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*