How to look chic while cycling to work

[PamNY]

The UK Times (http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article5839358.ece) explains it all for us.

Apparently you need Anna Sui boots and an extension on your home to store your excess clothes and shoes.

I do like the word "pootle" and plan to use it frequently.

Pam

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Seems like an awful lot of expensive fussing to me. :rolleyes:

[shootingstar]

Wow..some people..one of the women, Christina, the account director, said she has 25 dresses that she rotates for workwear. She wraps her dress for the day in tissue paper before putting into bag.

man, it's enough for me to make sure I have a clean plastic bag to put my workwear into pannier when bike commuting. (Actually I do save up a few nice clean plastic bags that didn't transport groceries initially.)

But I never had 25 dresses in my lifetime..at any given time. I did use to wear much nicer dresses a few years ago after getting off bike and before starting work. I still have them..if I can fit them. Hmmmm. hard for me to throw them out since I sewed them.

[lph]

It never cease to amaze me the amount of fuss some people can make out of getting dressed, but I am happy that even fashionistas can make bike commuting work for them.

But that one chicky had a bike that weighed 4,5 kgs!! *drool* :eek:

[Zen]

"To keep warm, I wrap myself up in a three-quarter-length Vivienne Westwood coat. If it’s raining, I’ll just wait for it to stop, but we don’t have that many downpours. If it’s spitting, I’ll wear a beret, and there’s an amazing Japanese hairdresser around the corner where I can go for a blow-dry if I need it. "

I started to deconstruct this but it's already such a wreck I'll let it alone.

[redrhodie]

"To keep warm, I wrap myself up in a three-quarter-length Vivienne Westwood coat. If it’s raining, I’ll just wait for it to stop, but we don’t have that many downpours. If it’s spitting, I’ll wear a beret, and there’s an amazing Japanese hairdresser around the corner where I can go for a blow-dry if I need it. "

I started to deconstruct this but it's already such a wreck I'll let it alone.

Ever watch "Absolutely Fabulous"? Now I'm imagining Edina on a bike.

[Eden]

I carry my clothes in a kayaker's dry bag... not so chic, I would guess. Of course the very first day I rode to work it poured rain so hard it was raining up, down and sideways.... my messenger bag didn't stand a chance and did leak (don't think it has since). Since I transport my camera back and forth I'd purchased some dry bags already - not willing to take a chance with it. I was happy and my clothes were dry when I got there.
I actually like wearing skirts at work, they take up much less space in my bag than pants, but I have a fairly active job, so I usually save the skirts for days I know I'll be mostly at my desk. I leave my shoes in my locker and I shower at work. I don't ever blow dry my hair (I have naturally curly/dry hair so not unless I'm going for the bozo the clown afro look....) and I don't wear makeup, so getting ready is pretty easy.

[Zen]

Ever watch "Absolutely Fabulous"? Now I'm imagining Edina on a bike.

Smoking :D

[Eden]

Ever watch "Absolutely Fabulous"? Now I'm imagining Edina on a bike.

What about Patsy.... who needs a helmet when you have a hairdo as solid as that...

[lph]

Just shellac it before leaving the house :D

[sgtiger]

Hmm..... I wonder if that trend will lead to Prada or Coach making bike handle bar bags. How about Jimmy Chu clippless shoes? :rolleyes: IIRC didn't Burberry team up with a British bike company to create a designer bike that looked like an Oma with some tricked out accessories?

I can't find a picture of it but I did pull this up on the search:

http://www.celebuzz.com/billy-zane-bikes-burberry-s57161//
How's that for showing up in style?!! :cool:

[sgtiger]

Ever watch "Absolutely Fabulous"? Now I'm imagining Edina on a bike.

Too funny!

[malkin]

I've stopped cycling in heels as I was ruining them all.

Maybe that's why I haven't got any.

[missjulied]

I find dresses are great for work when bike commuting because they take up VERY little room in the bag!

[Karma007]

Some people have too much time on their hands...

[Aint Doody]

I don't have any clothes that have a designer's name on them! My shoes are shoes, and my clothes are whatever was on sale. Woe is me!!

[madscot13]

But that one chicky had a bike that weighed 4,5 kgs!! *drool* :eek:

how is that possible?

