A Question for the TT Girls

“What improvements would you like to see in active womens outdoor wear?

My girlfriend is finishing school this year, she is a fashion design major, and for her "Senior Collection" she wants to do a line of attractive, practical womens outdoor wear. Not technical outerwear, just shirts, tanks, pants and shorts for a "go anywhere, do anything" lifestyle.

Anything in particulair yall would like to see? Any input will be greatly appreciated.”

“Stuff that doesn't have to be ironed! Clothing cut for women, not models. Tanks with straps wide enough to hide the bra straps or, even better, a built in bra. Pants that are long enough!”

“Who ever said you have to where clothing.”

“WEAR Tea, not where.”

“Thanks Joy. Tank straps and pants length are 2 big issuses for her also.”

“Synthetic materials that wick and dry quickly. Also, more pockets. I second everything that Joy said.”

“Hey Joy, what part of MI? I'm originally from MI, myself.”

“pants that are LONG enough. I'm 5'10 with a 34 inseam - try buying pants.”

“An ammendment to the bra's built into the shirt: good ones, not the shelf kind.”

“I think the HMWH clube should have a vote on this clothing. If it doesn't please us, you can't wear it, then you will be forced wear nothing.”

“OK, a complete rundown of my major complaints with active wear/outdoors clothing for women.

I have come to the conclusion that manufacturers of the above put us into 2 categories.
1) women who don't participate in outdoors activities but want to look cute and fit in near guys who are doing outdoor sports. These clothes are cotton and utterly useless.
2) women who participate in outdoor sports are willing to sweat in public and therefore don't care what they look like so long as the clothes are appropriate to the sport. They are usually cut and designed like men's sportswear. Ugh!

I want lace, floral print and cute styles in synthetic materials. I want pants legs that are long enough and not too narrow. And I want shorts that look like they were made for a woman but don't assume she's carrying a purse (pockets large enough to put things in!). I want hiking clothes that I wouldn't be embarrassed to show up at the movies in. If your daughter can do that, she surely should get an A.”

“One word, Spandex, Spandex, Spandex.”

“Guys love to see chicks in spandex.”

“I have been meaning to create a thread to discuss clothing fabrics that have a high SPF rating for sun protection. Maybe this is a good place to mention it.

There is a fabric called Solumbra, for example, that has an SPF rating of 30+. I have a hiking shirt I ordered from Campmor that has a high SPF rating as well. Look at some of the Solumbra clothing for some ideas...clothing that will preclude the use of sunblock underneath and provide constant protection from the sun.”

“Oh, yes. Let me add that if you are sun sensitive and your doctor recommends SPF protective clothing, then purchasing it may be a legitimate tax deduction for medical purposes. If you already have significant medical expenses, it may actually be a deduction you can use.”

“First of all, M-Nutz, please email me!! I have lost your new email address.

On the clothing, Tanks with wide straps and armholes that dont drop down to our waist and are built for a woman, narrower waist, larger in bust and hips and shorter length. I third the pants long enough problem!! I am 5'6" and wear a 34-36 length also! Elastic insets in waistbands of hiking pants, our waists are smaller than our hips! Makes moving around easier too. Nice feminine prints would be nice too. Expand the size ranges!! All women do not wear a size 3-5, the average woman in the US wears a 14-16. There are girls out there that need plus sizes also.”

“How well does it wick moisture?”

“i cant find zip off pants short enough. they zip off below the knee. whats that!!!! were not going to wear shorts like some guy! why cant they zip off short. Lace and nice prints would be a big help too. with built in bras in all outdoor clothing. one thing less we have to carry.I still like to look nice when i hike too. well for now anyway , I havent finished this long hike yet and I may not care what i look like when i finish this thing.LOL”

“I agree with what has been mentioned.

My biggest challenge (although I was given a bunch of cool links from y'all earlier this year) is finding a GREAT sports bra that supports AND separates..I really don't care for the UNIBOOB look..

What else? How about some decent looking swimwear for the fuller busted women? Not shelf bras, no skirts around the waist; something with chic designs.

Oh, one more thing..wicking long sleeve shirts that have sleeves that stay up when you push them up and that have good quality elastic to take this constant abuse.

I'll be back if I think of more..”

“Title nine sportswear has a very good selection of non-uniboob sports bras.

wwww.title9sports.com”

“Hell, I'm 6'3" and I have a 34-36 inseam!

Dat's some long-legged women!”

“Title nine sportswear has a very good selection of non-uniboob sports bras.

wwww.title9sports.com
sklukaz
7:30:11 PM
9/2/01


Thanks for the tip..I have it bookmarked!!”

“Stop making cotton tops, and make wick ones that aren't either white or blue.

Zipper off pants (shorts) that don't look weird, and regular pants too that aren't shaped after a sack of potatoes, and that don't wrinkle easily.

Don't charge ridiculus prices.”

“I only wear cotton. I find my softest, most worn in pair of shorts (hopefully they have pockets) and wear them. Same goes for pants in the winter. Have a few pair of soft polyester long underwear for winter..

