Loose Clothing?

[pooks]

I find the cycling shorts comfy, too. I do think looser tops are more comfortable, though. I just found it an interesting concept, since it pretty much flies in the face of standard advice.

Seersucker tempts me. It is the traditional summer fabric, but then, like other cotton, it might get too clingy and clammy when it's wet. Not sure about that.

[jobob]

Seersucker is supposedly a lot cooler than regular cotton. Worth a try.

My husband has been talking about getting a seersucker shirt for summer riding, either from Riv or elsewhere. He wears baggy tops when riding, either loose-fitting wool jerseys (lighter weight ones in the summer) or mtn bike style jerseys. He can't stand anything snug on top. Plus loose tops camouflage his belly

He still wears the lycra shorts though; he didn't ride with lycra shorts for quite some time, but then once he tried them he liked 'em and now always wears the lycra shorts for any sort of distance ride.

[Zen]

I used to laugh at cycling shorts (HA-ha!) but now I see them as a necessity. as for jerseys, I like the pockets in the back for chapstick, gum, car key and mad money. I also like the jerseys because not much else comes in hi-vis yellow.

But wearing a Discovery channel jersey? Well...

[aicabsolut]

I like performance clothing usually in sport fabrics. I don't even like running (when I used to run) in a huge T. I certainly don't want any extra fabric to worry about on the bottom. Plus, my racing saddle isn't super comfy for riding without the right bottoms. Cotton retains sweat. I'd rather be in some semi-dry UnderArmour than in a sogged cotton Tshirt.

I will use a bag, but I also like having things in pockets that are easier to access. I like that jerseys zip.

As for sole stiffness, there's much greater efficiency of power transfer in using a stiff sole. It also helps to stabilize the foot which can be important for people with biomechanical injuries, as it allows them to retain proper leg alignment.

If I were out riding around on a beach cruiser, then I wouldn't need much athletic apparel, but I still don't like my clothes to be very loose.

[DarcyInOregon]

I can't put in the miles unless I am wearing the right type of clothing. Street clothing or loose fitting clothing might be fine for shorter rides under 15 miles, but I can't remember the last time I did a ride that short. I wear spandex shorts or knickers, and cycling jerseys. The jerseys are semi-loose to tight.

Darcy

[KayTee]

Yeah, performance fabrics and bike clothes for me, too. I sweat buckets and get chilled and clammy in soaking wet cotton. And I just hate to flap and billow, too.

Cycling has given me an entire community of friends, most of whom have only ever seen me dressed like a sweaty sausage with no makeup and really, really bad hair. I love it!

[margo49]

All my touring ( 3 month stint in NZ and two 2 month tours in USA and Europe and various shorter tours) and my 2 years messengering in London I wore totally regular clothes - cotton or denim shorts and cotton shirts (with associated rain-gear as necessary). No helmet - it was the late 70's-early 80's and nothing was going to happen to any of us!
Only started wearing lycra padded shorts after I had had the babies. I wear thin nylon running-type shorts over them as I feel naked otherwise. Tops I wear sporty wicking-fabric shirts. On my feet boring running shoes with a stiff sole.
Money, you know. If I had more I would buy more. Also I live in a very small place outside a small town and do not buy on the internet for various good reasons (like I'm scared it might lead to needing "plastic surgery" , lol!)