Use hip or waist for tights/shorts?

[zeb]

Hi,

A bit embarrassed to ask this question... but with the age I have a bit of belly, not too much thanksfully , which I plan to lose if the next few months.

My problem is that I am going to order Pearl Izumi or Gore tights, 3/4 or shorts, and have a bit of a problem: according to sizing charts, my hips are medium (but close to large), but my waist is large. It seems that the measurement charts are given for olympic athletes!
What would you recommend? I am going to lose weight this summer and work on the belly, but should I still stick to large clothes? Or would medium be fine, as these clothes do stretch?

Thanks fo your advice.

 

[steve52]

i was in the same boat, i found that they come up smallish anyway so i would say go large i didnt at first and regreted it so now go xl even though im only a large

 

[zeb]

Thanks Steve, do you think all brands come smallish? Can you please let me know which brands you use?

 

[HLaB]

I'd go for bibs and go for large then if you lose weight it won't matter. Most Italian makes come up small and all makes I've had hug the calf's regardless of the waist size and I don't think you want to sacrifice comfort round the waist for a slightly better fit round the thighs or a possible weight loss down the line.

 

[zeb]

Thanks for the advice. Will order Large then. Good that for this size there is more choice in sales too

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Another vote here for bib shorts: much more comfortable than regular shorts.

Remember with bibs that it is your height, not girth, that is the important measurement even if most manufacturers/retailers seem to miss this point.

 

[zeb]

Another vote here for bib shorts: much more comfortable than regular shorts.

Remember with bibs that it is your height, not girth, that is the important measurement even if most manufacturers/retailers seem to miss this point.

Good tip, thanks for this.

 

[zeb]

I was going for a 3/4 bib. England is not especially warm after all. Or would you recommend short + leg warmers to have the best of both worlds?

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Get the 3/4 now and the shorts later, once (if) Summer arrives.

If it has to be one or the other, then shorts and leg warmers will obviously give you more options.

 

[HLaB]

Depends what time of year it is, my winter bib 3/4 are great but a bit too warm at times. At this time of year I like to wear shorts with leg warmers and on the rare occasion (like last week ) that it heats up, the leg warmers can come off, and in the summer its shorts all the way. I was forced to choose between 3/4 bib or short + leg warmers, I'd definitely choose the versatility of the latter

 

[zeb]

I am a bit torn now... Evans have a great offer on Castelli tights, supposedly from 6-12 degrees... Would be perfect in April if the weather does not become too hot! Maybe will take this one, and as you say, will get a short later in Summer if it gets really hot. Anyway, I guess one need more than one garment!

 

[zeb]

For those interested, I am talking about these tights:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/castelli/fondo-bibtight-ec025139

They are at -45% at the moment! Seems like a great offer.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

I am a bit torn now... Evans have a great offer on Castelli tights, supposedly from 6-12 degrees... Would be perfect in April if the weather does not become too hot! Maybe will take this one, and as you say, will get a short later in Summer if it gets really hot. Anyway, I guess one need more than one garment!

Sounds like a plan, should be some good deals on Winter/2011 clothing now.

 

[zeb]

I guess it depends on one's metabolism too.