Athena Clothing and Accessories wish list?
 

As an Athena myself, I have always been so frustrated by not being able to find clothes to fit my curves in once place, picking through collections to find a couple of token jerseys. And I refuse to wear men's jersey's and dart them.

If someone were to specialize in "Athena Wear" what would be on your wish list? Can you tell me what clothing brands and styles and accessories have worked best for you?

I have my own list but I am looking for more feedback

THANKS!
Lisa - the unlikely cyclist (I have a blog too at that address)

When I was plus sized the Terry line of clothing seemed to work best.

They had a nice stretchy skort that worked well for me. This skort goes up to 4x: http://images.teamestrogen.com/ri/65...-613018-00.jpg Terry has shorts also up to 4x.http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodTY_610014.html

Canari has a simple light weight jersey in plus sizes. I have it in regular size and like it a lot. It is available all the way up to 5x and is not cut tight:

http://images.teamestrogen.com/ri/65...180P-ALL-a.jpg

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodCA_22180P.html

It is also available in long sleeve versions, such as: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodCA_2803P.html

This jersey for me wins the pretty contest:

http://images.teamestrogen.com/ri/65...30093-C659.jpg

www.teamestrogen.com is a great resource for plus size cycling clothing.

I've gone back to wearing an old teeshirt. Yes, I know: don't wear cotton. Pffft, I sez to that. Anyway, I utterly abhor pink and other "girly" colors and bright prints, so even if I do go for cycling clothes, I go for plain ol' blue, like you find at Aerotech.

Terry has pretty much been good for me ALTHOUGH i wish some of the pattern designs on their smaller jerseys (I like those bright girly colors!) were also available in the Plus size wear. Just because I am big doesn't mean I don't want to wear a pretty jersey!

Unlikely source of tops: I discovered that J C Penny carries an active wear line and i love the tops. There are no back pockets but I don't generally need any since I use a camelbak on road and trail. The tops have a v-neck, are made out of wicking fabric and come in nice colors. Another thing I was having trouble with - finding a nice sports bra. I think I finally found some nice ones (in plus sizes - I am big on top smaller on the bottom) ) through Lady Grace.

What I have not been able to find are good mountain bike shorts. Terry used to make a short I loved but no more (I don't like the newer ones they now sell). The shorts in plus sizes just fit me weird (mainly too big or loose in the wrong places). I want them to be made out of a nice stretchy fabric. and I prefer a detachable liner or short underneath.

Plus sized jerseys that are longer in length! I CAN. NOT. FIND a jersey that is long enough for me, and men's jerseys are cut too straight (and colors are not very feminine). I tried the Canari jerseys that Goldfinch posted above (and some Terry's and LG) and they are all so short on me :(

This would be my wish list, let me know when you find such a jersey! ;)

-Longer lengths
-no elastic at the bottom
-relaxed fit.
-variety of solid colors, or small amount of pattern (I'm just personally not a fan of most of the patterned jerseys)

Penny, I am so short that I always found plus sizes way too long!

How about this tunic, though it only seems available in 1x: http://www.terrybicycles.com/Plus/Pl...nce-Tunic-Plus

Cut your extra fabric off and send to me, lol! That is a very cute tunic, though not sure how I feel about the neckline for riding on the road bike, but 33 inches long, yeah! I haven't seen that top on Terry before, I'll have to give their site another look for new items.

I found a Nike Dri Fit tshirt that is pretty long and I like the fit, i was just hoping for something with pockets.

My wish list?
The only women-specific cycling gear I've found that fit me in my choice of colors are XL gloves and bike shorts.
The women's jerseys have generally been a disaster. Sleeves too short and too tight, seams irritate skin, inadequate pockets, XXL too tight, I like having loose elastic at the bottom hem, shoulders too narrow, waist too tight, baggy at the hips, length too short. When I'm in an aero tuck I don't want the jersey hanging down showing my midriff.
The cycling tights don't fit my calves/ankles.
Jackets are just too tight and colors are all wrong.
The socks are too snug both on the foot and around the ankle.
I've had poor luck with shoes until I got my Keen bike sandals -- and I think they are a men's model too. The largest women's bike shoe's I've tried are too short and too narrow and don't give clearance for my high instep.

The jerseys that fit me the best are the Performance in-house men's club cut cheap jerseys. That's what I end up wearing on most of my rides.
The usual men's club cut jerseys in other brands are a little too snug at the bottom and are a little too long. I usually have to size up an additional size for sleeves that don't bind.

I like pink and bold flower graphics for group rides; I like HiVis for solo rides. I do not wear subdued colors or dark jerseys, I want to be visible to motorists and others in my group.

I bought a cycling skirt but was very disappointed that the shorts liner was too short no grippers scratchy fabric and zero compression. I've never had a ride short enough where it would be comfortable enough. Looking at other models, they seem similar.

My wish list?
Simple black cycling shorts with longer length, excellent moisture management but extremely durable fabric on inner thigh and over sitbones. Correct rise and loose-enough waist so it doesn't fold over and give the tied potato sack look. Legs that cover most of the quads, provide good compression, and have grippers to hold them in place. No pockets. Stitching that don't fall apart in the wash. No scratchy tags or diaper-thick chamois. Understated logos or brand names (unless I'm being paid to wear them).

Jerseys with long-enough short sleeves, 3 rear pockets with a bit of elastic at the top, loose elastic at the hem, light bright colors, fabrics that keep me cool on 100F days.

I like the idea of an integrated short-sleeve jersey/sports bra with a full-length zipper in the front. Something that will let my heart rate monitor strap stay in place too. Full coverage, snug where it needs to be, loose otherwise, concealment as needed but not having double layers everywhere.

Thanks guys! These are all great :) I am opening a women's cycling shop that will cater to all so this feedback is great! I like terry products (tho I wish their shorts had more compression. I wear xxl - plus 1x is TOO loose) and their jerseys are pretty. I couldn't get on with canari jerseys. They were TOO short. My favorite has always been shebeest but they have been out of business for a while. However they are coming back in the spring!!
I am off to interbike (the bike convention) in september to see what other lines I can find that will fit us!

Nice writeup!

http://www.bicycleretailer.com/retai...-orange-county