I also can't believe I am not the only one who reads through the Times. I love it so much! It has so much

[Jolt]

Seems like an awful lot of expensive fussing to me. :rolleyes:

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. The term "high maintenance" comes to mind. What a waste! It's one thing to make sure you look professional, and of course it's important to be clean and well groomed, but it really doesn't have to be so complicated or expensive. Some of these women need to get a life!!

[sfa]

Is this for serious? It reads like Shopaholic Takes Up Bicycle Commuting! But I guess "chic" was never really in my vocabulary. "Pootle" might be now, though.

Sarah

[badgercat]

Granted, the tone of the article was a bit over-the-top, but I think it's great that they're riding bikes. If they want to commute wearing Jimmy Choos, I might personally find it a bit odd considering most of my shopping is done at thrift stores, but I'm not going to criticize them for it. Some people collect designer shoes just like some collect bikes. *shrug* To each her own, I say.

[Jolt]

Granted, the tone of the article was a bit over-the-top, but I think it's great that they're riding bikes. If they want to commute wearing Jimmy Choos, I might personally find it a bit odd considering most of my shopping is done at thrift stores, but I'm not going to criticize them for it. Some people collect designer shoes just like some collect bikes. *shrug* To each her own, I say.

Good point. Whatever we may think about their fashion choices, at least they're still out there riding and enjoying it. (I still think they're a little off their rocker.) BTW, great to hear of another thrift-store shopper! I often find things there that appeal to me more than what I see in the regular stores. Good source for craft materials too if you're into repurposing/recycling.

[Crankin]

While I love nice clothes, I still think these people are nuts for riding in dress clothes. I can't even ride in regular shoes anymore because I feel weird without being clipped in; I almost fell over in the middle of a busy intersection riding to the train last fall.
Of course, almost all of the women I saw riding to work in Italy were dressed elegantly, in heels or boots, often holding a latte. I guess it's all what you are used to.

[IvonaDestroi]

while I completely agree that their clothing choices are a bit excessive, I can also see where they're coming from. Their business IS fashion. They HAVE to wear that stuff to work or their high end clients won't take them seriously... how can you try selling fancy jewelry or clothing whilst wearing sweats?

And of course, sprouting from that, if there is a very pricy designer dress that you have to wear, then it makes sense to carefully wrap it in tissue and nestle it safely somewhere on your bike. No one's gonna stuff a $1,000 dress in a backpack... seriously!

personally, I am the anti-thesis of excessive materialsism, but I also believe in the theory of "to each their own", and I try to remain objective about it. I couldn't imagine wearing clothing like that on a bike, but at least they are trying to come up with ways to bike to work, despite all of the extra hassles they have to go through to do it. I say kudos for not driving despite the time and effort they'd probably save.

[shootingstar]

One thing for certain, if it was a nice dress, skirt or dress pants I sewed myself, I would not want to bike in them.

Anything I've sewn I tend to take far better care to make them last longer. I tend to handwash my own creations, not throw them into the wear and tear of washing machine. After all, that effort of altering the pattern, hunting for fabric and tailoring it to make it fit me, the garmet better last a..few years. :D

But then it wasn't long ago, I was cycling in cotton T-shirts and snubbed jerseys, believe it or not. And I was wearing those T-shirts and tripling the amount of annual cycling mileage!

[Duck on Wheels]

Hmm..... I wonder if that trend will lead to Prada or Coach making bike handle bar bags. How about Jimmy Chu clippless shoes? :rolleyes: IIRC didn't Burberry team up with a British bike company to create a designer bike that looked like an Oma with some tricked out accessories?

I can't find a picture of it but I did pull this up on the search:

http://www.celebuzz.com/billy-zane-bikes-burberry-s57161//
How's that for showing up in style?!! :cool:

What? You mean with him as a bike accessory? Oooh! I wouldn't mind riding with him sitting on the top tube. ;)

[Duck on Wheels]

Apparently this (click the numbers below the first picture to view the series) is what we're supposed to be investing in fashionwise this year, and what we'll be finding at the thrift shops another 5 years down the line. All the latest from fashion week in Paris. Number 8 in the series looks like something one could attach to a bike helmet for a costume ride. Looks like it's made up of tail lights and bike bells.

http://www.kjendis.no/2009/03/10/kjendis/mote/bildeserie/bildeserier/moteuke/5212070/

[redrhodie]

Apparently this (click the numbers below the first picture to view the series) is what we're supposed to be investing in fashionwise this year, and what we'll be finding at the thrift shops another 5 years down the line. All the latest from fashion week in Paris. Number 8 in the series looks like something one could attach to a bike helmet for a costume ride. Looks like it's made up of tail lights and bike bells.

