How to look chic while cycling to work

**Aint Doody** · 03-09-2009, 10:56 AM

I don't have any clothes that have a designer's name on them! My shoes are shoes, and my clothes are whatever was on sale. Woe is me!!

**madscot13** · 03-09-2009, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by lph

But that one chicky had a bike that weighed 4,5 kgs!! *drool*

how is that possible?

I also can't believe I am not the only one who reads through the Times. I love it so much! It has so much

**Jolt** · 03-10-2009, 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

Seems like an awful lot of expensive fussing to me.

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. The term "high maintenance" comes to mind. What a waste! It's one thing to make sure you look professional, and of course it's important to be clean and well groomed, but it really doesn't have to be so complicated or expensive. Some of these women need to get a life!!

**sfa** · 03-10-2009, 06:55 AM

Is this for serious? It reads like Shopaholic Takes Up Bicycle Commuting! But I guess "chic" was never really in my vocabulary. "Pootle" might be now, though.

Sarah

**badgercat** · 03-10-2009, 09:09 AM

Granted, the tone of the article was a bit over-the-top, but I think it's great that they're riding bikes. If they want to commute wearing Jimmy Choos, I might personally find it a bit odd considering most of my shopping is done at thrift stores, but I'm not going to criticize them for it. Some people collect designer shoes just like some collect bikes. *shrug* To each her own, I say.

**Jolt** · 03-10-2009, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by badgercat

Granted, the tone of the article was a bit over-the-top, but I think it's great that they're riding bikes. If they want to commute wearing Jimmy Choos, I might personally find it a bit odd considering most of my shopping is done at thrift stores, but I'm not going to criticize them for it. Some people collect designer shoes just like some collect bikes. *shrug* To each her own, I say.

Good point. Whatever we may think about their fashion choices, at least they're still out there riding and enjoying it. (I still think they're a little off their rocker.) BTW, great to hear of another thrift-store shopper! I often find things there that appeal to me more than what I see in the regular stores. Good source for craft materials too if you're into repurposing/recycling.

**Crankin** · 03-10-2009, 11:57 AM

While I love nice clothes, I still think these people are nuts for riding in dress clothes. I can't even ride in regular shoes anymore because I feel weird without being clipped in; I almost fell over in the middle of a busy intersection riding to the train last fall.
Of course, almost all of the women I saw riding to work in Italy were dressed elegantly, in heels or boots, often holding a latte. I guess it's all what you are used to.

**IvonaDestroi** · 03-10-2009, 12:32 PM

while I completely agree that their clothing choices are a bit excessive, I can also see where they're coming from. Their business IS fashion. They HAVE to wear that stuff to work or their high end clients won't take them seriously... how can you try selling fancy jewelry or clothing whilst wearing sweats?

And of course, sprouting from that, if there is a very pricy designer dress that you have to wear, then it makes sense to carefully wrap it in tissue and nestle it safely somewhere on your bike. No one's gonna stuff a $1,000 dress in a backpack... seriously!

personally, I am the anti-thesis of excessive materialsism, but I also believe in the theory of "to each their own", and I try to remain objective about it. I couldn't imagine wearing clothing like that on a bike, but at least they are trying to come up with ways to bike to work, despite all of the extra hassles they have to go through to do it. I say kudos for not driving despite the time and effort they'd probably save.

**shootingstar** · 03-10-2009, 12:47 PM

One thing for certain, if it was a nice dress, skirt or dress pants I sewed myself, I would not want to bike in them.

Anything I've sewn I tend to take far better care to make them last longer. I tend to handwash my own creations, not throw them into the wear and tear of washing machine. After all, that effort of altering the pattern, hunting for fabric and tailoring it to make it fit me, the garmet better last a..few years.

But then it wasn't long ago, I was cycling in cotton T-shirts and snubbed jerseys, believe it or not. And I was wearing those T-shirts and tripling the amount of annual cycling mileage!

**Duck on Wheels** · 03-10-2009, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by sgtiger

Hmm..... I wonder if that trend will lead to Prada or Coach making bike handle bar bags. How about Jimmy Chu clippless shoes?

IIRC didn't Burberry team up with a British bike company to create a designer bike that looked like an Oma with some tricked out accessories?

I can't find a picture of it but I did pull this up on the search:

http://www.celebuzz.com/billy-zane-b...berry-s57161//
How's that for showing up in style?!!

What? You mean with him as a bike accessory? Oooh! I wouldn't mind riding with him sitting on the top tube.

**Duck on Wheels** · 03-10-2009, 01:52 PM

Apparently this (click the numbers below the first picture to view the series) is what we're supposed to be investing in fashionwise this year, and what we'll be finding at the thrift shops another 5 years down the line. All the latest from fashion week in Paris. Number 8 in the series looks like something one could attach to a bike helmet for a costume ride. Looks like it's made up of tail lights and bike bells.

http://www.kjendis.no/2009/03/10/kje...teuke/5212070/

**redrhodie** · 03-10-2009, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by Duck on Wheels

Apparently this (click the numbers below the first picture to view the series) is what we're supposed to be investing in fashionwise this year, and what we'll be finding at the thrift shops another 5 years down the line. All the latest from fashion week in Paris. Number 8 in the series looks like something one could attach to a bike helmet for a costume ride. Looks like it's made up of tail lights and bike bells.

http://www.kjendis.no/2009/03/10/kje...teuke/5212070/

The one thing I really liked was #43. It would clash with my bike, though.

**kfergos** · 03-11-2009, 06:56 AM

Commuting by bike needn’t be an ordeal, however. Three high-flyers talk us through their Wonder Woman routines.

It's funny they say that, because what those fashionable ladies do sure sounds like an ordeal to me!

**Bluetree** · 03-11-2009, 10:10 AM

To repeat others' comments... to each his own. People think the stuff I put on for a simple bike ride is excessive and an ordeal (bibs, baselayers, jersey, windvest, socks, shoes, oversocks, arm warmers, gloves, cap helmet, Road ID, reflective wristbands, etc...), but I don't feel that way.

As long as their shoes/clothes are not compromising theirs or others' safety, I think it's great that they can show others that bike commuting is possible without looking dowdy. I've worn a pair of Robert Clergerie loafers on my commute, along with my Burberry backpack and peacoat. If I can influence a single fashionista to get out of her car and onto a bike, all the better I'd say!

**Zen** · 03-11-2009, 01:00 PM

I wore a skirt [while riding] the other day and felt like Miss Marple

Thread: How to look chic while cycling to work

Thread Tools

Display

Posting Permissions