<p>Every year we have bicyclists die tragically in our neck of the woods. I can tell you that I can spot a cyclist wearing one of the neon yellow jackets at least thirty seconds before I can spot one wearing any other color, including white or red or orange; this makes a huge difference in reaction time. If it were my daughter and she were talking about cycling at night, I would do my best to impress upon her the importance of reflective gear. Safety trumps style.</p>
<p>Buy a North Face fleece and then layer a rain jacket for when she needs more wind resistance. It’s the best way to go imho. They do have jackets which have windstopper, I have one from REI which I loved until I outgrew it. It was very warm but not hot when it was warmer out. My jacket is kind of like this one [Patagonia</a> R4 Fleece Jacket - Women’s at REI.com](<a href=“http://www.rei.com/product/802864]Patagonia”>http://www.rei.com/product/802864)</p>
<p>I have a D the same size. Don’t even bother with Lands End or LL Bean, she will swim in the XS. My D has a north face denali in an XS which fits great, they say you can buy a child’s size but my D has really long arms and it’s not as fitted as she likes. I think Patagonia fits about the same.</p>
<p>My daughter was a triathlete and she had two cycling Jackets, one Pearl Izumi and one Sugoi, very similar to the one linked above. The Sugoi was very warm and blocked the wind, which is critical for riding in the cold. The Pearl Izumi was not lined and just blocked the wind. Both held up very well to repeated washings.</p>
<p>It seems like the fundamental question is a choice: Is she trying to look stylish and athletic because she’s riding fairly far/with some effort, and is sweating, and can change before having to look well-dressed, or is she’s just cruising between home and work/school, riding less than two miles, and can get away with something less sporty and more stylish.</p>
<p>I agree with the comments about needing to be visible, but white is going to get trashed if she rides in rain. This brings up the fenders she might want to get if she doesn’t have them already, and also lights, both to see and be seen. If she’s got enough bling on the bike, she can get away with a more muted, stylish jacket, but it will have to coordinate with her helmet :)</p>
<p>I did come across this charming blog which causes me to want to reinvent my riding style.</p>
<p>[Bicycle</a> Riding Cape, Red Legs, Fashion](<a href=“http://ridingpretty.blogspot.com/2010/03/bicycle-riding-cape-red-legs-fashion.html]Bicycle”>Bicycle Riding Cape, Red Legs, Fashion)</p>
<p>In Ohio, too, North Face is what is stylish for young women. In Minnesota and Oregon, they tend to wear Columbia more often. Like this for cool but not cold weather.
[Columbia</a> Trail Trip™ Rain Jacket at Zappos.com](<a href=“Columbia trail trip rain jacket + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com”>Columbia trail trip rain jacket + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com)
My 23-year-old niece is that tiny size and buys Columbia kids’ jackets. Worth a try. (I love Columbia but would advise against the ones with layers that zip together. I find them too “bunchy” for moving around much.)
(My 21-year-old daughter would probably wear a North Face style polar fleece with a hooded windbreaker over it.)</p>
<p>Wow, lots of great suggestions! Thanks–have sent D the link. She’s busy with classes & plans for Vegas at the moment but will look at this as she gets colder.</p>
<p>To clarify, she doesn’t bike far, just between her apartment & campus (maybe a few blocks). She does get cold because she’s very petite & has virtually no body fat. She’s also used to HI weather rather the colder LA night temps.</p>
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<p>The distance doesn’t matter. MOST accidents happen very close to home. I agree, if biking is the reason for this garment, safety should come FIRST…or she should ride during daylight hours ONLY (and even then with some kind of garment that is visible easily to drivers).</p>
<p>Yea, what SHOULD happen and we can get our loved ones to do can often not match up as we’d like. Her best friend’s dad is lying in a long term coma, from a bike accident with no helmet. Looking pretty grim. :(</p>
<p>She’s currently ill, so we haven’t been chatting; she’s most just been doing a LOT of sleeping. Hope she’s better soon but can’t reach her from 2500 miles away. Can’t call as I don’t want to wake her–she’s been sleeping 16 & 17 hours/day!</p>
<p>Hope she got better! 16-17 hours sounds too much like mono</p>
<p>Yea, she does have chronic mono that ebbs and wanes. Unfortunately, it is flaring at the moment. She did sound better the last time we spoke, so I’m encouraged that she is recovering. Thanksgiving weekend should also help her recover! Hope she fully recovers & does her makeup before finals start up.</p>
<p>I figure she must not be freezing, since her interest in a warm jacket has slackened again.</p>