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Not happy with gear style...

catgirl

Veteran

I know this is silly! But I finally have a week off and my nephew is here from NY, so we've been hiking and playing outside. Yesterday we did a gorgeous 6 mile hike and I was really happy with how I'm feeling since surgery was less than 2 months ago. It's how I look that is the problem! Pictures are a must on these beautiful hikes, or I would avoid them.

Here's an example (second to last picture), I'm wearing Columbia hiking skort and Nike top. Somehow I always look chunky and awkward, and I have to beg people not to post me on Facebook. I want pics of me and the kids though! My street clothes don't seem to be problematic this way. I know it's ridiculous, but it's frustrating.

Tops are a particular problem - to fit around the shoulders I have to size up and then they are just too long and baggy.

Help appreciated! And here are some pics from the hike, including fresh bear scat!

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Dressing

40 replies

Latest reply was from Sara L.

Sal

Veteran

Lovely nature pics!! That is an impressive tree.

I also struggle with gear tops - I think for people with shoulders and a bust, they are cut wrong often (high neck, short straight sleeves, or sort of muscle shirt style is also unflattering. While I am not an IT I have these features.

I try to get either tanks which are better on me, or at least a deep scoop neck. There are some styles with a bit of ruching around the middle which can be nice. I usually wear a sports bra so I don't worry about a bit of flashing of that.

I mostly wear capri leggings of various sorts and find them pretty easy to find and fit. I also wear running shorts which I am happy enough with. I do struggle with basketball type shorts though.

There are some nice merino type tops too that are less clingy. See NZ examples just for examples of tops that have that drape that tends to fit nicely.

http://www.bivouac.co.nz/cloth.....-art-tee.h

http://www.bivouac.co.nz/cloth.....oodie.html

http://www.bivouac.co.nz/cloth.....-tank.html

Carla

Veteran

Oooo! Ooooo! Ooooo! I know of what you speak, swimmers shoulder and back muscles put me up a size or 2 (12/14) compared to my 'body' size (8/10). My favourite gear tops have raglan sleeves and some stretch. Without a defined shoulder seam, the sleeve can shift to accomodate your proportionately larger shoulder and back area but keep trim waist line. If you are an extreme IT and don't have too much bust, check out mens gear which is made to accomodate a muscular top half, but tapers to the waist.

I'm an hourglass by virtue of a strong shoulder line, otherwise I would be a rectangle with apple tendencies. The boys top doesn't always work for me due to hips, but my favourite fleece and favourite sweater are 'borrowed from the boys'.

Though not necessarily gear specific, Nautica is a brand that works for me. All my cycling gear tops are raglan as are my running jackets.(Rebok, MEC, Running Room brand, Loius Garneau.)

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Backpacks destroy any semblance of style. The waist belt and shoulder straps tug in all the wrong ways. If you can bear it for photos, take it off and happiness will multiply.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Both of these pieces look large on you but I don't think you look chunky. I think, if it's not too cold, you might eliminate the shoulder-line problem with a top that has slightly cut in shoulders like this. I am kind of IT and this sort of thing often works for me, though I prefer a more open neck if I can find it because my neck is short.

Gap With Ease Tank

View Info

Top Pick

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kellygirl

Veteran

I avoid women's gear tops like the plague. I wear small men's tees these days. They accommodate the shoulders and are more fitted through the torso. Not sure that look is any more picture worthy though...

Robin

Well, I think you're being too hard on yourself. You look like you're wearing a gear top and having fun. That said, I totally relate because I'm an IT or an apple with big shoulders depending on my weight. On the plus side, most gear is designed for women with a fairly small waist to hip ratio, so bottoms tend to fit well, but tops with sleeves and loose waists can look very frumpy. a tighter tank style would be better for photos, but then you lose warmth and sun protection. I second the recommendation to remove your backpack waist belt for photos and take a moment to pose (even if it feels inauthentic on the trail).

JAileen

Veteran

Would it help if you tucked in your shirt? It looks kind of big on you. The scenery is beautiful, and bears!! Exciting!