In the whole 20 years I have been backpacking, I have bought 1 pair of pants from REI. They are the zipper off into shorts kind. They're dorky and suck! (totally uncomfortable, the zippers rub on your legs all day). Whoever invented these did not hike in them for 8 hours!

Have never bought any clothing from REI except long underwear. To me, it all looks like stuff you would wear skiing, not backpacking..”

“Hey everyone, thanks for the great response. I'll keep you posted on what she comes up with.

bpbaby - the link to my e-mail from here still works.”

“I'm short (5'2") and finding clothes that fit is a major problem. More petite sizes with lower waists, shorter legs, narrower shoulders and shorter sleeves are needed. There are too many t-back sports tops out there and hardly any regular tank tops with straps wide enough to cover bra straps. Get rid of the cotton clothes.”

“Yep, I agree with everyone else. These qualities would make me buy:

1. no ironing
2. tanks with built-in bras
3. good moisture wicking qualities like Capiline.
4. Thin material-no bulky straps or extras.
5. Pockets on "all" pants and shorts.”

“And a waist that doesn't come up to almost the bottom of your ribcage!

I also hate it when you try on a pair of pants that have such a low crotch on them you have to pull 'em up just to look half-decent... I'd prefer the waistline of my pants to sit just at, if not a tad below my belly button... way more comfy!

Just my $0.02... :o)”

“Sklukaz, I'm in Livonia, right in lovely metro-Detroit.”

“I think y'all'd be better hikers if ya hiked neked ;)

As far as guys' clothes...I'm sick of the Techy look of backpacking clothing. Anymore, the clothing seem to look like plastic space-like Devo outfits.”

“Great question! What I would like to see: Different lengths in pants & tops for short or tall women, with proportionate rise in the waist; light weight, SYNTHETIC fabrics; plenty o' room in the butt area; clothes that are roomy without being baggy (if that is possible); classic, traditional colors instead of neon orange, lime green, etc.; more functionality, less "fashion statement." Re: colors, it would be nice if these did not change every year, so when you need to replace worn-out items, you don't have to buy a whole new ensemble. Realistically, the middle-aged "outdoor" woman with the less-than-ideal physique has more money to spend on clothing than younger women, so why not cater more to us? I would not be caught dead in bell-bottom climbing pants or a midriff-length bra top.”

“OmaHiker, the only thing young women spend money on is clothes, get a clue”

“If I had this many issues with my clothes I would be a bitch too.”

“hey bacpac, you already..oops! *grabs hand and clamps it over her mouth*

nevermind....sorry!”

“don't even get us started on bathing suits”

“I think black one-piece swimming suits look HOT on women!”

“I have one of those and it's cut




down








to
























Here..”

“When men gain weight they buy bigger clothes.

When women gain weight it is a fashion conspiracy.”

“Why do men get to order their pants by waist AND inseam and ladies don't? Why are ladies' shirts so short (junior sizes are supposed to be short, not ladies' sizes)?”

“I can picture Jerry Seinfeld saying the same thing, Mrs.LyndyS! lol”

“I never watch Seinfeld. Did I accidently plagerize him?”

“Not sure, but I wouldn't doubt it. That does sound like something he'd say.

Take time out and watch an episode or three...I'll bet you'd get a kick out of the humour.”

“Actually I did watch a few shows in the beginning, but I have worked with too many neurotic people to really enjoy the characters. I like most stand up comedy, though.”

“I want shoulders on synthetic sleeveless hiking shirts that are wide enough to cover my pack straps so they don't rub the skin. I thought I had to look funny in hiking clothes.”

“I want something affordable. I just ordered two shirts that were on sale. They were $14 and $17 respectively! That's the sale price. I've tried Walmart, Kmart and Shopko. Everything they have is cotton or greater than 70% cotton.

I like the fact that backpacking is an affordable hobby and makes for cheap vacationing but it still can get costly.”

“my biggest peeve when i look at women's outdoor wear is that much of it is rather hideous. it all looks like it was made for my mother...either that, or like it was made for a little girl, but bigger. i always like the guys' clothes much better...if only it would fit me. that, and everything's so expensive!”

“Look in Target--I think I have seen some nice things in there. As I'm sure you know, buy for the next year at the end of season sales.”

“I had the best fitting street clothes when I was younger, and a size smaller. I worked for a company called "Dittos". This was 20 yrs ago.

They made jeans & tops and used my figure to make sizes for their pants, so everything fit me perfectly. Their motto was "Dittos, feel the fit". I modeled the clothes for buyers too.”

“I agree w/ most everything mentioned so far. I am 5'10 (34 - 36 inseam) and usually end up buying men's pants for the length.

What I really really want is a convertible shirt, in a wicking fabric. When you start a hike early in the morning, it can be chilly. I like to have a long sleeve shirt on. As the day warms up, I'd like to be able to unzip the sleeves, either into a tank or t-shirt style, so I don't have to remove my pack to change my shirt.

If anybody has ever seen anything like that, let me know immediately. I will drop whatever it is I'm doing and go out to make that purchase!”

“Great suggestion Tarabull..I have only seen the ones that roll up and have a strap to keep the rolled up portion in place.

Good Luck!”