12 May 2009

Posted on | May 12, 2009 | 20 Comments

12 May 2009 , originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Lace trim cami – Ann Taylor, remixed
Red-orange top – Zara
Green skirt – Old Navy, remixed
Green loafers – Anne Klein, remixed a lot lately
Tiny flower brooch – thrifted
Bike – we named it “Nerp” last night

Endnotes:

As it turns out, this week is Bike to Work week all around the US (or is this an international phenomenon?). So I’m very timely with my experiment of commuting by bike. Yesterday, after leaving the coffee shop, I ran some errands such as going to the post office and the grocery store on my bike and found that wearing a backpack may not be the best way to transport my books, laptop, and few purchases. I got home with the back of my shirt completely soaked! So I’m now in the market for a bike basket or a pannier… stay tuned for its debut!

Following my continued exploration of inspiring bike-chic blogs, I present you with a few more links today: This is the Sartorialist on bike and so far my favorite street-wear-meets-bike-chic blog: Copenhagencyclechic. I also enjoyed perusing London Cycle Chic, the San Francisco based Vélo Vogue, and the lovely Toronto Bike Chic site.

In terms of personal blogs, I’m really enjoying reading about Dottie and Trisha’s bike commuting adventures, especially since their start-up stories make me feel like I can do this too.

Today I’m taking a cue from all this reading I’ve been doing and biking in a skirt. My main hesitation (other than sucking at biking) has been style-concerned when it came to embracing a bike-commuter life style. Yes, I know it’s shallow, but I know I’m not alone in this. I want to be able to wear the same outfits and shoes I would wear commuting by car, foot, or public transport when traveling by bike. So I’m trying it out today with a skirt. To come later – once I’m a bit more practiced – wedges and heels!

Skirt detail, originally uploaded by academichic.Tiny brooch, originally uploaded by academichic.

And on the subject of heels, I just wanted to draw your attention to some new categories we’ve added. Based on several reader comments and questions, we’ve retro-organized all of our pictures under these three new categories: Beltless, Reaching New Heights, and Our Best Flatware. We’ve already embraced a week without belting to respond to a reader challenge and we will soon do the same with a week without heels. For now, if you’re interested in all our flat-footwared-looks thus far, check out Our Best Flatware, and if you love a good platform, see Reaching New Heights! S.

Category: Beltless, Color Combinations, Our Best Flatware, Skirting the Issue, Vélocouture
Tags: bike commute > fashion > floral > green > skirt > style > Vélocouture

Comments

20 Responses to “12 May 2009”

chrissy
May 12th, 2009 @ 12:31 pm

I bike to work in a skirt all the time. It’s really not so bad! Here’s a trick – on especially windy days, I take a clothespin and fasten it to the hem of my skirt, between my legs. Kind of like makeshift shorts. Not completely fashionable, but it keeps me decent until I get to work and it’s easy to clip on and off.

Also, I love your outfits. :)
Sal
May 12th, 2009 @ 12:35 pm

What a fantastically springy and bike-friendly ensemble!
Elaine
May 12th, 2009 @ 12:42 pm

I am scared to wear a skirt and ride my bike. How did it go?

PS..I am looking forward to more of your bike-friendly outfits!

clothedmuch.blogspot.com
Kaylyn
May 12th, 2009 @ 12:43 pm

I love the name Nerp for your bike! Mine was called Joeseph. How I miss him.
This is a great outfit! I was always comfortable on a bike but I never was comfortable enough to wear a skirt while riding. I also had the issue with the back pack. I found that the Timbuk2 (http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/home) bags worked well and you can customize them. Because you can move them around or keep them at your side it can help keep the sweat from accumulating in one spot. I always loved the idea of a basket though. It would help out more with groceries and such. Some things, you just cant stick in a bag! :)
Megan
May 12th, 2009 @ 12:55 pm

Just don’t get a basket on the front- it will throw you way off balance and make you much more crash-prone!
S.
May 12th, 2009 @ 1:26 pm

Thanks for all your tips everyone! I have been using my study breaks to investigate panniers, milk crates, bike baskets, and bike bags online and have to figure out what will best for for me.

