Many months back (in March), when writing a piece around my personal experience of being a female-identifying member of the craft beer community (you can find it here), I had raised a topic on my personal Facebook page about brewery merch in women's sizing and how frustrating it was that it wasn't a more common occurrence. There was a lot of understanding and civil discussion around it as well as the practicalities of why this wasn't the most feasible option for many (most) breweries. I appreciated the dialogue - most of which was coming directly from those working within the industry and they were all very understanding but matter-of-fact on the practicalities that come with this type of decision. It was eye opening for me and I hope I was also able to give something back in regards to the counter talking points.
In response to the dialogue, Mike from Wild Weather Ales reached out and commented to tell me that voices had been heard and understood and that they would make an effort to cater to more shapes and sizes outside of just "big beer bodies". The gesture in itself meant a lot to me but I almost expected it to be lightyears away from happening (if ever). Within days, I was contacted by the legend who is Iain (who you'll remember from Episode 25 of A Woman's Brew) with some additional market research-eque questions.
Making a longer story shorter, I ended up being gifted this EPIC Wild Weather ladies fit Cephalopod t-shirt that can be purchased here. It has since become one of my favourite shirts and in exchange, I wrote some words after having worn it a twice:
In a time where finding a lady's fit top from one of your beloved craft breweries feels akin to finding a holographic Charizard, I was pleased to find any concerns about the sizing on Wild Weather's new ladies' fit tops were almost immediately unfounded.
Because I've become so used to ordering from the "men's" or "unisex" offerings, I was pleasantly surprised to find how true to size the fit was. I normally buy a woman's medium when not shopping for brewery merch and this top fit me exactly as a standard "M" normally would (obviously conscious that some shops can vary).
Speaking as a person with a larger bust, I really appreciate a good scoop neck as I find the higher, rounded necks you typically get with the men's/unisex tops to be more suffocating (and, overall, I prefer a scoop or v-neck just as a personal preference). It was also refreshing having sleeves on a brewery top that sat above my elbows. It's a cap sleeve style, meaning it wasn't too much of an effort to roll them up in the sun to expose my arms more fully and avoid getting awkward tan lines.
It's already been through the washer (and tumble dryer) once already and re-worn, but I've not notice any shrinkage or damage to the printed areas whatsoever. The fabric itself is a sturdy but soft, breathable, medium-thick cotton and you can tell it's quality material that will hold up.
Two thumbs up from me and a hope that more breweries will adopt similar styles in the foreseeable future. Big thanks to the Wild Weather team for hearing the comments from the community and taking action to ensure those of us preferring a woman's fit/cut also have an option. (Big thank you to the Wild Weather team. I cannot wait to wear it on many more occasions to come).
Since writing this, it has indeed been worn on many many maaaannyyy more occasions and cycled through the washer and dryer more times than I can count but remains unscathed and the sentiments expressed above have only blossomed further.
I love that I can wear it tucked into a skirt for a night out when I'm feeling spicy and want to be more on the "feminine" side but equally works with just a pair of jeans (or - let's be real - leggings). It makes me feel comfortable, confident, and cute in a way that a men's or unisex simply can't. I will shed tears and mourn the day it becomes too tattered to hug my curves or escort me on a night out. I am very seriously considering buying a backup (and one in white because - ya'nno - options) when in the new year once I've paid off holiday debts. The icing on the cake would be if I could get it in the neon colours or with some of their older designs like they used to do in the unisex sizing - but I am certainly not trying to push my luck here (I just want to maximise my wardrobe with what I like).
None of the above is being said casually or because of a feeling of obligation. I very genuinely mean every word. The proof is there if you look through my camera roll on my phone as you'll see the majority of photos of me when out and about are still (months later) with this shirt adorning my body. It is very much true love, if you can experience true love with an item of clothing/brewery merch.
I will continue to buy women's tops (as I find them and can afford them) to push the agenda and show the importance and demand within the craft beer industry for diversity in sizing. And while I'll continue to understand the hurdles faced that fully prevent or cause tricky roadblocks in making this happen, I will look forward to a future where this becomes far more commonplace than it is in the here and now at the end of 2021.
And - again - mahoooosive thank you to Wild Weather Ales. Not just for always being really decent human beings (understatement). Not just for pushing out some really interesting beers without fear of not appealing to the widest audience possible. Not even for providing me with said shirt at the start of summer (though I am thankful for all of the above and more). The real thanks is for taking the time to listen, participate in the dialogue, and take active steps to make people feel included even if it was a slightly risky gamble with finances. THAT is something that will garner my continued support.
*Just extra proof below - all these photos were taken on separate occasions AFTER I wrote up the above and these were just picked because they were the first ones I saw that you could see the WW logo/artwork to prove it was this shirt. I have so many others where I know, it's just not as clear in the picture. Take that for what you will... I fucking love this shirt.*
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