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Cycling around town sounds great in theory, but can be complicated sartorially. You don’t want to arrive at the office or dinner looking like you’ve come from the gym. What about getting your shirt sweaty? Or grease marks on your pants? And it can be difficult to bring a change of clothes with you. We know it’s tricky, but it’s not impossible. Here are some tricks of the trade.
1. Wear stretchy or loose clothes.
Slim jeans or slacks with a little stretch look tailored and put-together, while still letting you move. Biking is not the time to wear tight chinos that could rip. On top, go for a looser fit, especially around the armpits, so you keep cool and stay dry, like this blouse from Iva Jean. Parker Dusseau even makes an entire suit you can bike in.
2. Keep your ankles clean.
If you wear loose pants, tuck them into your socks or get a reflecting ankle strap, to protect them from chain grease. Just in case, wear navy or black pants to hide grease and dirt. Fenders and chain guards make life easier in this regard, like those on classic Dutch bicycles.
3. Go on, bike in a skirt.
A dress, skirt or tunic made out of a sturdy or stretchy material is actually ideal for biking, since it’s loose and breathable. (Consider these ones from Athleta.) Just make sure that it goes to your knees and isn’t low cut, to avoid flashing. You can also wear leggings or bike shorts under your dress to be safe.
4. Dress lightly.
To avoid sweating a lot, it’s better to be a little cold than a little hot. On a sunny day, 40 degrees feels a lot warmer than you expect when you’re riding. Over 60 degrees, you’ll want short sleeves. Layering is key. Buy a thin, breathable jacket that you can peel off and stash easily in a bag, like this sleek one from Search and State.
5. Carry bags on the bike.
A backpack or messenger bag makes your back sweaty. Better to get a pannier that hooks to a back rack. Ortliebs are the most durable, but there are plenty of more urbane options out there, such as these great-looking ones from Linus. Or put your purse in a front basket.
Cute, but not the smartest footwear. | Courtesy of Faster Panda Kill Kill, via Flickr.
6. Wear flat-soled shoes.
For women, what to wear on your feet requires some thought. High heels are dangerous to ride in, since the heel can trap your foot on the pedal if you need to step off quickly. Instead, opt for wedges, clogs or low pumps. Men can wear just about any flat shoe, but walking shoes are best. Both men and women’s shoes should have stiff soles and a little traction to grip pedals.
7. Avoid flip-flops or slip-on sandals.
Anything that’s likely to fall off your feet or get caught in the pedals is a no-go. Sandals should have ankle straps and firm soles, otherwise they could bend when you come to a sudden stop.
8. Get a cool helmet.
We admit it: A helmet can ruin your hair. But if you swallow that one as a lost cause, you may as well look good while protecting your brain. Many cyclists these days have more than one helmet depending on the occasion, with a sporty one for workout rides and a fun one for commuting. We love Bern’s equestrian-style helmets and the funky designs of Nutcase and Sawako.
9. Wear sunglasses.
An easy way to punch up your on-the-bike look, sunglasses also protect your eyes from grit. At night, you might want clear glasses to do the same.
10. Pack a toiletry kit.
Get into the habit of bringing these basic items with you whenever you ride: travel deodorant, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, perfume or cologne. When you arrive at your destination, slip to the bathroom to dry yourself off and make yourself respectable, no change of clothes necessary.
Cover photo courtesy of Roman Bonnefoy, via WikiMedia.