Cycling love: care less on fashion off-bike?

[lauraelmore1033]

I have heel spurs and have to have the kind of arch support found only in athletic shoes (and very expensive shoes from The Walking Store which I am to cheap to buy), so most of my wardrobe consists of casual wear that "goes" with my sneaks. I'm sure I'm quite the make-over waiting to happen.

[indysteel]

I have to say that being more toned and fit has renewed my love of clothes, so I've probably bought more over the last few years than I would have otherwise. I have to dress up to some degree at work because of the nature of my job. I try to avoid the standard issue suit, however. More and more, I find myself living in knee-length skirts. In the summer, I pair them with dressy sandles (skipping the pantyhose) and in the winter, it's tights and tall, heeled boots.

I've always loved skirts, but I find them easier to fit into than pants. My thighs--quads and hamstrings--go through several permutations sizewise throughout the year, making pants a little hit and miss. As long as I don't gain/lose much overall weight, however, the skirts adapt better.

One thing I have noticed since I started riding is how much I avoid having to style my hair. When I ride, I just put my hair back in a headband and ponytail. Well, that's bled into my off-bike life, too. While I still style my hair for work, I'm much more apt to just blow it dry and put it back in a headband on weekends. I probably look like a grown up version of Alice in Wonderland, but it takes five minutes and is much easier. I just don't have the energy after along ride to care that much. I'm going to start growing out my bangs after Christmas with the hope of having hair that's essentially all one length at some point. That'll make life even easier.

[KnottedYet]

Longish hair in one length is a huge time-saver!

When I had 1 1/2 inch spikes all over my head, it was easy to handle, but I had to fuss with it a lot and get it cut every month to keep the spikes perky.

Now that it's all one length (chin length or so) it's sooooo easy to care for. Gel or clips or dambanas or headbands or just tuck it behind my ears. It's much less effected by helmet-head, too.

[sundial]

Same here. At one time I had really short hair--think Annie Lenox of the Eurythmics. Initially, it was the easiest haircut I had, but growing it out was a real pain. My favorite hairstyle that I wore for years was shoulder length hair, parted on the side, no bangs. It was versatile and if I worked out, I just pulled it back into a ponytail. At work I put it in a French twist.

[onimity]

Totally agreed on longish hair, no bangs. I shower when I get to work, put a little bit of product in it and it looks great, 5 minutes. I have some natural curl, so shorter lengths get out of control quickly for me. What is a slight wave when long is a cowlick when short!

I went shopping the other day and it was really depressing.

I have some Macy's gift certificates to use and thought I'd get a nice pair of jeans and something nice to wear for an upcoming speaking engagement. I can't fit into most of my suits (w/ pants) thanks to the fact that my waist is thinner and my legs are larger, so the pants on the larger end of my normal range are baggy to the point of falling off, and the pants on the thin end of the range stretch unflatteringly over my quads. After 3 hours of shopping I determined that this is just how they make clothing for women.

I got some new North Face fleeces and figured I'd wait on jeans until I get back from Patagonia as I'm sure to change body shape even further. Not that it's going to be any easier to wedge my calves into the knees of jeans then! I figured at least I have a skirt suit that I can wear for the presentation...

So on the way home I fell of my bike (actually, I crashed into a Vietnamese restaurant by the grocery store!) and got a massive bruise on my left knee that is going to be readily apparent with the just-above-the-knee skirt. My sister says I should use some concealer on the bruise and wear the skirt. Has anyone done this that can give me tips?

And can anyone recommend a designer that makes clothes for women that are tall (5'10"), thin, AND have muscles? It seems that pants in my size (butt, waist) are either too short or too tight on my quads.

Anne

[elk]

You could also wear dark tights instead of stockings to hide your bruise...

I wonder if there is any woman who doesn't get really depressed when she goes shopping?!?!

[elk]

I have heel spurs and have to have the kind of arch support found only in athletic shoes (and very expensive shoes from The Walking Store which I am to cheap to buy), so most of my wardrobe consists of casual wear that "goes" with my sneaks. I'm sure I'm quite the make-over waiting to happen.

Have you got a Foot Solutions store near you? They are awesome. They might have an insert you can put in any shoe...

[chakra]

I'm with you on the skirt vs pant thing - I am petite, but plump these days(heard of the Freshman 15 lbs? Well, I have the grad school 30!) so my solution has been mid-thigh or knee-length dresses/tunics with boot-cut yoga style pants underneath. I have several of thesesmart, logo-free ones, from bluecanoe.com. They wash so well, last a coupla years:

http://www.bluecanoe.com/e-store/pro...=3111818353594.

You can wear all-black, or tone it so they match well, it looks really smart, covers all parts you don't like, can emphasize a slender waist and all the good bits, and is really great on a bike and in cooler weather (maybe not for long rides, but on a short commute, unless you go with a lot of wool for durability and any sweat issues ).

Anyway, that is my answer for dressy or dinner on a bike and just to look a bit girly without being hampered. And if I am feeling a bit chubby.

Yeah, it is hard to find clothing that fits me in the waist and thighs. Clothes just are not designed with curves or muscles in mind.

Anyhoo, HTH.

Chakra

Who really should be writing papers but this is the next best thing to actually *riding* my bike which I can't do cos I have to write papers! *sigh*

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

.....I figured at least I have a skirt suit that I can wear for the presentation...
So on the way home I fell of my bike (actually, I crashed into a Vietnamese restaurant by the grocery store!) and got a massive bruise on my left knee that is going to be readily apparent with the just-above-the-knee skirt. My sister says I should use some concealer on the bruise and wear the skirt. Has anyone done this that can give me tips?
Anne

If it were me I'd just wear my biking bruise proudly on my knee, skirt suit, presentation or not. What's so wrong with having a biking booboo that it needs to be hidden? I think it's great and shows you are an active person. If it's really gross or scabby you can just tape a little gauze square on it.

[kelownagirl]

I agree Lisa - I like my bruises and scars so I can brag. Sometimes I give up on the grease marks and leave them too.

[Geonz]

I'm with you on the skirt vs pant thing - I am petite, but plump these days(heard of the Freshman 15 lbs? Well, I have the grad school 30!) so my solution has been mid-thigh or knee-length dresses/tunics with boot-cut yoga style pants underneath. I have several of thesesmart, logo-free ones, from bluecanoe.com. They wash so well, last a coupla years:

http://www.bluecanoe.com/e-store/pro...=3111818353594.

You can wear all-black, or tone it so they match well, it looks really smart, covers all parts you don't like, can emphasize a slender waist and all the good bits, and is really great on a bike and in cooler weather (maybe not for long rides, but on a short commute, unless you go with a lot of wool for durability and any sweat issues ).

Anyway, that is my answer for dressy or dinner on a bike and just to look a bit girly without being hampered. And if I am feeling a bit chubby.

Yeah, it is hard to find clothing that fits me in the waist and thighs. Clothes just are not designed with curves or muscles in mind.

Anyhoo, HTH.

Chakra

Who really should be writing papers but this is the next best thing to actually *riding* my bike which I can't do cos I have to write papers! *sigh*

Hmmm.... looks like they'd fall down to me! I can just picture those wide legs snatching my chain and just tugging them off...

[chakra]

Um, well I use those velcro band thingies when riding! I should have said!

Chakra

But the M size is pretty nice and snug, on me at least (size ten).