When you are a young athlete who is just starting out, something as simple as buying your uniform can be a confusing experience. Although we celebrate and encourage equality for men and women across all sports, there are several intrinsic differences in men's and women's sports uniforms to be considered. In this article, we aim to explore those uniform differences in order to help you better understand how and why some athletic apparel is exclusively designed for men or women.
Differences in Men's and Women's Sports Uniforms
When it comes to playing the sport you love, the uniform you proudly wear is hardly one size fits all. Everyday clothing is often thought to define us as either men or women, but athletic apparel is very different in that it is designed to provide a complete range of motion according to your body type. The clothes you wear will likely influence your performance on the field or court. Fortunately, we have outlined some of the common differences between men's and women's uniforms.
One of the most notable differences between the uniforms that men and women wear is in the sleeves. Men's sleeves are very simple in either long or short form. Men's uniforms must have plenty of room to move for catching, reaching, passing, and so much more. As a result, a man's sleeve will likely never fit tight around the arm. However, a woman's sleeve is typically wide regardless of the shirt size, though many women's sleeves are much shorter than men's, capped so that they are more comfortable on the arm. The shape of a man's athletic tee is usually straight up and down, and the shoulder area may have a sloping effect from the collar to the sleeves. Women's athletic shirts are tailored to be much narrower in order to eliminate loose or bunching fabric.
In terms of athletic pants, there are several key differences between pants made for men and women. Adult males are usually taller than women. In fact, the Disabled World: Disability and Health News reported that the average adult male in the U.S. was approximately 5'10" tall, whereas the average adult female in the U.S. was approximately 5'5" tall. Men's pants are generally longer than women's pants for this reason, and they have longer inseams.
In addition to being taller than most women, adult men tend to have wider waists, which is not the same as having wider hips. Men's athletic pants typically have wider waistlines than women's athletic pants. What's more, many of the pants and shorts you see at the store are designed to be fitted, which means that they hug the contours of a woman's legs when she is wearing them.
How to Find the Perfect Size and Fit for Your Body
Determining the right size and fit for your sports uniform may seem tricky, but it's actually simple and straightforward. Start by measuring from the center of the back of your neck, over the point of the shoulder, around the elbow, and down your wrist to determine an adequate sleeve measurement. Then measure around the fullest part of your chest to determine the bust. Measure around the narrowest part of your waist, which is typically the small of your back. Measure around the fullest part of your hips as well as from the crotch to the bottom of the leg opening for the perfect inseam length. Measure from your waist to the desired length of your shorts to determine the right outseam for your body type.
Now that you know some of the fundamental differences in men's and women's sports uniforms as well as how to properly size a uniform, you have the competitive edge in choosing the right uniform size and fit for your body. At Dynamic Team Sports, we make it easy for you to outfit the entire team with custom uniforms made of the highest quality fabrics and top-of-the-line moisture-wicking or cooling technology. If you have any questions about this article or would like to learn more about our customization services, please feel free to contact us for additional information.