If the Shirt Fits…
| April 8, 2011 | Posted by Lauren under Running |
Dear Race Organizers,
I love race t-shirts. I really do. Short-sleeved, long-sleeved, technical or cotton – I love them all. So much, in fact, that I’ll gladly fork over my hard-earned money for whatever outrageously high price you want to set for your race registration….as long as you promise to give me a shirt.
Yes, a good race shirt is as coveted by me as a nice medal. But I don’t really discriminate. I keep them all. Shirts from high school that are misshapen and stained, shirts that have gone through so many wearings and washings that they never smell quite as fresh as they should, and shirts that are so big, I’m probably better off wearing them to bed than running in them.
And that brings me to the reason for this letter. Because I fear some of you don’t realize a very important thing: when it comes to running shirts, size matters. Yes, I’ll ultimately wear any shirt you want to give me (no matter how large or obnoxiously colored it is), but sometimes a girl just wants something that actually fits, you know? Especially so that I can run in it and proudly show off my accomplishment to every single person I pass along the way.
On that note, here are two very important things I think you should know.
1.) A men’s shirt is shaped differently than a woman’s shirt.
It’s true – not all smalls are created equal. Men don’t exactly go for the short, tailored waist look. And I don’t think they really mind their shirts big and boxy. But women – we’re built a little differently. We like to run in fitted tops, not ones that have so much extra fabric they fill up like a parachute when the wind blows.
So even if you offer me a men’s small, chances are it’s going to be just a tad bit roomy. And while I appreciate that it so nicely covers my J-Lo booty, I can’t help but feel as though I have t-rex arms when I’m struggling to push those sleeves up above my elbows.
2.) You’ll probably need more of the small sizes than you expect.
I know that runners come in all shapes and sizes. And I know that it can be really hard to plan for these things, even when you ask people their shirts sizes before-hand. Many woman order one size and then upon getting to the race to find a men’s t-shirt waiting for them, immediately switch to something smaller. Because….well, we already covered that one….
But, the fact of the matter is that a lot of runners are on the smaller side. And so chances are that you’re not going to use up those 500 XXL shirts you decided to order “just in case.” Instead, the smalls and mediums will be gone within the first half hour, leaving those stragglers who come late to packet pick-up the chance to take home something extra special: a commemorative race dress!
If they’re anything like me, chances are they’ll probably wear them anyway. Since my entire non-work wardrobe pretty much consists of race shirts and jeans, I figure an extra-large race shirt is better than no race shirt. But that doesn’t mean I’m not in search of the perfect shirt every time I get to an expo. And the ones that do have women’s sizes and do fit? Well, those are the ones I’ll be wearing for a week straight after the race.
So the next time you’re tempted to order an abundance of super large men’s sized shirts for your participants, I beg you to re-consider. There’s nothing to lose – tight tops that don’t completely cover a person’s stomach are all the rage these days anyway.
In the meantime, do you think I could find a tailor to take some of these in?
With a huge thanks for all you do,
A regularly-sized Female Runner
LMAO – love this! I dont have any race shirts but I agree with the other shirts you get at contests/clubs/blood drives/etc!
LB! WHERE ARE YOUR PANTS?!
hahaha. I love this and definitely feel a weird connection to any race shirt, no matter the size. some I just end up sleeping in, but still. And I’m SO anal about picking up my bib the first day NYRR is open here in NYC (they’re usually open for bibs/shirts 3-4 days before the race) because I get SO MAD when there are no smalls left. It’s weird.
Kelly´s last post ..Back to running
Haha I really hope some race directors read this! It is SO true! And I was thinking the same thing about my Black Cat shirt the other day – I got so excited when they said it would be a tech shirt, but a big, baggy tech shirt isn’t nearly as exciting. I’ve come to the conclusion that most race directors are not female runners, otherwise they would totally understand this dilemma! I think my Boston shirt is the only one that really fits well. But I’m like you and keep all of my race shirts anyway – some even have holes in the arm pits I’ve worn them so many times
Maybe we should start running more all women races!
Yes! My Boston long-sleeved shirt is my absolute favorite. It fits so well that I’d probably wear it all the time even if it didn’t say Boston Marathon on it!
Ha… I got the medium black cat…it’s huge! & my nyc marathon shirt? It’s a L. I gave it to dave.depressing. Sign up for tory row! You get fitted women’s ts!
Lizzy´s last post ..Faith
Haha! Love it. You know how to rock the race dress.
I was cleaning my room last night and made a pile of race shirts on my bed. My brother couldn’t believe how many there were…and how few I can actually run in! I do wear my National shirt and I really like it, but I have a few real doozies. The one from the BAA 5K fits Adam and I paid something like $45 for that race!
Becky´s last post ..A Bold Day
The National shirt was a men’s size too! But it helps that it’s an extra small. They were all out of the extra smalls by the time my mom picked up her number and it’s amazing the difference between sizes – her’s is huge on her!
Haha love this post! It’s so true! There are never enough smalls and mediums! I usually have to go with a medium because I’m “busty” but the mediums are ALWAYS the first to go! So I have some smalls and some larges, but they don’t fit
Stephanie @ The Cookie Battle´s last post ..Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
These pictures crack me up! I guess if you are crafty you could make a quilt or something out of all the too large ones? I don’t know because I’m not crafty.
That would be awesome. Too bad I’m not crafty – I’m sure a race shirt quilt would be the talk of the town
This is hilarious. I’m definitely more into race hardware (medals) than software (shirts) but it’s so true that you can NEVER bank on getting a shirt that fits. I have mostly mediums, but ended up getting an extra small at the National Half. Go figure!
