Cycling clothing just not a good look

[Jen12]

Today I was doing a large ride--they said about 3000 riders were registered. I was people watching when I finished and I reflected on the fact that cycling clothing is just not flattering for most body types. Unless you're very slender, it just doesn't work. I think men have it the worst. The tight pants show off everything and any man with a bit of a belly is...well...again, the jerseys are not forgiving. Then again, I can't feel too sorry for them because men have the advantage most of the time when it comes to clothing!

[VeganBikeChick]

I completely agree. That's one of the reasons why I don't wear cycling clothing. My lumps and bumps are definitely not esthetically pleasing when encased in spandex

[Crankin]

I think that it's more important that they are out there, riding, being healthy, and trying to be fit. Who cares? I've ridden with many, guys, especially, who look like you describe, and they are super strong, fit people. Cycling clothes are what you wear cycling, to be comfortable. Maybe I have a certain lack of modesty, but I never worried about what others thought about me in cycling clothes, even when I started and was a bit bigger. And as far as cycling shorts "showing everything," well, they are men, and we all know what parts they have.

[Eden]

+1 Crankin. I don't get out there on my bike to care who looks at me... I do it to train, compete and stay fit. If you don't like my lumps and bumps don't look.

[jessmarimba]

Took me awhile to get used to it, but I think guys in bike clothes are pretty sexy now

[Jen12]

I think that it's more important that they are out there, riding, being healthy, and trying to be fit. Who cares? I've ridden with many, guys, especially, who look like you describe, and they are super strong, fit people. Cycling clothes are what you wear cycling, to be comfortable. Maybe I have a certain lack of modesty, but I never worried about what others thought about me in cycling clothes, even when I started and was a bit bigger. And as far as cycling shorts "showing everything," well, they are men, and we all know what parts they have.

I'm not criticizing the people by any means. I was just making a comment about the clothing being functional as opposed to stylish. Bowling and weighlifting shoes are equally as unflattering. It is what it is.

[tangentgirl]

took me awhile to get used to it, but i think guys in bike clothes are pretty sexy now

+1.

[Crankin]

Well, I think cycling clothes are stylish for cycling. It seems as if I spend more $ on athletic apparel of all types, as opposed to my regular clothes, so whoever is marketing this stuff, it's working with me .

[Owlie]

Took me awhile to get used to it, but I think guys in bike clothes are pretty sexy now

+1

I have a bit of a belly, but I will quite happily wear lycra. Black is slimming. I got used to it, though I won't wear the skin-tight jerseys. (Someone in my university's cycling club mixed up my order and got me a "race cut"...I don't wear it very often!)

[bmccasland]

I didn't worry too much about the "scenery" when I was drafting behind a big guy on a long ride. Usually that rider could ride circles around me. Sometimes they tease me about being "little" when it was my turn to pull - I'm not skinny.

There are some people who shouldn't be seen in spandex - they're usually the ones not on a bike route. If they're on a bike - Go rider go!

[malkin]

I base my fashion taste on what doesn't itch.
Gilda Radner

Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.
Coco Chanel

It pains me physically to see a woman victimized, rendered pathetic, by fashion.
Yves Saint-Laurent

Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.
Oscar Wilde

[radacrider]

At this point in my life, I am a "to each their own."

Way back, I only wore cycling specific shorts and tops. Now, I wear what is comfortable, which is usually not cycling specific, but is wicking, stretchy, loose on top, or the occassional halter cycling top. Mostly what is comfortable for commuting 6 miles one-way, which might occassionally include athletic shorts (no chamois) over a skirt/dress; sometimes cotton tops, my jeans, capris. So I am sure I get evaluations from all sides of the cycling communities.

[zoom-zoom]

If I gave a rat's behind what I looked like I'd be one of those chicks at the gym in a perfectly coordinated outfit with full makeup and not a hair out of place who would never do anything to break a sweat. And I would avoid the weights, because I'd be afraid that I might get bulky (I wish!). And staying fit would be miserable. And I'd probably hate myself. And I might be judgemental towards men and women who are flinging sweat around and getting smelly and enjoying their dose of endorphins, even if stuff jiggles on their bodies. And I'd probably be secretly envious of and annoyed by that woman carrying an extra 20#s, yet pounding out an hour or more on the treadmill because the roads are icy, the windchills are in the negatives, and she's training for a big Spring race...

[redrhodie]

I love my cycling clothes. I wear mostly wool jerseys that are simple and flattering. I would wear them on the street, if I weren't afraid of getting stains, as I'm prone to doing. But then again, I also like really obnoxiously colorful kits as well. They're fun.

[Biciclista]

While I agree that an obese person looks terrible in bike duds, I can't say that is true for everyone. Some people look terrific in bike clothes. I love the wonderful colors and designs you can get in the jerseys, I SO appreciate POCKETS that are even to be found in WOMEN'S jerseys. I like seeing healthy people out on their bikes. In lycra, cotton, wool, whatever. And I don't care what others think really if they don't like looking at an old lady in lycra, is it really any worse than walmart people???