So I'm not cycling in ordinary street clothes/chic

[shootingstar]

Like you Trek and many others probably, even when I wear cycling gear, I'm not matching colours, sleekness at all:

Whatever is clean, is my motto.

I wear slightly baggy dark green windpants for rainy/cold weather, whatever cycling jacket is right temperature-wise. One of the jackets has an acrylic black paint stain which I've given up scrubbing away. I got my hands dirty from art class. But why throw away the jacket? Still serviceable after 8 yrs. I do make my clothing last, both cycling and non-cycling stuff.

My cycling shoes are narrow mountain bike like shoes...I just choose a style that's not too wide so I can toe-clip in (yea, I'm still that geeky!!). I ride an upright hybrid bike (no one can ever accuse of me not being ordinary cyclist)..

I wear red framed plastic cycling glasses. Other times I've had bright blue or silver. I love wearing flashy glass frames that don't match with anything. It's just FUN to wear them.

There have been times my jersey is sticking out past length of my vests or jackets. Oh well, that's the price of being short/petite.

I actually consider wearing cycling gear, an opportunity to be wearing stuff way flashier and more fun (like some designs and colours of jerseys), that I would never wear indoors colour-wise. I know that I can wear bright, neon colours well outdoor against my natural colouring. So strangely, I actually do feel more "chic" than dull me indoors.

[lph]

Obviously, wear whatever you want in your everyday cycling. (hey, clean is more than I aim for)

But there is credit to the idea that "too much" cycling gear alienates some people. If you're trying to sell cycling as a common form of transport to a non-cyclist, it helps if you can show that all the doodads aren't necessary and you don't have to embrace Lycra as a fashion choice. All most people would need to comfortably cycle a fair distance is a pair of comfy pants without lumpy seams in the crotch, and a helmet. Short distances just a helmet. So for promotional purposes - yeah, I'd make an effort to show that we don't all look like aliens, some of us even look like the normal people next door

Heh - I just remembered something I once read about confrontations between cyclists and I think it was hikers in the woods (who complain here about mtbikers zipping by and scaring them): if someone yells at you or is mad: stop, take a deep breath, and take off your helmet and goggles. It's a lot harder to argue with a normal friendly face...

[Crankin]

I have also noticed the "friendlier" phenomena when I am riding in my commuter/city type riding clothes on my Jamis. They are all actual cycling clothes, but look more like regular stuff, i.e., skorts, capris that are urban looking, and shirts that have wicking material or lycra/sweatshirts, etc. The friendliness also extends to other roadies, as I think that my Jamis Coda is unique looking enough that riders look at my bike to figure out what it is.
I always get smiles when I ride up to local stores.