But hey, throw a belt around those giant T-shirts and you’ve got yourself a sexy little dress
Add a pair of leg warmers and you’d really be smokin’!
My problem with race shirts is that they’re so inconsistently sizes. Large for one race can actually feel like a medium for another, so usually I’ll go with the bigger and hope it’s not too big or too small.
That coveted “Goldilocks” size is still so elusive!
DC Runographer´s last post ..Cyclography might just be too hazardous
Hahahaha! This is so true… And the pictures to prove it are too funny, however as somebody mentioned above a belt and you’ve got a dress…
Short dresses are sooooo in fashion at the moment. (And always in fashion in the North East of England, but that is another matter altogether…)
Mari´s last post ..One Hit Wonder Wednesday well sorta…
I think you all are onto something. I might start a new trend! Race shirt dresses + compression socks = the hottest style of the summer.
I think you have a winner there! Cool, comfy, compressed and uber chic, oh yeah! (Hey that’s quadruple C!)
This is now officially a fashion blog! ;-D
Mari´s last post ..One Hit Wonder Wednesday well sorta…
I am so with you on the shirt thing! It makes no sense to have a bunch of XXLs…they’re not exactly the target audience for a race. D
LOVE this – so true! When races give cotton shirts, the smalls usually work for me but now that they have mostly switched to dri fit, the small shirts are just too big which makes me sad. I would love to wear my shirts!
Karen´s last post ..One Lazy Friday
Haha so cute! This is so true. I love all of my race shirts too, but sadly the too big technical ones end up going to my husband. I LOVE when races have women’s shirts. It makes such a difference!
LOVE this post! So very true! I have given countless really nice race shirts to my husband because they are huge on me! Last weekend, I ran the Cherry Blossom 10-miler and ordered a unisex small/youth large (crazy, I know). It’s too wide and super short! So frustrating!
Kristy@RunTheLongRoad´s last post ..Friday Favorites
I love your blog. I just started reading it through Liz’s “Food to Run For Blog.” Your marathon was truly inspiring – i got teary eyed (yea i am running dork). but i love this post…so so true on all points!
Haha loved this funny post! I did a half last summer where they gave shirts out at the end. They were cute & in women’s sizes, but I actually grabbed the last women’s small. I saw a ton of people end up with larges because obviously most people went for smalls/mediums, which they ran out of. That was kinda annoying, but most of the time, the shirts are great!
Lauren´s last post ..Guest Post
How cute are you in the Race Shirt Dress?!? What a fun post with some seriously valid points. I’ve always wondered why they make these extra crazy large shirts for running events where let’s face it there are more fit bodies than non.
i love all the pictures! you are better than i am. i will hold on to a race shirt for a year or so, but after that, it better fit and be in regular rotation, or it’s going to be gone.
the dawn´s last post ..in the hospital
SO TRUE! I’ve only completed – I won’t say ran, as I only ran 2 out of the 13.1 miles and walked the rest – one half marathon and the tee I got is huge. I use it to sleep in now as it’s too big to exercise in. I have the same problem with the shirts I get at my uni college’s annual College Day – they only ever get men’s sizes and as a petite female even the SS or S are pretty big on me. One year they sold women’s fit tees but they were in blue when our college colour is green so I opted for the men’s tee (which were green).
Hats @ See How She Runs´s last post ..BodyPump 07-04 run
duh, you’re so right with this!
last year I signed up for a Half and found out at the expo that the XS shirt was too big for me. I’m around 5’7″ (1.72 m) so I’m not the smallest female, all the girls were outraged, how are you supposed to run in a sack?
I end up giving most of the T-shirts to my husband, who’s 6’4″ish and they fit him!
hahaha I love this! I really hope that this gets into the heads of race organizers! I can’t stand HUGE oversized t-shirts, I guess they end up being good nighties though?!
So great to meet you today! See you Saturday!
I hear that!!
Haha! Your facial expression in these pictures are just too funny! Although I have not earned a race tee in a few years, I, too, understand the pain of the boxy, obnoxiously-colored “dress”. Sadly, I only have one or two left, or I could also have a fun modeling session
You crack me up Lauren. Anyway, look at all the “Mommy” shirts you now have.
Dad
They will never be nearly as good as my “daddy shirts”
My favorite race shirt was the Medina Twin Sizzler where I ended the race in the back of an ambulance. After being treated for dehydration I was taking back to the race to collect my 2nd place finisher prize….I don’t keep it for the 2nd place finish, I keep it for the $1,000 medical bill it cost me to earn it! I call it my $1,000 Tee! Bonus: it still fits great!
I would treasure that shirt too!! That seriously brings a whole new meaning to “earning” a shirt. Actually, I think you should frame it right alongside your medal
Oh my gosh, I love this post! I hate the race t-shirt issue!! They never fit. Even when I do get the size I did order, it never fails that the small is too small or the medium is too big. Or sometimes even the small too big! I never win! And it’s so sad because I LOVE my race shirts!!
Erin @ Until You Tri´s last post ..Food Fun and Amazing Beet Salad
Haha I keep meaning to do a post on all my race shirts…it’s a bit ridiculous. Most of the ones from marathons don’t fit, and I always think it’s funny because marathoners tend to be SMALL people yet all the shirts are huge! Who are these shirts made for??
Susan´s last post ..run slow to run fast
Now THAT is the million dollar question…
Hahaha! I love this! They ran out of smalls in the first 5k I ran so I ended up with a Youth Large. Better than a men’s medium, but still… haha!
I love this post! I hate that I have to end up with a shirt big enough to be a dress or small enough to fit our 2 year old niece…there has to be a middle of the road size out there somewhere!
Sarah´s last post ..What a difference a day makes