Matching gear/bike/clothing...

[GLC1968]

In my non-bike life, I have always despised the 'matchy-matchy' look. I like things to coordinate (or not clash) but I've always been careful to avoid super matching things. For example, when I bought ski gear, I usually picked out black accessories so that I wouldn't look like I was trying to make it all match and yet it would all still look decent together. I even refuse to wear jewelry sets. I like my jewelry to coordinate...but I hate when my earings exactly match my necklace (or any other pieces of jewelry).

Why is it that I find myself enjoying those days where my jersey happens to match my bike? Why did I just pick out a new jacket this weekend in light blue to go with my new bike? Why did I feel the need to replace perfectly good gloves with ones that matched my bike?

Does anyone else find this happening to themselves? Am I becoming a matching freak? I still don't like matching jewelry, so my guess is this is unique to the bike. Tell me I'm not the only one!

[suzieqtwa]

I also buy things that match my bike...right now I'm have a red hybrid ,so I have a red helmet , red and black socks...etc. My new bike is black ,so I will have to buy a black Hemet although my red one is in perfect shape. Lucky for me this new bike will be black ,so I can wear any color.

[Bluetree]

I might have gone over to the Dark Side and become One with my bike, except for one thing... My bike is slate blue and if I wore a matching kit, I would be practically invisible in the early morning fog. The marine layer can be pretty thick near the beach.

Although... I am guilty of completely outfitting myself in Castelli/Specialized Red when I ride, helmet, socks and all. I am after all, an Aries.

[Kimmyt]

I'm like you with the matching. All of my ski gear (skis included) is black or gray. I just got a jacket that is a dusty blue, and all my base layers are odd colors, but basically I don't focus on matching.

With cycling, I've been saved because I don't have much money to spend on clothing. I tend to buy what's on sale, and if I matched my bike, I'd look lik ea barbie doll (my bike is teal and silver! ugh!). Right now most of my stuff is red, which doesn't really go with the bike, but I enjoy the disparity of the colors. I also have an orange shirt with pretty much clashes (in a good way) with the frame color.

The closest I've gotten to considering matching gear is that I do find myself tempted to buy a pink jersey, just because pink and teal is soooo Jem!

[SouthernBelle]

Since I got Black Beauty, which has orange and white trim, I'm all about orange. This is convenient becuase I can wear my vols stuff. I bought an orange rain jacket yesterday. My orange tires should be in next week. I practically had to tear myself away from an orange and black Shebeest jersey yesterday. I'm so ashamed

[Bad JuJu]

I dislike the matchy-matchy look, too, but I do like things that coordinate somehow. For example, since my Bianchi is the celeste color, I tend to get cycling tops in shades of green or teal. On the other hand, my jacket is super-visible yellow and my helmet is in Giro's White Camo pattern. So maybe I don't coordinate that well after all. But hey, you've gotta be visible!

[GLC1968]

Ok, so now I need opinions...

I have this bike:

(except that the bottle cages are now white and the bottles are blue!)

I'm in the market for a new helmet. The one I have fits me, but it looks HUGE on my head. I've found a style that still fits well, but is a bit more streamlined on the outside. Question is..what color?

I like the silver combo or the basic white...


But I also like this blue. Is the blue too much? (I'm kind of thinking it is, but yet I still like the helmet...)



(The blue of the bike is not quite as turquoise-y as it looks in the photo, it's pretty close to the color of the blue helmet)

[LBTC]

My new bike is black ,so I will have to buy a black Hemet

My suggestion is - don't get a black helmet for two reasons:

black is hot in the sun
black is not as visible

since everything goes with a black bike (I have 2 and wish my third was too), go for a nice visible colour helmet that you like: white, silver, orange, red, yellow, or something like that....get something you like, but make sure it makes your head seen!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[light_sabe_r]

Another vote for blue helmet with blue bike!

(coming from someone with a pink helmet for her pink bike and just bought gloves with reinforced webbing that were ALSO the same shade of pink...)

Yes GLC, I have the MATCHING disease too... Bf reckons there IS such a thing as too much pink! I tell him there IS such a thing as too much celeste! (Bianchi green)

[Thistle]

Why is it that I find myself enjoying those days where my jersey happens to match my bike? Why did I just pick out a new jacket this weekend in light blue to go with my new bike? Why did I feel the need to replace perfectly good gloves with ones that matched my bike?

cos you're normal like the rest of us

[7rider]

I think I've also gone over to the Dark Side.
I recently gave away my ski helmet in favor of a blue one to match my jacket and skis (pants are ALWAYS basic black - like bike shorts or tights).
My mittens and gloves also coordinate.
If it doesn't match directly - it's black.
Sad.
Bike gear not necessarily the same way - my clothes don't all match my bike, but I try to have gloves match the jersey I'm wearing. My helmet (Giro Pneumo) is red/white/blue, which sort of matches my commuter, but not my mtb or road bike. Sigh. I can live with that, however.
It kills me when I would see DH on his rust colored bike (now gone) in a blue helmet and blue LBS kit. Gads! Horrible color clash! He's got to get a new basic silver or ti helmet next!
See...so not only do I try to coordinate myself, I'm trying to coordinate my DH.
It's a disease.
Oh...And I also vote for the blue helmet - if that's your only bike. Go for basic white if you have others you ride.

[caligurl]

oh MOST DEFINITELY the blue helmet! gorgeous!

[five one]

First off, I think the blue helmet is *really* pretty. I'm thinking it's time for a new helmet for myself, and I like the design of these. What is the brand?

I have always worn a white helmet so that it will match (or at least not clash with) whatever jersey I'm wearing. I always make an attempt to match jersey, socks and helmet. Do you wear a lot of jerseys with blue in them? Or plan to? If so, I'd go with the blue. Otherwise, I'd go with white. But if you are really drawn to the blue, buy it. Whatever makes you feel good while riding is the right choice.