Saddle up and get your chic on
BANANA BREAD is so Phase One of lockdown; now it’s all about getting on a bike (and Instagramming about it, obviously). According to reports last week, bike sales have increased by as much as 40%, as eager new riders want to get from A to B without using public transport. If you’ve recently joined the two-wheeled community to avoid the train, up your exercise quota or simply because it seems everyone else is, you probably have two questions: 1) When will pedestrians learn to stay in their lane? And 2) What on earth should I be wearing?
Serious cyclists might swear by padded shorts to reduce the risk of saddle sores, but if you’re just peddling to the shops or to meet friends in the park, you might want to pull something slightly less heavy-duty out of the bag.
Tiffany Hsu, fashion buying director at Mytheresa.com, is a keen rider who’s found the balance between fashion and function. ‘My go-to outfit is mainly shorts or track pants with a light jacket or mac if the weather is unpredictable,’ she says.
And when it comes to what not to wear, there are only two real rules. ‘Anything long,’ says Tiffany. ‘And heels, for obvious reasons!’ Maxidresses, wide-leg trousers and flappy overlayers are all off-limits because snagging something in your bike chain is a surefire way to go flying over the handlebars. Instead, embrace knee-length shorts and skirts that will look sharp paired with a collared jumper, a denim jacket and a pair of ballet pumps or sleek trainers (consider the Copenhagen girls your inspo here; they love a short, frou-frou dress with a pair of retro kicks). Seeing as the weather’s turned a little bit ‘meh’ recently, you could also look into a knitted dress that tapers towards the knee, so that you don’t flash every pedestrian you happen to whizz past. If you don’t have a wicker basket attached to your bike, a backpack will also come in handy for picnic supplies.
Of course, proper cycling gear plays its part too. Searches for ‘cycling shorts’ have increased by a whooping 4,000%, according to shopping app LIKETOKNOW.IT. Oh, and one final non-negotiable: don’t forget your helmet.