Well I had my second experience with "European Fit" yesterday. Order a set of Castelli winter tights at a good deal. Only size they came in was XXXL. I figured I am a big guy, 6'6" 255 lbs, I usually fit in XL or XXL bibshorts, so they might be a little loose, but for the price what the heck. Holy shortness Batman! They fit great right up until pulling the bibs over my shoulders. I honestly think I caused some lumbar compression.:blush2: Maybe they are desined to pull you into a slight arch in the back:D . Luckily, my wife is quite the amatuer seamstres and should be able to add an extra piece of elastic if they don't stretch out. Are Mericans just that much bigger than the rest of the worlds population?

Have you noticed how US sizing has changed over the past several yrs? What was then a med is now a small, etc.

I am 6', 195 lbs with a somewhat longer torso than legs and I wear an XL in Castelli. I can wear a L but the XL chamois is just right. In Pearl Izumi, which I think of as being more american sized or Performance I wear a large.
Classic problem in making that first purchase of a brand over the www. Got to like those brick and mortar guys when it comes to buying product your really need to try on before purchase. I actually have guilt over buying over the internet for subsequent purchased for this reason. It would be a real pain if every purchase had to be through this trial and error process ... my 2 cents for supporting your local Castelli dealer

Well, I´ve had the same experience with italian clothes. I always order one size up, and that has mostly to do with my length. Im 6´2 and around 165 and wear a size xl in giordana bib shorts.

Are Americans bigger than most other nationalities? Well, some are I guess, but Im from Finland and it´s not really european fit, it´s italian fit. However, I am a little bit surprised that at 6´6 an xxxl didn+t fit you. They are supposed to be a little bit snug, but I suppose you know that?

But in general, when ordering bib shorts you sometimes have to take into account that you might need a bigger size if you have a big belly, or a very muscular upper body.

You are absolutely right, and about 90 % of the time Jeff at J-town in Jupiter gets my business. Unfortunately, I have a tough time asking him to get stuff in escpecially for me that I may or may not buy. And since it is rare to see another Sasquatch/Yeti out there riding in winter tights in South Florida where today it is 82 degrees, I figured I'd give it a try. Not a big market down here for winter riding clothes for a rare cold day and less of a market for it in my size but you are right to support you LBS.

didn't realize you were in S FL. Lucky you not to have the fine collection of winter clothing the rest of us accumulate
need any advice on how to properly rotate pocket warmers for optimal heating , feel free to ask

Man, cold for us down here is like 40 degrees at 6am. If I ever have to use hand warmers the earth has fallen off its axis and we have much bigger problems!!!

How about men's street clothes size inflation?

I'm not a kid any more (by a few years) though I still have a 29-30 in waist.

29-30 in Dockers, Levis, Haggers, Slates... are all about 1-2in too big on me these days, & I'm not shrinking.

American mediums are now way too big on me & I have to scrounge for smalls.

Us U S of A folks love to fool ourselfs that we are the same size we were in High School even after years of eating Mickey D's, 3lb steaks & Fries & tons of Ice Cream.

Well I had my second experience with "European Fit" yesterday. ...

There is no "European fit" :( The problem is that products of different manufacturers (all european) may differ a full size within same size labeling (and I know what I'm speaking about - I live in Europe).

BTW TOUR magazine has reviewed long-arm jerseys in its recent issue nd has pointed to the same sizing differences.

Have you noticed how US sizing has changed over the past several yrs? What was then a med is now a small, etc.


NO KIDDING.......you explain to me why a guy who is 5 foot 5 and 130 pounds on a FAT day, needs to get a medium in anything!

Seriously in a crowd of 100 people, I am generally one of the smallest men in it.

I think it is a male ego boosting thing....because in womens clothing...it is EXACTLY the opposite from what my wife and 3 daughters tell me...which is also an ego boosting thing!

To say nothing of the fact that there is NO sizing standard

There is no "European fit" :( The problem is that products of different manufacturers (all european) may differ a full size within same size labeling (and I know what I'm speaking about - I live in Europe).

Maybe so, but there definitely is an "American fit". As others have noted, it's big. Other countries (mostly northern Europeans) have passed the US in avg height, but the US continues to gain in girth. "Relaxed fit", pleats in most pants and larger than historic norms in clothing is the result.

I wear a PI L, an Assos XL, and an Inverse (Spanish) XXL, and the Inverse is still way too short (I'm a little over 6' and 165 lbs).