Commuting to a dressy office

[Melalvai]

I don't know what brand it was. His headlight was on his handlebar.

[SallyRides]

I don't have a long commute - it's only 3.5 miles, BUT that's mostly uphill, so I don't want to wear work clothes and sweat in them. I also am not fond of riding with a back pack, as it seems to limit my rear vision when it sways back and forth as I ride. Anyway, I use smaller, front panniers, on a rear rack to carry my clothes for the day. (I pack my bags the night before.) Most days, I need to carry dress shoes, and appropriate clothing. I roll the clothing to try and avoid wrinkling. I put the shoes in the bottom of the panniers. Once you start planning ahead, it gets easier. There are definitely days when I look out the window and think - WHY am I riding my bike??!! BUT, by the time I get to work, I am always glad that I chose to ride. I start the day in a much better frame of mind. (BTW, there certainly are days when I don't ride. It's a COLD winter here, and during those days, I am in my car.)

SR

[NbyNW]

When I bike commuted, I could put my work clothes in an Eagle Creek packing folder. That fit inside inside a front pannier bag, along with shoes and lunch. One summer I also would go swimming before work so I also fit bathing suit, small towel, toiletries and breakfast (oatmeal in thermos, cup of yogurt, maybe an apple) in there as well. I would also keep shoes at the office with a small toiletry bag & wipes. I used a front pannier bag b/c I was commuting on a folding bike, and the rack was too low for a regular rear pannier.

[Becky]

+1 for the Eagle Creek Pack-it folders. It's the easiest way that I've found to pack clothes in a pannier without them falling to the bottom and getting rumpled.

[lovelygamer]

I commute 4-6 miles to a dressy office. I tried to wear my work clothes twice. I sweat like a beast so that just isn't possible. Plus, I don't care what that pretty lady in her lovely suit says, it's not comfortable and did I mention that I sweat like a beast?

I carry a backpack every day with my work clothes and shoes in it. I also have stashed at work, travel size toiletries and a washcloth so I can freshen up. It's definitely a challenge some days. I like some of the alternatives mentioned here. I may have to try them myself. Good luck and don't give up! Just keep trying different methods.

[NadiaMac]

I don't commute to a dressy office, but I do commute in cycling clothes and carry my work clothes in a pack. To reduce the amount of stuff that I carry while riding, I leave my work shoes at the office (I ride with my cycling shoes) and change when I get to work. I also leave a small blowdryer at the office so I can dry my hair after showering. I leave a couple of nice sweaters/blazers at my office for use if needed and occasionally I stash some additional clothing at the office over the weekend for use during the rest of the week. Also, I keep spare undies and socks at the office in case I forget to bring these.

When I lived in Washington Dc and had a suit-only job, I had use of a closet at work and I kept most of my suits at work. I'd commute in part of my outfit for the day (blouse, sometimes my suit skirt/pants), then change into the rest of my suit when I got into work.

[Giulianna23]

I have my own office plus we have lockers in our break room ..so what I do is just leave a pair of shoes , a few of my shirts and pants for work in one of my drawers in the office and also keep some body lotion,baby wipes and one of my favorites perfumes in there too .....so the only things I carry are my keys, my phones, my wallet and my lunch in a small backpack. This was one of my concerns when I was thinking of commuting to work.