For too long, the apparel industry has described garments in ways that are unhelpful and outdated. The current system is rooted in and relies on a traditional understanding of gender identity, and so rarely classifies products with respect to how they are actually shaped. All of us have likely experienced frustration with the current classification and language system, which does little to communicate how a garment will fit across a range of body types. And everyone seems to agree that the current system should be better. Change is needed, now.
Bakline is proud to implement something different after extensive consultation with a broad spectrum of athletes. Our goal is to obviate the gender-based classification system through more descriptive product language, better photographic representation and a more holistic product creation process, particularly with respect to size range.
This goal presents the opportunity to design apparel cuts that specifically recognise and reflect the ways in which our bodies are different so that you can be comfortable when selecting products to perform at your best in training and on race day. But we firmly believe that we can both design apparel to recognize our differences, while describing and representing our products in a way that is more inclusive and helpful for all.
Our system centers on the basic shape of our garment and we have aligned our cuts to be generally consistent with gendered sizing distributions for informational purposes only.
- You can determine the cut based on the product title
- The size recommender app and the Sizing & Fit guidance is on each page
- You can always contact us via Live Chat or email for help.
Contoured Cut: These garments are generally designed for individuals with a more contoured torso, as the garment is constructed to contour bodies with chests often requiring the use of a sports bra and/or hips. Our contoured cut and its size bands are commonly described or labeled by other brands as a "women’s cut." The size you most expect to be, if reaching for a garment labeled as “women’s,” would be a helpful starting point.
Straight Cut: These garments are generally designed for individuals with a more uniform torso, as the garment is generally straight in its construction. Our straight cut and its size bands are commonly described or labeled by other brands as a "men's cut," "unisex cut," or “tailored unisex” though our garments are NOT designed to be slim fit. The size you most expect to be, if reaching for a garment labeled as “men’s,” would be a helpful starting point.
Relaxed Versions of Contoured and Straight Cut : These garments differ from their regular cut family of garments in that they are often looser and have more room in the shoulders. This is great as its own style, or for layering, or you may choose to size down.
One of the most important factors in online buying is knowing what size to select. Too often we hear a customer say that they have an array of sizes in their wardrobe because this brand runs small, and that one runs large, and this other brand changes their cut every year they never know what to get. We know our system may take time to get used to, but we are committed to clarity and consistency. We have
- Consciously thought of intuitive language,
- Written product specific guidance and taken hundreds of photos of each garment with differently sized models,
- Clarified in our guidance on which gendered size band our cut relates to (i.e., what would your go-to size be if you were in a new shop and in the men’s section?), and
- Designed and calibrated a size recommender for each product which takes into account the stretch and drape of the fabric and intended fit.
While no recommendation application is perfect, we are confident our system and tools will give you the information to make the right call, and if not, you can always reach out to us for help!
