To ponder over men’s vs women’s athletics outfits

[edwinbear]

Watching the European Championship athletics. I can’t help but wonder why the women are in their pants, which ride up their bums whilst running whilst the men are in far more practical running shorts.

DH reckons the women must get some input into their outfits - I think they probably don’t.

That's not true sirfred, I they also consider things like getting the best sponsorship and advertising deals.

Yes Edwinbear, for major competitions, the designer produces a range of possibilities and the athlete chooses.

Bestseller I have a 9 yr old runner who spends a lot of time at our local athletics track. You are absolutely right in that non of his peers, (or the juniors to which he aspires), run in their pants. He trains before the 16-18 yr olds, the women are in the same shorts as their male counterparts.

Bestseller you get better sponsorship by medalling at a championship, than finishing 4th but wearing exactly the same clothes as all the others...

But yes, gymnastics is an absolute shit-show, but then any "sport" which treats men and women differently doesn't really deserve being called a sport.

Seren the gymnastics outfits are a real live issue for me right now. DD (6) has just started doing some competitions where she has to wear a leotard (fine) but is not allowed to fish it out of her bum. I was a gymnast - these are the rules, I know this. She knows this, and at training she wears shorts over her leotard. But she feels desperately embarrassed when (in her words) her noonie is showing during her box splits.

My 12 year old trains at athletics 3+times a week. The club rules state vests and leggings at least 4 inches down the leg, as they don't feel that bra tops and pants are suitable for the age group. (that's a different argument) her peers and her tell me they would prefer the bra and pant type for comfort and hence

'Do you think the designers create a number of outfits for women i.e. these are the knickers, these are mid length shorts, and these are long shorts and they all just choose the knickers? I’d love to know.'

Yes, for high level eg Olympics, and if selected you get to order your items from the (lng) list of those produced, which is based on any formal rules, plus what items athletes say they want. There were interviews about this in 2012. I'll see if I can dig one out.

Auntie thank you

Out does you daughter actually feel more comfortable in the pants? If that’s the case of course she should wear whatever she likes, does she worry about, or even feel them riding up or am I worrying on behalf of our female athletes where I really needn’t?

Yes the athletes can choose any from the whole range of garments produced, as well as the standard formal suit for the ceremonies and the tracksuits etc. My dh’s kit is different from his teammates because of personal preferences and I’ve seen the order forms they have to complete before they receive their kit at the venue/sent out to them beforehand, the list of possible kit is vast.

The crop tops female runners wear look more supportive than a traditional running vest.

edwinbear, poor little thing I do feel for her.

The men get to wear sensible shorts and t-shirt type tops, the women have to wear silly skirts or dresses with shorts underneath and what look like quite tight tops.

There’s no rule that states women have to wear dresses.

One of the semi-finalists at Wimbledon this year wore shorts.

I run (obvs not at any level....just for fun!) Currently training for 25 mile race. In this weather I’d love to be able to wear crop top and big knickers on my long sweaty runs. So comfy, and provided the knickers/shorts fit well, they don’t ride up.

However, at pushing 40 and 0.5 stone of fat to shed I wouldn’t inflict that sight on anyone!!

Aside from professional Sports Women, I wish that there was more choice in the styles of bottoms, for Bikini/Tankinis, for swimming.

Men's shorts/Swim Tops are everywhere, but Women have to swim in what looks like underwear.

It could, of course, be that the women are extremely proud of the bodies they have worked so hard to create and want to show them off?

If I had a body like Dina Asher-Smith, I definitely would!

Bonnie I think most of them are more concerned about winning the event they’ve been working towards since they were about 10 than displaying their bodies

Women have been wearing shorts at Wimbledon since the 50s, they have had the option if they want to. Martina Navratilova wore shorts and was very successful, her shorts weren't tight or revealing.

@thirstyformore I am a few years older than you and have a bmi of over 25. I run in crop top and cycling shorts because it is the most comfortable. Fuck what anyone else thinks!

I tried buying a pair of shorts for the gym recently and ended up having to get men's shorts as all the women's shorts were either far too short or skin tight.

Men's shorts/swim tops are everywhere but women have to swim in what looks like underwear
No we don't. My daughter always wears a costume that has short legs and a high top. There is a variety of 'modest style' costumes around. One lady in my pool swims in a costume with a little skirt.

You only have to Google "Peter Beardsley slide tackle" to realise why men don't wear similar garments... just don't do so at work.

I had a similar problem with bits showing with me PE shorts in the 80s, and that was most definitely a problem with the shorts, iyswim.

And while shorts like Linford Christie's would solve that problem, perhaps that shows that male athletes are more self-conscious or less inclined to run with the herd.

noeffingidea

Yes, I remember Wimbledon in the 80s, and as a boy of 11 wondering why only Navratilova had the presence of mind not to wear those ridiculous short knicker-showing skirts.