportion of tops in women's proportions, when CH next place an order. The stuff isn't cheap (although it's not horrendous given the relatively small runs produced) but it lasts well - get the right size/shape and you'll be wearing it for years.

Andy?

Arthur · Post by **Arthur** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 10:59 am

Helen wrote: That will be the men not the women.

Sorry, I didn't read your post correctly and realise that you only meant women.

cath · Post by **cath** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:06 pm

Hi Helen - I'm not in line for womens clothing I'm afraid. I tend to find womens cuts too short in the body and if long-sleeved, then too short in the arms (unless its specifically a 'Tall' range....) so I will stick to wearing the mens, however unflattering!

Andy J · Post by **Andy J** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:04 pm

Hi Helen, I can look into womens clothing, I know Cycle Heaven are looking to put in an order shortly and this could possibly be included, we would need to order 10+ of a garment or we incure a hefty surcharge on them, what sizes do you think would be worth stocking.

Regards Andy

PhilBixby · Post by **PhilBixby** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:45 pm

Just cut'n'pasting from an email from the manufacturers from a couple of years back:-

"With regard to the women's sizing - they are the same fit as the men's clothing but shorter in length (this goes for the shorts too). We have found that this works for some women, but not all, so it is really down to personal preference".

They also made one or two specific items that were along the lines of "size S but women's length and size L around the hips" so they can be very flexible about specific one-off's. As Andy says, minimum orders apply but these would apply only to the overall garment numbers - so for example if CH are ordering 10 training jackets for stock, they should be able to include a few women's sizes or specific one-off's within that at no extra cost - as long as they know what's needed.

Helen · Post by **Helen** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 7:56 pm

Cath -I understand your point, infact even though I'm shorter than you I have found that women's cycling tops can be that to be short and end up opting for the medium size to get that little bit extra length.

Andy - I will see if I get any positive feed back and then contact you if there is enough demand to put through an order. If not I will see if they will do one of with next season's order.

Helen

Dr Dave · Post by **Dr Dave** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 8:36 pm

cath wrote:so I will stick to wearing the mens, however unflattering!

'Unflattering' - not at all Cath!

ClaireG · Post by **ClaireG** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:48 pm

Dr Dave, you're such a charmer, eh?

Anyways, Helen, sorry to not reply sooner. Completely sympathise with your dilemma and good luck in your campaign.

Watch out for manufacturer's assuming, for some inept reason, that women prefer only one large rear zipped pocket than the functional 3 rear pocket design. I find tops with only 1 rear pocket hopeless for full day rides where you want to be self sufficient (food, tools & map) without carrying a saddlebag. A bug bear of mine to assume a woman would not want this or would be happy to have a big bulge 'swimming' at their rear rather than a neat, compact & compartmentalised package............the innuendos are probably infinite here!

See you Friday, looking forward to the evening,
Claire