Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

Rapier_wit · 02-08-2006, 01:14 PM

I'm having a real problem trying to find a pair of preferably non-expensive knickers in my size. Unfortunately I'm not having much luck. What brand (American or European) carries the smallest woman's pants (waist, not length)?

KD5MDK · 02-08-2006, 02:54 PM

Not to demand personal details, but given the number of vendors we have here, knowing the target size would allow the half dozen or so who post here from time to time the chance to know for sure if they have something in your size.

swordwench · 02-08-2006, 03:14 PM

Let me begin by saying that I hate you. No, really... I hate you, and everyone that has to search far and wide for small waist sizes.

(Meh, talk to me after you've had a kid or two...)

OK, I feel better - now on to the real reason for my response.

Beware the sizing of knickers. They vary from vendor to vendor, and what passes for a specific size with one may not with another. Also, cotton vs. nylon may make a big difference. I have a pair of cotton AND a pair of nylon knickers from the same vendor, both tagged with the same waist size, and they have differed by at least a pants size since the day they arrived. One is far too big (the nylon), and other is rather on the small side till I've worn them around for a bit, and they've never seen the inside of a dryer.

D+F+P=Hadouken! · 02-08-2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapier_wit

I'm having a real problem trying to find a pair of preferably non-expensive knickers in my size. Unfortunately I'm not having much luck. What brand (American or European) carries the smallest woman's pants (waist, not length)?

Bloody hell, just order a pair from blue gauntlet or absolute. Don't worry about the waist size too much, since it will be covered up by a jacket. Just get a pair that fits you length wise. If I were you, I'd go for cotton knickers, since they're going to be plenty big on you as it is.

Rapier_wit · 02-08-2006, 05:59 PM

But then you would probably know better wouldn't you DFP, considering that as Rebel put it, you're just a taller, male version of me!

I had gone to Blue Gauntlet, but the smallest size they had was a 36 and the Triplette knickers/jacket that I'm wearing right now are a size 34 and I could fit a whole nother fencer in those pants! (Oh wait...that sounded really bad...)

KD5: Good suggestion (and no, I don't mind the details) I'll go with the bust-waist-hip ratio since that's what most people go by....31-23-32. (Yeah, I don't fit into normal clothes anyways)

Swordwench: Umm....I love...you?

(I take it that wouldn't help the situation any?) Which fabric would you say provides the better fit and more manueverability, nylon or cotton?

D+F+P=Hadouken! · 02-08-2006, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapier_wit

But then you would probably know better wouldn't you DFP, considering that as Rebel put it, you're just a taller, male version of me!

I had gone to Blue Gauntlet, but the smallest size they had was a 36 and the Triplette knickers/jacket that I'm wearing right now are a size 34 and I could fit a whole nother fencer in those pants! (Oh wait...that sounded really bad...)

So you can fit another fencer in there? Speak of the devil, you did. I am just a taller version of you, but my face isnt messed up, lol.

Absolute fencing has knickers in like, size 28, which is probably closer to your size. Good prices too.

KD5MDK · 02-08-2006, 07:26 PM

So , you're looking for a size 23 or such (knickers certainly don't look for the bust size) that fits your hips.

Um,
Sam, Scott, Craig, Rick, Alex-Barry, Bran? Got anything like that?

Rapier_wit · 02-09-2006, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D+F+P=Hadouken!

So you can fit another fencer in there? Speak of the devil, you did. I am just a taller version of you, but my face isnt messed up, lol.

Absolute fencing has knickers in like, size 28, which is probably closer to your size. Good prices too.

Yeah, I'm just glad nobody's taken the opportunity to jump in. I'd have to fence them off. How did I speak of the devil on that one, eh DFP? Pssh, you're face is more messed up than mine, little man!

Hmm, do they have an approximate size chart on any of those?

Ordway · 02-09-2006, 07:56 PM

I wear a size 28 from Absolute. They have a nice fitted waist, so it's not baggy at all. I suspect they probably have smaller sizes, too. I've always had good customer service from them, and the prices are good (and I like the stretch knickers a lot) so I'd give them a call.