Anonymous

Nice picture - you are so far away it might not even be you for all we know. (said with a certain mocking tone)

Ahem. Anyways- all I can say is that I have yet in 40 years of playing and doing everything, I have yet to find a top that is flattering. Ever. The only time I felt ok in general workout gear tops was when I was bordering on being TOO THIN a few years ago . So of course I bought every workout top I could get my hands on - which is the most twisted bit of consumerism ever.

I hear you about the high crew necks, square short sleeves etc - or the other extreme which seems to be uber-fitted almost compression like gear. Sizing up doesn't work- you're right - as I can attest to. Today I wore a Lulu knockoff workout tank with the built in bra, and it was so unsupportive and loose and gross (because I had to pick a size that wasn't uber body con and sexy ) . Someone needs to grab the reins at a activewear company and do a line for "mature" active women who care about how they look.

Sorry , I'm done my rant now.

carter

Veteran

For some reason, I can't collect a Find at the moment, but have you tried Athleta's Fastest Track tops? I think they give great shaping, plus the ruching is very forgiving.

http://athleta.gap.com/browse/.....st%20track

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Fabulous photos of the trail, Una. And so much fun to have your nephew there.

I think you are being really tough on yourself...not only is the backpack playing a role, and possibly the style of the top, etc. but the angle of the photograph makes a difference as well. This looks as if it was taken by someone taller than you or else from a higher vantage point.

Anyway...something no one else has mentioned so far -- column of colour! That can help, no? Go for tops the same colour as your bottoms. I guess that might mean a steady diet of black, but hey...

catgirl

Veteran

Wow, thanks for the commiseration! You all have nailed it - petite and short busty IT makes exercise tops impossible (high neck, tIght shoulders, clingy midsection, bad sleeves, too long). Plus this shirt probably is too big post surgery. And the Camelbak straps emphasize the worst of me - good suggestion to remove it!

Will look at some men's tops (some of my sons stuff fits me well!) and check out your other links! And please feel free to share your own gear pics.

rachylou

Veteran

Right. So like I was saying on Suz's thread (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....n-backyard), the only times I've seen just-so style in California is on people in camping gear! I have a whole theory on this that I tinker with. I worked for like a nanosecond at REI one college summer. I'm going to take this opportunity to share (lol).

First, I think is colour. They echo the dominant colours around them: tan, sage, and dusty sky in the desert, neons during the desert bloom, navy and purple and brown in the forest. I think colour combos, undertones, are somehow important. Like, no forest charcoals with seaside teals. But note, this is not camouflage dressing.

Second I think they match fabric weights. Never thick top material over thin bottoms. No tees made of that spongy material over slinky basketball shorts. No mixing of tech and natural materials (except for outer jacket layers).

Third is drape. I think outfits tend to be more on the structured side, as Angie uses the word. Especially in tops. This has all to do with material too. One's shape should at least be hinted at.

Ok. Right. So what do I think this means for your outfit? Lol. I think my theory dictates different shoe laces. Lol.

Btw, do you know what those big grape-leaf like looking leaves are? I don't know why, but they surprise me. I don't think I expected such broad leaf plants.

Peri

Veteran

I can't wear that type of top either, and we have similar figure types. I agree with everyone that they are just not the right cuts for ITs, esp semi-busty ones. So....

1) Why does it have to be a gear top? You have T shirts you like, why can't it just be those? Is it something about the wicking-sport fabric that makes them necessary? If so...

2) Tailor. Buy them for your shoulders and have them tapered in at the waist and shortened. Have you tried that already?

I do always struggle with top-skirt proportions. Is it the skirt that is throwing things off? Do capris make the tops work any better?

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Great nature photos! And you look fine in the photos. I've been trying to step up my gear wardrobe, but found out I look equally awful whether I'm wearing gear type clothing or old sweats and a ratty tee. Oh well. At least I'm cooler in gear. I'll go for function over fashion every time. And no one is really there to see, other than DH and the dogs.

deb

Veteran

Honestly Una, I do not see chunky. The scenery is beautiful.

karen13

Veteran

I feel your pain. I'm 5'2", inverted triangle (I think), short waisted, and most of my clothing is "gear". I live in a mountain ski/summer resort town and my closet is filled with technical wear. It almost never comes in petites.

