suit/jacket sizing

[Nicole]

I hope this is the right place to ask about this and someone can help me without too many laughs!

So, I'm going to be starting my first hives this spring. I've got most of the stuff I need, but I'm looking at getting a jacket or a suit. Looking at the catalogs, the suits seem to be sized by chest measurement. And they seem to be cut/designed mostly for men. Since I'm female, and...ahem...blessed, let's say....where to I measure? LOL Over the girls, under the girls? I'm guessing over, like the widest part? And bigger is better for a jacket or suit, right, like a little baggy? I mean they don't make em outta spandex for a reason, I'm sure. Could some kind lady beekeeper out there give me some advice? LOL I don't want to waste my money on a suit that won't fit!

Thanks (and you're welcome for the chuckle :p)

Nicole

[beemandan]

You may want to pm magnet-man. He makes the ultrabreeze jackets and jumpsuits, so I'd guess he's addressed most measurement issues.

[kaisfate]

Nicole,
Also, being "blessed" in that department, and a lady...my suggestion would be to measure across the girls. Even if the jacket/suit is a little big everywhere else, there is nothing more annoying than having them squished. And from what I understand if the material is tight against the skin, the bees can sting through it. So.... thats not a place I would want to get stung :)

hth

-=Sarah

[Nicole]

Nicole,
Also, being "blessed" in that department, and a lady...my suggestion would be to measure across the girls. Even if the jacket/suit is a little big everywhere else, there is nothing more annoying than having them squished. And from what I understand if the material is tight against the skin, the bees can sting through it. So.... thats not a place I would want to get stung :)

hth

-=Sarah

This is exactly what I was thinking. Thanks Sarah!

[Sunshine]

Being 5'2" and -- um -- not an A cup, I also had to get a suit which was much too large is *most* areas. Since the wrists and ankles have elastic, extra length in the arms and legs is no real problem. However, the body was uncomfortably long - I really really really hated having the crotch seam fall halfway down to my knees. Solved the problem by sewing a piece of 1" waistband elastic into the area where I wanted the waist to be. The elastic only goes about 3/4 of the way around the waist, starting and ending a couple of inches on each side of the center front zipper. I stretched the elastic and sewed it with two rows of wide zig zag stitches. It is just enough to keep the pants up without pulling anything so tight that I get stung, and no problem bending over or moving around as there was when I tried a belt. Yes, my suit is a bit loose and puffy looking, but I keep telling myself that the marshmallow look allows better air circulation in hot weather...

[kaisfate]

Great tip sunshine....thanks much!!

Im thinking I will probably do this with my son's suit. Had to get him a 10/12 and he is only an 8...

-=Sarah

[jesuslives31548]

If it help any my wife wears and xtra large. If you look under photos you will see a pic I post of her in her jacket. She is 5'6 140 lbs 38 c...... So maybe that might help you a little. Any others questions I will have to direct to her...............

[beemandan]

At the risk of repeating myself, you may want to check with magnet-man. Not only has he probably been faced with these same issues, he might be willing to do a custom suit or jacket. It doesn't cost anything to ask and you may ultimately get exactly what you want. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

http://www.honeymoonapiaries.com/
Custom Sizes - We will do custom Huskies and Tall at no additional cost. Select the base size based on the waist measurment and tell us what demission you want to add to. Example: If you are tall and need a large jacket you might order a large and specify add 2" to "Center of Back To Wrist" and 4" to the Length.

[Scrapfe]

I hope this is the right place to ask about this and someone can help me without too many laughs!

So, I'm going to be starting my first hives this spring. I've got most of the stuff I need, but I'm looking at getting a jacket or a suit. Looking at the catalogs, the suits seem to be sized by chest measurement. And they seem to be cut/designed mostly for men. Since I'm female, and...ahem...blessed, let's say....where to I measure? LOL Over the girls, under the girls? I'm guessing over, like the widest part? And bigger is better for a jacket or suit, right, like a little baggy? I mean they don't make em outta spandex for a reason, I'm sure. Could some kind lady beekeeper out there give me some advice? LOL I don't want to waste my money on a suit that won't fit!
Thanks (and you're welcome for the chuckle :p) Nicole

Why not buy a jacket from MM and a pair of jeans from Carthart? Tuck the jacket inside the jeans and add a belt.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat601085-cat603417&id=0054551916042a&navCount=13&podId=0054551&parentId=cat603417&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=2UG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

[Brent Bean]

So Nicole, since you seems to have an answer on your sizing question. Check out Mann Lakes Economy suits. I have bought both the jacket and full suit and found them to be great suits for the money.