jersey fashion & age

[Miranda]

I know this is trivial in the big picture of riding. But, it seems like when there is snow on the road in winter it gives my brain time to ponder some mindless riding questions...

Do you think like street clothes, that there comes a certain age when one should not wear certain things? Meaning, jerseys with bold prints or graphics.

I hit my 40th recently, and I have felt like I'm stuck with what to wear clothes wise. The juniors department jeans fit my body from being physically active. But I have sense enough to not wear the cute teenage prints of hearts, skulls, etc. If it's not plain/appropriate enough looking, I don't wear it regardless of fit.

I was in my lbs cleaning up on some half off sale jerseys left over in my size the other day. A couple of them when I tried them on at full price, I thought "nah... I'll buy the solids for the money" (eventhough I did think they were fun at first glance).

Then after I got home, I thought "maybe I should not be wearing 'this' at my age, even to ride?". I have heard that if you have to ask, then you know the answer already... which should be... don't wear it.

Example...
The Primal Wear brand is usually very bold and trendy. One of the sale jerseys is also sold here on TE. It's the "Puppy Love" jersey... http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodPW_PUP1J50W.html

Now mind you when I first saw the puppy love jersey in the shop, my yellow lab dog was still alive (she became ill and I had to put her down later in the summer, I have a black lab pup now). Seeings how I love my dog, it caught my eye as "awe, there's by beloved dog". Then, I talked myself out of it as too much bling for full price. But, for half, well, it is a good made jersey with wicking fabric, visible color, etc... and it has my dog breed I love. So, I said "scr*w it" and bought it.

*sigh* I hate this waffle stuff of "being inbetween". Give me 16yo tube tops and skull pants, or give me great granny Maxine cartoon character clothes (whose graced on to not give a rip about anything).

I'd wear the puppies out by myself, but I just don't know if people would laugh at a group ride or what? Bawahaaa... look at the old broad that doesn't know when to give it up!

[lph]

nope. i think it has everything to do with your personality, and to be perfectly honest, your body type. i have heavy shoulders, no boobs and obvious biceps, and very girly things with ruffles and stuff just look dumb on me, and have done so since i was 25 (i'm 39 now). for the same reason i shy away from cute prints, they look about as cute on me as on a guy.

but if i were petite and more the cute type i'd wear cute prints until i was 80.

i'd wear skulls though!

[7rider]

An "old broad" at 40?? Good grief. Where does that leave me???

As with LPH, I've never been one for cute prints. They just look goofy on me. But for cycling jerseys, I've always gone for ones that "speak to me" (well, except when I get the team jersey from my LBS...then it's just peer pressure ). If it's a "gotta have" then I get it. Bright, bold, prints, are sometimes the most obvious from a visibility perspective, and that's what's good about them. Regardless of your age, visibility is a good thing on a bike.

[OakLeaf]

One of the guys in my club wears a Primal jersey that's a replica of Pink Floyd's "Division Bell" album cover. This guy wasn't all that young when the album was released...

My jerseys are all hi-viz yellow, hi-viz yellow and hi-viz yellow.

I do still wear the skateboarder T-shirt that I bought 20 years ago at the LBS when I'd neglected to bring a top for an indoor training session. It has cockroaches all over it. I'll still wear it next year when I'm 50, too.

[Zen]

I like that puppy jersey.

I've been looking for a black helmet with orange flames and if it was the right price I'd wear a skull and crossbones jersey in a minute. my avatar is an actual photo of me

Get out of that mindset before it drags you down. If I worried about what people thought I looked like I'd never leave the house.

[Aggie_Ama]

I am turning 28 next month so I guess I am young enough to be wearing those jerseys but if I was turning 58 I wouldn't care. I have a Mighty Mouse t-shirt my husband bought me several years ago, I love it. At least once every few months someone comments that they think I am about 20, not closer to 30 maybe that is why I get away with it. Or maybe that is why they all think I am so young but no I also dress age-appropriate and get it. If you like the crazy primal wear stuff get it, if you like solids wear 'em. I feel like I am limbo on juniors vs. womens and I shop in both. I don't wear brand names, I guess I am blissfully unaware of what I need to be doing!

I am put off by 50 something's dressing too provocatively for their current figure, not age necessarily. You know the person wearing clothes she could have when she was a trim, thin 20 year old but just looks like she is trying too hard now. I have never even thought a thing about them wearing a flashy jersey.

[bmccasland]

I think for cycling kits - wear whatever you like! I'm pushing 5-0 and PLEASE don't tell me I have to look at "sensible" solid colors. GAAAAK! I see so many cute jerseys.... and then there are socks!

For street clothes, I think there is some general age and body type guidelines - good sense - that some people don't seem to get. Thus the need for "What not to Wear". I don't want to dress like a matron, but I know I'm not a teenager either.

[derailed]

Wear the clothes which make you happy. Don't second guess, if the jersey makes you smile, and every time you are thinking about it, you smile, you will be "the happy lady in the cute puppy shirt".

I wear things on the bike I could not wear on the street, I'm going fast enough not to hear any giggles, and it makes me happy!

My sympathies on your loss, and many happy years with your new pup.

[Chile Pepper]

My jerseys are all hi-viz yellow, hi-viz yellow and hi-viz yellow.

This is my approach too. I don't care what I look like on the bike, as long as the drivers can see me.

Oakleaf--what are your favorites?

[Biciclista]

speaking of visibility, check this out: this is my husband, a shot i took this morning. He is buying me one of these sashes. how's that for visibility?

the first stripe on his back is his rainy pass raincoat, in screaming yellow orange which you can hardly see, but you can see the reflective strip.
The next stripe is from a sash that the Seattle Randonneurs sells, and I will have my own soon.

[Zen]

speaking of visibility, check this out: this is my husband, a shot i took this morning.

What kind of lights is he running (and why not red)?

[OakLeaf]

Oakleaf--what are your favorites?

I have some Brooks NightLife long sleeve jerseys and some Voler Night Bright short sleeve ones. Both of those have some reflective material as well as the screaming yellow color, but they could definitely have more IMO.

I also have a PI short sleeve jersey (some years they offer them in screaming yellow, some years not), but it's not one of my favorites - too short, no reflective accents, and only two rear pockets. (With only two pockets I have to carry at least two gels even on a short ride, just carry them, to balance my phone. )

[Chile Pepper]

I also have a PI short sleeve jersey (some years they offer them in screaming yellow, some years not), but it's not one of my favorites - too short, no reflective accents, and only two rear pockets.

That's exactly how I feel about the Exte Ondo I bought this year. I like the fabric and the fit (other than the length), but I'd like to try something else. And the shops never have them when I'm in the US, so I'm stuck ordering online.

[ilima]

All's fair in love and bike jerseys.

There is no upper age limit for wearing loudly patterned jerseys.

[fatbottomedgurl]

I am way less conservative than when I was in my 30s. Got my nose pierced on my 45th birthday last year. I'm a college librarian. I certainly don't fit that stereotype! And I feel awesome flying along at 18, 25, 40 mph in my bright jerseys. At 30 I was homebound and breastfeeding. At 45 I'm fit and free!