I recently lost 20 pounds and my size medium shirts, which were always loose (broad shoulders!), became ginormous. For the heck of it, I pulled out the sewing machine and did some alterations on a shirt that I loved the technical, cooling fabric on. Took in the side seams/sleeves/arm pit and shortened the hem. What a difference! I didn't shorten the sleeves because I like the sun protection on my very fair hands, but I roll them up when not hiking anyway.

Think about getting alterations on a piece you love the fabric on. It can work magic!

Anonymous

Sorry - I was being silly with regard to your picture. But the rest of my gear woes still stand .

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Anti-inspiration

https://www.instagram.com/jannniiferr/

catgirl

Veteran

Gosh, tailoring may well be the solution. Why doesn't more gear come in petite sizing?

Rachy, the huge leaves are Devils club. Those and Queen Anne's Lace or cow parsnip are both highly toxic like poison ivy. The vegetation here with our long days feels like being in Jurassic Park.

Peri, cotton is a real no-no here - the weather can change too quickly and it just does not wick/dry enough or layer well. I would love to wear my tees otherwise!

rachylou

Veteran

Back again, because gear is 'so problematic.' The top could be less loose, more Angie structured (provided such a thing could be found), maybe the skirt shorter, but I'm really inclined to agree with Suz. I think matching shoelaces and you've got an Outfit, which is perhaps more of what you may find missing...

rachylou

Veteran

Ps: Hahaha! I just read what Annagybe wrote AFTER clicking on the link. Lol. I was definitely Oh No No! Lolol. Yes. Do not go into the woods looking like that. You will attract bears with your Axe brand products

Jane

Veteran

Gorgeous photos. It looks beautiful.

I tend to focus on colour, for gear. So I'm nodding with the shoe laces comment.

Astrid

Veteran

I know you said cotton was a bad idea, but what if you were to look for things in the travel sections of gear brands? You know, those styles made for urban travel? They are often made out of other material and look more like "normal" clothes. My green striped tee is like that. I mostly wear it in everyday life, but I've also worn it hiking.

ETA
Forgot to say, great pictures. And you look fine of course, but I get it. Thank god the pictures taken on my bicycle tour with a friend were in the days before social media.

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Staysfit

Veteran

There's plenty of advice here, the trails are beautiful, so I have to ask if pic 7 is of what I think it is?

I have my DS carry a plastic deck of scat cards, and foot prints (pics) we purchased in the Adirondaks.. When we hike, if we see no animals, he can at least see evidence that they were there before us! It's definitely a boy thing. It always makes him happy. Your nephews look very cute buy the way.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

The pictures are beautiful and so are you. I am not belittling your issue - I don't need gear outside but would not want to wear a square tee either. But it is not what I see when I look at your picture.

Style Fan

Veteran

The hike looks beautiful Una. I think you look fine but the picture is of you in the distance. I am not even sure it is you. I like the shoelace suggestion.
I also love to hike. We live right on the TransCanada trial. I don't wear gear clothing to hike in the summer. We have totally opposite bodies. Does that stuff fit anyone? I could write a rant about hiking gear for summer. I have tried all different brands. Lululemon fits me. But their shorts, skorts, etc. are too short. So I wear shorts and tops that are regular clothes.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm in gear nonstop for the next so-many-days until the Seattle meetup, and I have completely given up on the idea that my gear is flattering in any way, except maybe sometimes color. Backpacks only make things worse -- they make me look really thick EVERYWHERE. Believe me, it's not any easier to make enormous hips look smaller in this kind of clothing! I say relax and don't fret it. No wonder there are very few pics of me in my gear.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Stick to head shots?

Just kidding! You and your family members are beautiful as are your surroundings.

I'm not sure many of us look our best in hiking gear - there is a need to cover up some if there are insects and tight fitting is not usually an option - so it seems oversized and "comfy" is sort of required.

I like the idea of trying maybe some men's gear shirts for better shoulder fit though.

catgirl

Veteran

OMG Anna - your link is killing me!

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