Velo Vogue

Go over and check out Velo Vogue - a great daily blog featuring, you guessed it, bikes and fashion from people of all makes and models.

Winter Cycle Style

I have to admit that today was one of my first late fall/winter rides to work - a cotton skirt, tights and mid weight jacket with a light scarf seemed to be the perfect combo. During my commute I started to think about what my options are going to be for biking this winter and decided to hunt down some inspiration.

images via lars daniel, nabiis and bicycler69.

Climbing Pine

it was a bit rainy, but still a great fall day. walking toward downtown i had moments of admiration for these riders.

Cycle Style Inspiration - Lars Daniel

Flickr offers endless inspiration, sometimes you get smacked over the head with a portfolio that is exactly what you are looking for. Lars Daniel has a wonderful photostream, but his Bikes in the City set is just lovely lovely.

Topshop Bicycle Club on Chictopia

Some of my favorite cycle looks from Topshop Bicycle Club on Chictopia. An endless source of street style.

Gorgeous Bike Shoot - Style Inspiration

Such beautiful colors, I makes me want to dress, pack a lunch & visit the open meadows. Visit Marc Bordon's site for the full shoot.

Cycle Style - Photo Inspiration

With all of this talk about cycling in style, I thought I'd share some of my favorite spots to find some inspiration.

Flickr Users & Groups
Bicycle in Street
DustinJ
Montreal Cyklers

Blogs -
Copenhagen Cycle Chic & Zakkaliciosness's Photostream
Barcelona Cycle Chic
Bicycle Pirate, One Girl's Blog
Velo Vogue, a San Francisco Collection
416 Cycle Style, Toronto Baby

photo via 416.

Best Cycle Street Clothes

In the last few years I've been able to do some"research" on what works best while biking. It's been cold, it's been hot, it's been raining & I've found myself in some awkward clothing-related biking situations.


In the summer months I love to put on a dress & putz around town on my bike. If you're at all modest you'll want your dress to be a little heavier fabric (so it won't fly up) & not much up from your knee. I have a great jersey tube dress from Gentle Fawn that serves as my go to biking dress. It has a built in bra, exposes my shoulders & back (no tan lines), and is a-line with a free flowing bottom. My other go to summer outfit is an American Apparel pencil skirt & tube top, it takes me most places (on & off the bike). All in all, cycling in the summer means that you need comfortable, breathable clothing, for me that means jersey & other knits. If you are worried about a little too much skin, grab a pair of hot pants from american apparel or twin syndrome on etsy.


For a while I was anti leggings as pants, but they are creeping up into my wardrobe. While in Stockholm I found myself wearing leggings with oversized button ups a few times & thought that they'd make a lovely outfit for bike riding.


Another tip - riding in heels is just as easy as biking in flip flops.


A nice romper would be great too, don't you think?

Some no no's you ask? My biggest are skin tight denim, unless of course they have a little lycra in them. I also avoid too short skirts or shorts; it's less about giving sneak peeks & more about feeling my bare ass on the saddle.

All images via Zakkaliciousness.

Protect Your Head

You've got to protect your head! I grew up riding around without a helmet & on a super hot day I'll still go without if I'm just cruising the neighborhood. In any case, here are some of the hottest & most fun choices.


Yakkay makes a great base helmet with a variety of coverings. $120 for base, $60 for covers.


Pro-tec has a ton of color & finish options. A great simple, sporty helmet. $50


Bern is another lovely maker, stylish helmets with or without a brim. $75


Pryme has a cheaper option with tons of color choices. $20

Other fun things at Riding Pretty (fantastic, kitschy helmet covers that will run you around $55) and Bobbin carries the sweetest rain cap for 15 pounds.

What Should I Wear Biking?

Call me vain, but when I first considered biking around town, the first thought to go through my head - "Do I have to wear that God-awful get up?" Everywhere I look it's biker after biker in special clip shoes, spandex-butt padding shorts, yellow or green nylon jackets & some sporty eye protection. I don't mean to judge; some people want to bike fast, not have a sore ass, be easily spotted by cars & not get a rock in their eye. It seems like the best spots to get hi-tech cycling gear in Seattle is REI; there, plus EMS or Sierra Trading Post is great for online purchases.

I like to think of it this way, if you are going to be an aggressive cyclist (either speed or longevity), the gear is worth it. If you are going to ride casually or for only a short commute, you really just need to think about comfort & keeping your pant leg out of the chain. While I consider myself a casual commuter, I understand that in Seattle - biking in skin tight (no lycra) denim & heals can feel pretty constricting taking Pine from Downtown to the top of Capitol Hill. Check out the following links for places to grab functional & stylish cycle gear.

Cyclodelic (London based)
London Cyclechic & their fashion tips
Swrve Cycle Apparel
First Look Commuter Pants
Lindland Cordarounds
Styley helmets by Bern

Keep in touch this week as I get a little deeper into cycling in style.

New York Times on Cycling in Style

A friend of mine leads me to two New York Times articles that discuss biking as a lifestyle choice in New York City.



Project Bike Lane talks about a spring design competition hosted by Donna Karen & Renaud Dutreil - one asking students at the Fashion Institute of Technology to create a poncho, jacket & travel bag.



Riding the It Factor discusses the presence of cycling in New York City as a fashion statement, including comments on dutch bikes & city planning. A favorite quote here, "...where riding a bicycle to work in a suit and tie is as notable an act as drinking a cup of coffee, there is no bike culture — all culture includes the bike."



I also recommend picking up the Transportation Issue of Good Magazine. I got it for the trip & found myself fascinated by each article.