Cycling clothing just not a good look

[bmccasland]

I didn't worry too much about the "scenery" when I was drafting behind a big guy on a long ride. Usually that rider could ride circles around me. Sometimes they tease me about being "little" when it was my turn to pull - I'm not skinny.

There are some people who shouldn't be seen in spandex - they're usually the ones not on a bike route. If they're on a bike - Go rider go!

[malkin]

I base my fashion taste on what doesn't itch.
Gilda Radner

Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.
Coco Chanel

It pains me physically to see a woman victimized, rendered pathetic, by fashion.
Yves Saint-Laurent

Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.
Oscar Wilde

[radacrider]

At this point in my life, I am a "to each their own."

Way back, I only wore cycling specific shorts and tops. Now, I wear what is comfortable, which is usually not cycling specific, but is wicking, stretchy, loose on top, or the occassional halter cycling top. Mostly what is comfortable for commuting 6 miles one-way, which might occassionally include athletic shorts (no chamois) over a skirt/dress; sometimes cotton tops, my jeans, capris. So I am sure I get evaluations from all sides of the cycling communities.

[zoom-zoom]

If I gave a rat's behind what I looked like I'd be one of those chicks at the gym in a perfectly coordinated outfit with full makeup and not a hair out of place who would never do anything to break a sweat. And I would avoid the weights, because I'd be afraid that I might get bulky (I wish!). And staying fit would be miserable. And I'd probably hate myself. And I might be judgemental towards men and women who are flinging sweat around and getting smelly and enjoying their dose of endorphins, even if stuff jiggles on their bodies. And I'd probably be secretly envious of and annoyed by that woman carrying an extra 20#s, yet pounding out an hour or more on the treadmill because the roads are icy, the windchills are in the negatives, and she's training for a big Spring race...

[redrhodie]

I love my cycling clothes. I wear mostly wool jerseys that are simple and flattering. I would wear them on the street, if I weren't afraid of getting stains, as I'm prone to doing. But then again, I also like really obnoxiously colorful kits as well. They're fun.

[Biciclista]

While I agree that an obese person looks terrible in bike duds, I can't say that is true for everyone. Some people look terrific in bike clothes. I love the wonderful colors and designs you can get in the jerseys, I SO appreciate POCKETS that are even to be found in WOMEN'S jerseys. I like seeing healthy people out on their bikes. In lycra, cotton, wool, whatever. And I don't care what others think really if they don't like looking at an old lady in lycra, is it really any worse than walmart people???

[Blueberry]

I have to chime in since this thread is under my skin a little.

I'm not thin. According to BMI charts, I'm technically obese. I've been working hard on losing weight for a long time, sometimes with more success than others. Looking at me, most people would probably think that I dine on McDonalds cheeseburgers and milkshakes and sit on the couch. What you wouldn't know is that I cook most of my own foods (and I've had a nutritionist look through them), and that I exercise a LOT (biking, elliptical, weights, etc).

Some days, I'm embarrassed to get out there on my bike in bike garb. I feel like others are saying just what people are saying in this thread - that it looks terrible on me, that it's not a good look, that it's unattractive, that i shouldn't be wearing it. It might. But, for long rides, I'm just not comfy in regular clothes. I try to find loose clothes that hide what others might not want to see, but those are hard to find (particularly in something other than teeny tiny sizes). Which means the choice is to ride in clothing that others might judge me on or to not ride (because, lets face it, riding in uncomfortable clothes just isn't gonna happen). Some days, the insecurities still win out.

I try not to care, I shouldn't care. I just wasn't expecting to see comments here re-affirming what the negative voices in my head tell me. My issue, but still - hopefully another perspective.

[OakLeaf]

If I gave a rat's behind what I looked like I'd be one of those chicks at the gym in a perfectly coordinated outfit with full makeup and not a hair out of place who would never do anything to break a sweat. And I would avoid the weights, because I'd be afraid that I might get bulky (I wish!). And staying fit would be miserable. And I'd probably hate myself. And I might be judgemental towards men and women who are flinging sweat around and getting smelly and enjoying their dose of endorphins, even if stuff jiggles on their bodies. And I'd probably be secretly envious of and annoyed by that woman carrying an extra 20#s, yet pounding out an hour or more on the treadmill because the roads are icy, the windchills are in the negatives, and she's training for a big Spring race...

Hear, hear. Hear. Hear. Hear.

And it's true if the person is carrying an "extra" 20# or an extra 200#. (Define "extra," anyway. Would they be happy if I had 12% body fat or would I be okay with 16% [not that I'm anywhere close to that, either]? What about 16% but with cellulite [yes there are plenty of those people, especially as we age]?)

I'm sure every one of us could find something to nitpick about every one of each other's appearances if we have nothing better to think about.


ETA: and thank you Blueberry for reminding all the posters that people with greater than 16% body fat are still real people who have feelings.

[Biciclista]

Bottom line, obese person looks better on a bike than they do on a barcalounger.

When I see a portly person puffing up a hill (or walking bike up a hill) I cheer!! That's someone trying to get healthy. and that's grand.
Really, who gives a @#$@%$ what others think. you're on that bike for YOU. It would be silly to cover up with sweatpants when someone has designed clothing perfect for riding on your bike!

[maillotpois]

Bottom line, obese person looks better on a bike than they do on a barcalounger.

When I see a portly person puffing up a hill (or walking bike up a hill) I cheer!! That's someone trying to get healthy. and that's grand.
Really, who gives a @#$@%$ what others think. you're on that bike for YOU. It would be silly to cover up with sweatpants when someone has designed clothing perfect for riding on your bike!

Love this. Yes.

[snapdragen]

Bottom line, obese person looks better on a bike than they do on a barcalounger.
When I see a portly person puffing up a hill (or walking bike up a hill) I cheer!! That's someone trying to get healthy. and that's grand.
Really, who gives a @#$@%$ what others think. you're on that bike for YOU. It would be silly to cover up with sweatpants when someone has designed clothing perfect for riding on your bike!

Quote worthy!!