Just out of curiosity, I whipped out the tape measure to measure myself (I typically buy all my gear at big events where I can try things on, so I haven't had to deal with size charts in ages.). I'm something in the vicinity of 32-27-36, which gives you some reference to judge the size of Absolute's size-28 knickers.

Rapier_wit · 02-13-2006, 05:59 PM

Psst! Anybody alive out there? Still having knicker problems over here.

KD5MDK · 02-13-2006, 06:08 PM

How many vendors have you contacted?

achilleus · 02-13-2006, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapier_wit

Psst! Anybody alive out there? Still having knicker problems over here.

I would reccommend calling American Fencer's, and ask about their house brand fencing pants. Personally, I hate them, but they are stretchy, and very close fitting. In addition, they don't have elastic suspenders like most fencing pants, they actually resemble 'bib knickers' (that's the term I've heard to describe them). So, no elastic that wears out to keep the pants up, and since it's cloth, one can actually stitch the 'suspender' to a desired, permanent length.

The sizes don't run in waist measurements, but xxsmall to xxlarge. Talk to them, and see if they have something that would fit you.

Other than that, you're looking at children's fencing pants from other vendors. Most vendors have websites, and most of the websites, have sizing charts to figure out what you need. If it's that difficult to size, you may need to custom order a uniform.

Rapier_wit · 02-13-2006, 07:13 PM

Hmm, that sounds like a good option. Thanks! Well, I haven't necessarily contacted any vendours, I've just looked at the websites.

It says they have a size 24, so that should work. Though, what exactly is a 3-W? Is that in regulation for competing?

D+F+P=Hadouken! · 02-13-2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapier_wit

Hmm, that sounds like a good option. Thanks! Well, I haven't necessarily contacted any vendours, I've just looked at the websites.

It says they have a size 24, so that should work. Though, what exactly is a 3-W? Is that in regulation for competing?

That stands for all 3 weapons. Just listen, you want absolute 350n knickers.

RITFencing · 02-13-2006, 08:24 PM

RW, will you be going to JOs? There will be vendors there so you can try on different knickers and get a feel for a good size.

chiz · 02-14-2006, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapier_wit

Hmm, that sounds like a good option. Thanks! Well, I haven't necessarily contacted any vendours, I've just looked at the websites.

It says they have a size 24, so that should work. Though, what exactly is a 3-W? Is that in regulation for competing?

If they don't fit take em to a tailo.. seamistress. Get them taken up, leave in the darts to let out later. You know Doug could fit in the last pair of knickers you had on.

chiz

Rapier_wit · 02-15-2006, 01:07 PM

Chiz - That's just a scary thought. I would go to a tailor except for the fact that I don't even have enough money to buy my knickers at the moment!.

DFP - Why do you suggest Absolute 350N over others?

*Note: Go look at the photo gallery. I took a picture of my knickers last night*

D+F+P=Hadouken! · 02-15-2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapier_wit

Chiz - That's just a scary thought. I would go to a tailor except for the fact that I don't even have enough money to buy my knickers at the moment!.

DFP - Why do you suggest Absolute 350N over others?

*Note: Go look at the photo gallery. I took a picture of my knickers last night*

Absolute 350n is good quality gear. I've seen it on people, and I just thought "damn, that stuff looks hot (in comparison to other cheap gear). Its also manufactured better than any of the other cheap uniforms, and they have better service. If you get it though, dont get their stretch nylon knickers, they're crap, get the cotton instead. It looks better and will last you longer.

***Craig*** · 02-15-2006, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapier_wit

Hmm, that sounds like a good option. Thanks! Well, I haven't necessarily contacted any vendours, I've just looked at the websites.

It says they have a size 24, so that should work. Though, what exactly is a 3-W? Is that in regulation for competing?

Here is the sizing chart for Leon Paul uniforms. We carry down to a size 24 but I'm not at the shop so I'm not sure what is in stock at the moment. You'll need to give a call for us to check.

fencerbunny · 02-15-2006, 03:59 PM

My daughter has the absolute "bib" style stretch nylon knickers and they are wonderful. I can't remember her measurements but she has the XXS and they fit great