The past couple of years, various blogs and news articles have been written about women riding around in “regular clothes.” Often, these regular clothes have included skirts, dresses, heels, and who knows what else.
While these may be regular clothes for some (and I do have a dress code at my office that requires professional wear, sigh), heels and dresses don’t tend to be a successful combination for me when I’m on my bike.
- I tried to ride in a skirt, and I felt silly.
- I rode in heels, and found it impractical.
- I don’t like wearing dresses or skirts when I’m not at the office. It’s just not me.
- I prefer to ride a diamond frame as my main commuter.
Now, just because I’m not throwing on a skirt and heels doesn’t mean that I hop into a superhero team kit, either.
There is a whole array of clothing that falls in between full-on businesswear and roadie bike wear. It’s true! It’s what I like to call my commuting clothes.
For the summer months, commuting in the heat and humidity of Washington, D.C., calls for the following wardrobe staples:
- Shorts;
- T-shirt;
- A pony tail; and
- Sidi’s or my commuter Keen’s. Yes, I love my SPD’s.
You heard right. No dresses, skirts, or hair flowing freely in the breeze. T-shirt and shorts, people!
I like how I look and feel in a t-shirt and shorts, though it may not be cycle chic or uber-sporty. I feel confident, pedal easily, can decide to ride a a few extra miles in the morning or afternoon heat without fretting about sweating up my nice business clothes, and don’t have to worry about how I’m going to straddle my diamond frame bike.
When I get to the office, I towel off, throw on my j-o-b clothes, put on my makeup, and start my day.
Some may prefer to meld their work and commuting clothes, but during the summer that does not work for me. I’m keeping my commute clothes for commuting and my work clothes for just that- work. It keeps the wear and tear on my professional wardrobe minimal, the dry cleaning bills low, and my cycling comfort level high.
And what’s not to like about that?
Back to work already? Hope everybody has a great week!
Chasing Mailboxes 