@Megan – my fiance said the same thing about the basket up front, especially since I plan on putting books and my laptop in there (ie. heavy stuff) so I’m thinking that something on the back will have to be it.

@Chrissy – thanks for the tip! Megan mentioned a similar thing yesterday and I wish I had listened! I will get a clothes pin to keep in my bag all the time for skirt pinnings when needed!

To sum up my ride in a skirt – it was fine, except that it was super windy today, so maybe not the best day to debut the bike skirt. So I did end up riding one handed a bunch, while holding down my skirt to preserve my modesty with the other hand. On the plus side: It made me practice one handed riding quite a bit! (Good since I’m still shaky when signaling). I will continue to bike in a skirt but will employ the aforementioned clothes pin trick from now on!
Jane
May 12th, 2009 @ 2:16 pm

I love the colours together.
I think a skirt is fine to cycle in.
Clare
May 12th, 2009 @ 2:31 pm

I love the color coordination here! Also, loving those green loafers. So cute and comfy looking!
Maeghan
May 12th, 2009 @ 3:06 pm

Love, love, love this color combination! They look gorgeous on you! How cute this outfit would be with a cute bike with a bike basket. :)
Dottie
May 12th, 2009 @ 7:25 pm

Love this blog! Doing for academics what we’re trying to do for bike commuting. Cycling in heels is super easy because you pedal with the front of your foot. I look forward to reading more about your fashion adventures :)
Chiara & Kael
May 12th, 2009 @ 8:37 pm

Craigslist and ebay for your bicyle accessories.. the essential clothes for your bike are fenders and a good basket or panniers.

i learned the hard way that leather jackets do not breathe with a backpack on..

love the ensemble..

thanks for stopping by the blog..

Chi’
Kari
May 12th, 2009 @ 10:40 pm

I love the way you accentuated a subtle color detail in the skirt. You look very fresh and springy!

I’ve never biked in a skirt, but if I did, it might be the impetus I need to find a cute pair of leggings to wear underneath.
Emm
May 13th, 2009 @ 7:25 am

Love the color combo here! About cycling: I moved to Holland several months ago and cycle daily to get 3 little kids to school (google bakfiets and you can see the Dutch version of the minivan;)), grocery shop, and go to any meetings or appointments that come up. I always wear regular clothes, often skirts, and almost always, heels. I second what Dottie says about the heels. I think they’re actually easier than flats for riding. I’ve found that if I can walk in it, I can ride a bike in it. Have fun with your cycling.
S.
May 13th, 2009 @ 8:44 am

Thanks, all, for more handy advice and tips! I am so appreciative of you all sharing your bike knowledge with me!

@ Emm – I love your story of substituting the mom-van with the bike and getting kids to work that way too! I’ve seen some pictures of moms like you on Flickr and find them extremely inspiring! I would love for that to be me someday :)
Carla
May 13th, 2009 @ 9:51 am

Great biking ensemble and lovely blog!

I actually find that wedges are the easiest shoe type to wear while biking. It seems to make pedaling really easy. Heels aren’t so bad either : )
Diana
May 13th, 2009 @ 11:03 am

I love seeing all these bike-friendly outfits! I’ve always been a bit nervous about biking while wearing a skirt, but I might go for it with the clothes pin idea. I love my front mounted basket, but you might want to consider a rear-folding basket. Panniers aren’t good for short trips, because you have to take them with you when you get off the bike as they are easily stolen. Check this site for rear-folding baskets and carriers : http://www.waldsports.com/
Courtney
May 13th, 2009 @ 12:10 pm

I am so glad you are starting to ride and post about it! I am a law student and love checking your blog to get fashion ideas, but I bike commute and always arrive to meetings and school sweaty. I felt I could not dress as cute as you ladies so I am so excited to see what you come up with and implement it here!
Stefka
May 14th, 2009 @ 7:01 am

LOVE the colors & pieces in this outfit! I’ve been more adventurous with color this spring… greens have always been a favorite, but my new go-to shirts are several fantastic reddish-orangish tops acquired through sales and thrifting. Thanks for all the inspiration!
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