Women specific cycle clothing

Did you know if you search for 'women' on this forum (don't bother with the jokes, they're not going to be funny) you get a measly SIX results?

Anyway this is all a bit bikeradar but I have decided I don't care. I normally just cycle in whatever but I'm doing Dunwich in a week and a half and have suddenly realised I have lost, given away, broken or thrown away pretty much all my cycle specific clothing bar two pairs of shoes, one Helly Hansen base layer and one pair of Corinne Dennis tights (because they are both awesome), so I am on a shopping mission.

Share your tips on women specific cycle clothing. Brands, shops, sales, whatever.

(And if people could refrain from posting that ridiculous Assos photo of the woman with her boobs hanging out of those ridiculously designed bibtights that would be good cos I don't want to get fired. Cheers!)

What Assos photo???? DAMN!

Didn't they do that female cycle clothes range in one of those highstreet shops? H&M?

There are also not many threads on male cycle clothes, seems to be a number of solid brands you can trust and the odd fancy garment off the bay or specialist clothes shop.

why not try blacks or extreme sports shops for the basics (waterproofs, base laters etc)

when i worked in my old shop these looked good qualaty
http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=43365

I reaaaaaaaaaaaally love my Shebeest cycling shorts. Bought a couple pairs of other ones that are ok, not quite as awesome, but have one unopened in the package for £20 in you're in need? That's cheap to get you going!

I've not tried them myself, obviously, but some female riders I know swear by Pearl Izumi's women specific range. It's not full of the usual pastel colours either (although there are some);

http://www.pearlizumi.com/shop.php?pc_id=11&mode=category

Didn't they do that female cycle clothes range in one of those highstreet shops? H&M?

Oh yeah, has anyone checked out the Cyclodelic stuff? I haven't as I am unfortunately allergic to TopShop. I think it's more stuff for style rather than distance riding though? (though I might be wrong)

I reaaaaaaaaaaaally love my Shebeest cycling shorts. Bought a couple pairs of other ones that are ok, not quite as awesome, but have one unopened in the package for £20 in you're in need? That's cheap to get you going!

Ooh, I was eyeing up some Shebeest shorts the other day. Are they padded? I have a few pairs of padded ones but the thigh grip thingys on all the ones I have piss me off; for unpadded the Nike Drifit running shorts are damn good.

I've not tried them myself, obviously, but some female riders I know swear by Pearl Izumi's women specific range. It's not full of the usual pastel colours either (although there are some);

http://www.pearlizumi.com/shop.php?pc_id=11&mode=category

Cool, I've nearly bought Pearl Izumi stuff a few times but I am wary of their sizing after buying a pair of their shoes which were way off. I'm guessing it's probably available in bigger shops though so I might go do some trying on.

I always wonder why most shops (and brands?) only carry unpractical summer stuff.
Tops w/o sleeves, no pockets, skinsuits, etc.
Hardly practical things like jerseys with normal short sleeves and pockets, long sleeved jerseys, jackets, etc.

thanks for that pearl izumi tip - stocked at SheActive in covent garden, like this design on this one a lot

Pearl stuff is real nice but where in town stocks it to try on?

it's alright getting it of the web but ths sizing is v important

I think Evans on the Cut stock Pearl Izumi. They definitely used to. Will nip in later and report back.

richmond cycles stock it as well as sheactive but limited range

Has anyone been to Notting Hill Bicycle Workshop? Is that any good for women's clothing? I know they have Corinne Dennis stuff and they are generally pretty good about promoting women's cycling.

Did you know if you search for 'women' on this forum (don't bother with the jokes, they're not going to be funny) you get a measly SIX results?

Searching Ladies brings back 74 results.
Searching Girls brings back 22 results.

That's over a hundred including your 6.

Searching Ladies brings back 74 results.
Searching Girls brings back 22 results.

That's over a hundred including your 6.

You are quite right. I apologise, forum.

I bought a bag of cyclodelic accessories for prizes a while ago, trouser cuffs, scarves,that sort of thing, they were cool--but exey. Believe the range is well liked although for being fashion stuff, not really something thats my forte.
However if its any consolation I got a womens soft shell thats perfect for me and nobody else knows its a girls or nothing.

Unless things have radically changed since Sunday when I was in there, Evans on The Cut unfortunately haven't got anything for women bar a few £££ pairs of Mavic shorts and the usual fluoro pink/pastel jerseys. I've ended up buying some small mens bibs from wiggle instead this week, as Clefty said in a post a few months ago that they were working out ok for her. IME the only shop that does have range of non-pink and affordable womens stuff is Decathlon.

Decathlon is a good tip, I'll go investigate.

There's http://www.minx-girl.com/ too, which has Shebeest and Pearl Izumi, but it's pricey (and a bit painful to look at if you don't have high tolerance for girliness)

I think Evans on the Cut stock Pearl Izumi. They definitely used to. Will nip in later and report back.

if you could post some pictures of you in womans cycling clothes i'd me made up.. i'll post them in the sportiv thread and track them back to the conversation about compacts.....

Searching Ladies brings back 74 results.
Searching Girls brings back 22 results.

That's over a hundred including your 6.

Minky turns up 0 results and Chicks just 3 results!

i am beginning to resent this sexist forum!

i was just about to post the minx site rosie! it is quite girly, but they have some cool jerseys. i got some pearl izumi padded shorts recently and they are ace. evans in the cut have a fair amount of stuff for sizing and such. however, most of it is the usual insipid flowery pink shizz. i like the decathalon stuff with the stars on, but i've not actually tried any of it! heh.

oh, the harlot shorts on the minx site are also pretty wicked. look like regular shorts, but have a seam free stretch bit in the middle. not particularly cheap, but last for ages.

if you are looking for comfy long distance shorts giordana are good quality/VFM.*
the laydeez range is called 'Donna' plenty of places do them online but i doubt you will be able to see any in londons famous londons cycle shops.

*assuming the mens/womans are of equal quality.

Assos do some stunningly made cycle clothing if you can tolerate the lycra look.

The ladies shorts would be invisible under a skirt or tights, so you'd get the comfort and benefits of the materials and cut, without being seen to be lycra.

I have an Assos top and the cut on it is is truly miraculous. I'd liken the build quality and cut to a Balenciaga piece. It's kind of incredible how material can do what Assos can make it do.

Of course, this is of no help to those who are looking for cycle clothing that doesn't look technical or lycra.

Trek do a Women's-specific Design range (WSD). I'm pretty sure most major manufacturers do by now.

Assos do some stunningly made cycle clothing if you can tolerate the lycra look.

The ladies shorts would be invisible under a skirt or tights, so you'd get the comfort and benefits of the materials and cut, without being seen to be lycra.

I have an Assos top and the cut on it is is truly miraculous. I'd liken the build quality and cut to a Balenciaga piece. It's kind of incredible how material can do what Assos can make it do.

Of course, this is of no help to those who are looking for cycle clothing that doesn't look technical or lycra.

I'd LOVE some Assos stuff if I could afford it. I might save up for the shorts though... especially seeing as now my bike geekery tendencies have free reign I has many ridings planz.