[COLOR= #0000ff]Hi, Dave![/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]After that post I DID go shopping at REI, and while I couldn't find anything in the women's section anywhere near my size, I saw an outer-layer jacket on a men's rack in ocean blue that I thought was really pretty. So, like you, I figured, "What the heck?" and tried it on. It fits me great, other than that It's a little tight in the hips, but that's where I'm losing weight the fastest, so I just went ahead and bought it because the next size up was way too big -- and it was only $60, which seems to be cheap in biking clothes! Then I looked in the same area under the same brand name, and found a long-sleeve high-neck jersey to go beneath it, in the same color. Now I'm stylin', lol, and I don't honestly think anybody could be sure they were men's, with the simple styling. They're both Novara products, which I will remember when I'm shopping online. [/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]I also found a black cozy headband that not only keeps my ears warm but looks pretty darned cool, at least until I put the helmet on, lol. At that point I couldn't spend any more money, so I don't have toe warmers or knee warmers yet -- but I seem to have solved that by wearing pantyhose under my pants. So on my last ride, the only thing still feeling really cold was my nose and cheeks. I'm not quite cold enough, now that I have the other items, to wear a balaclava yet; but I'd rather do that, if it comes to it, than not go riding. It occurs to me, though, that I bought a neck gaiter, and I'm wondering if I can pull it up over my nose when it's cold, or if it would keep sliding down. It's worth a try.[/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]Now, about the outer-layer jacket. It isn't fleece-lined, it's feels plastic-y. When I sweat from exertion, the jersey wicks it away from my body like it's supposed to -- but when I take the outer jacket off when I'm done, it's all wet on the inside from the sweat! Is that what supposed to happen? I wasn't ready for that, and I turned it inside out and left it where it could air dry. I thought the jackets would wick the moisture to the outside, but no? The jacket material info said it was breatheable and wickable, so I assumed it would. This is all new to me, lol. Also, I guess it doesn't really matter whether the clothes are specifically for cycling, as long as they're polyester and say they're breatheable, is that the idea? [/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]I've worn the set 2 or 3 times now, and really like not freezing while I ride, lol. (But I probably STILL couldn't go out in 15 degrees!) And it takes a long time to put on all those layers! [/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]Happy pedaling, Dave. You and I might have to team up as Team Cross-Dresser or something, LOL. [/COLOR]
[COLOR= #0000ff]Have fun.[/COLOR]