"Straight Cut" tops (STR in title) are commonly described or labeled by other brands as a "men's," "unisex" or "tailored unisex" though our garments are not slim fit. The torso is more uniform or straight in structure. The size you most expect to be, if reaching for a garment labeled as "men's," would be your best starting point.
"Contoured Cut” tops (CON in title) are commonly described or labeled by other brands as a "women's cut." The contoured design accommodates larger chests and hips. The size you most expect to be, if reaching for a garment labeled as "women's," would be your 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.
“Men’s and Women’s Cut” shorts or bottoms are labeled in a more traditionally gendered way, though we do subtly reframe the language, for example, as a "Men's Cut short" rather than "Men's Short" which places emphasis on the way it is cut and away from ascribing our pieces to a specific type of person.
WHY WE USE DIFFERENT LANGUAGE
For too long, the apparel industry has described garments in ways that are unhelpful and outdated. We know this because getting the right size isn’t easy for most, especially when you can’t try it on. The traditional 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 and feel or communicate how a garment will fit across a range of body types. Most agree that the current system should be better.
Bakline is proud to use 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 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.
Given how often people shop across the traditional gendered product divide in search of something that best fits their body, we feel this system is more functionally helpful, and more inclusive in approach. Anyone, regardless of gender, can be comfortable and perform well in any of our cuts depending on your personal preferences, body shape, size, and style.
- Consciously thought of intuitive language,
- Ensured the Cut Name is in or next to the product name on the product page
- Written product specific guidance and taken 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 system is perfect, we hope our tools will give you the information to make the right call. And if not or you are unsure, you can always reach out to support@bakline.com or open the live chat for help!
ATHLEISURE SIZE CHARTS