We know that there are certain fashion do's and don't's amongst the differing genres of cyclists. Most road cyclists refuse to wear a helmet with a visor - for good reason as the position on a road bike means a visor interferes with visibility - while MTB cyclists are often looking for mud and branch protection and prefer a visor but may tend to only wear lycra while racing and go for the baggy cycling gear when riding with mates.
On the other hand, regular peak hour commuter cyclists feel obliged to go with form over fashion and lean towards the high visibility end of the clothing and accessories spectrum while the weekend coffee cyclist tries to balance the 'practical/fashionable' dichotomy with clothing that can be worn on the bike yet has cool street cred.
If you're like me, and cycling is core to your life, you probably cross over a range of cycling loves. On my road bike, I wear lycra and a road helmet. Mountain biking, I've whacked the visor back on my helmet and gone for padded, loose shorts or an MTB skort. If I'm commuting to somewhere in a frock and street shoes, I'll likely ride my folding bike because it has a lower top tube to stand over. But, riding about town, I get real street cred on a pink-rimmed, pink-framed Surly "steel is real" single-speed with black skull valve caps and skull and cross-bone stickers. Thus, when Race Face came out with a pair of pink skull & cross bone gloves, I just 'had to have' them, as much as any fashionista would declare that they 'had to have' the latest designer outfit or pair of shoes.
On the other hand, regular peak hour commuter cyclists feel obliged to go with form over fashion and lean towards the high visibility end of the clothing and accessories spectrum while the weekend coffee cyclist tries to balance the 'practical/fashionable' dichotomy with clothing that can be worn on the bike yet has cool street cred.
If you're like me, and cycling is core to your life, you probably cross over a range of cycling loves. On my road bike, I wear lycra and a road helmet. Mountain biking, I've whacked the visor back on my helmet and gone for padded, loose shorts or an MTB skort. If I'm commuting to somewhere in a frock and street shoes, I'll likely ride my folding bike because it has a lower top tube to stand over. But, riding about town, I get real street cred on a pink-rimmed, pink-framed Surly "steel is real" single-speed with black skull valve caps and skull and cross-bone stickers. Thus, when Race Face came out with a pair of pink skull & cross bone gloves, I just 'had to have' them, as much as any fashionista would declare that they 'had to have' the latest designer outfit or pair of shoes.
 |
| My favourite Surly |
 |
| Cycling gloves to match! |
That's just the tip of the iceberg. Check out these great links to higher-end fashion on two wheels.
Who thinks that tight lycra is good for showing off males' bodies? I'd love to see a bike race like this!
Anyone keen to set up a Brisbane chapter of Frocks on Bikes?
If you've got any great photos of cycling fashion do's and don't's, please share them here.
Kelly
Hello Brisbane, hope you're surviving up there. The lovely ladies of Frocks on Bikes in NZ were very keen for us to expand the flock to Australia - first ride in Melbourne was last weekend. Check out our style here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Frocks-on-Bikes-Melbourne/180321431990688
ReplyDeleteWhile some of us did dress up specially for the occasion, we're not principally about the style, we're about showing that anything in your wardrobe can be cycle gear, as per the frockers manifesto: http://frocksonbikes.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/manifesto-ii.jpg
So, next flock, Brisbane?