http://www.kjendis.no/2009/03/10/kjendis/mote/bildeserie/bildeserier/moteuke/5212070/

The one thing I really liked was #43. It would clash with my bike, though. :rolleyes:

[kfergos]

Commuting by bike needn’t be an ordeal, however. Three high-flyers talk us through their Wonder Woman routines. It's funny they say that, because what those fashionable ladies do sure sounds like an ordeal to me! :D

[Bluetree]

To repeat others' comments... to each his own. People think the stuff I put on for a simple bike ride is excessive and an ordeal (bibs, baselayers, jersey, windvest, socks, shoes, oversocks, arm warmers, gloves, cap helmet, Road ID, reflective wristbands, etc...), but I don't feel that way.

As long as their shoes/clothes are not compromising theirs or others' safety, I think it's great that they can show others that bike commuting is possible without looking dowdy. I've worn a pair of Robert Clergerie loafers on my commute, along with my Burberry backpack and peacoat. If I can influence a single fashionista to get out of her car and onto a bike, all the better I'd say!

[Zen]

I wore a skirt [while riding] the other day and felt like Miss Marple :p

[GLC1968]

The first woman they described sounds like a piece of work...but the other two are really no different than a lot of us. They ride in sweats or leggings...and they do what they can to spiff up once they get to work. Sounds pretty normal to me.

If I had to dress fashionably, I'd be better about how I pack my clothes too...but since my work is casual, I'm lucky. And I too leave shoes at work...

Except for the label-dropping first person, I don't see what's so 'high maintenance' about these women. :confused:

[shootingstar]

You're right GLC, we're overfocused on perhaps the first chick.

When I get in, I freshen up in the bathroom and get changed. I wear a lot of dresses. My favourite at the moment is a petrol-blue one by Jaeger, and I love The West Village, Zara and Paul & Joe. Shoes tend to pile up under my desk, so I bring the car in once a month to do a bit of a clearout.

My day consists mainly of meetings with clients, so I always like to be wearing our jewellery. It’s the best way to market the product. The girls and I will raid the safe in the morning, and wear earrings, a necklace, a bracelet and ring — the bigger and more colourful the better. If I have to transport jewellery on my bike, I’ll always wear it. It’s much safer that way.


For last the featured chick, she mentioned about her shoes piling up underneath desk. Sounds like alot of stuff there! I actually rarely feel comfortable wearing jewellery except for a certain of earrings (which is designed not to fall off) and my all-purpose watch, which is waterproof but not a sport watch. I will pack up a bracelet (I only wear 1 wide bracelet at a time. Not jaggley sets of thin bracelets nor charm bracelets. Not my style.) Or a necklace. But not wear them while biking.

[RinkieRides]

I do like the word "pootle" and plan to use it frequently.


from the urban dictionary:

pootle: To roam or wander "I'll just pootle down to the shops"

[andtckrtoo]

I wore a skirt [while riding] the other day and felt like Miss Marple :p

I have a knee length black knit skirt with a rolled waist that I'll pair with leggings and ride to work. I get compliments on that outfit (I think it looks kind of goofy but hey). Of course, my commute is only 2 miles, so I can pretty much dress for work and ride in.

[Biciclista]

did any of you see the advertisement on the side of that article??


O rga sm during birth

Is a pain-free birth with multiple or ga sms possible?

(spaces added by me) :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
No, I didn't click on the link

[sgtiger]

did any of you see the advertisement on the side of that article??


O rga sm during birth

Is a pain-free birth with multiple or ga sms possible?

(spaces added by me) :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
No, I didn't click on the link

:confused::confused::confused:
I don't know about you all, but that was about the farthest thing from my mind when I was in hard labor.

[Biciclista]

:confused::confused::confused:
I don't know about you all, but that was about the farthest thing from my mind when I was in hard labor.

it was the farthest thing from MY mind when I was in LIGHT labor. What kind of $!@#$!@#$! BS is that?!??!

[Tuckervill]

I learned recently that there are some women for whom that happens as a natural consequence during birth. Why the heck not? It's all contracting down there already; all the same hormones are involved.

eta: OTOH, I don't see the point in trying for it.

Karen

[Zen]

I can think of better ways to get there :rolleyes: