Endnotes:
First of, thank you to all the wonderful readers who’ve chimed in this past week with words of advice and tips for me as I venture into bike-commuting! It’s been so helpful to get your tips and also your stories of encouragement (especially to all who assured me that biking in heels and skirts is more than doable).
Thanks to Chrissy and Megan’s advice, I got a bunch of clothes pins and used one to pin the front of my skirt to the back, essentially creating a temporary pair of shorts to help preserve my modesty while riding. I think I will toss a couple in each bag and purse I have so that they’re just handy when I need one.
Skirt Holders, originally uploaded by academichic.
And check out my new basket! I went with a back of the bike version because I fear that my laptop and books would be somewhat heavy and throw off my steering balance at the front if placed in a basket up there. This is actually just a storage basket we picket up at Target. Last night, my fiance added the back rack off a free Craigslist bike we got a while back (that’s out of commission) to my bike, fastened this $10 storage basket with tie straps, and we added a $5 water bottle holder also from Target. We pimped my ride for only $15 – definitely student budget friendly!
Silk tie detail, originally uploaded by academichic.
It’s been a long day of writing at home for me today and my brain is fried. So what better way to unwind than by taking a little bike ride with T. to a local sandwich place for dinner? I’m tossing my bag in my new basket and my cares to the wind! S.
Glad the pinning the skirt trick worked for you! I just keep mine on my bike, then its always there for me in my time of need. The basket looks awesome!
Great tie belt! Lovely colours!
Now that you’ve decked out your bike in such finery, you’ll never want to drive again, beautiful!
Where do you stand on the helmet debate? I’ve read that wearing one actually makes drivers drive closer to you as they get a screwed up perception that because your brain is slightly safer, they don’t need to keep their distance. But not wearing one would freak me out a little. I like some protection between my head and the pavement.
Also, I loved your loafers from the other recent biking post. They remind me of a pair I saw recently in a city I was visiting for an international conference. I didn’t buy them because I didn’t think I’d wear them and you’ve made me seriously regret the decision!!!
I love how the belt plays off of the skirt. And I love belted button ups (I’ll be honest, I like to belt just about everything). I am so glad that beltless week is over!
Oh, this outfit is so cute! I love the teal combined with the olive green skirt! Very earthy but artsy and lovely. Way to go on pimping your ride! I used to be big into biking but I got out of shape and Hub-E convinced me to get rid of my bike (which I strongly resent). Rather than just take it to a thrift store, I gave it to my sister so that at least it’s still in the family. He points out that it’s a “cheap” bike, but to me it isn’t because it’s the first bike I ever bought with my own money and from a real bike shop, where they fitted the frame to my height.
I love the tip about using a closepin when wearing a skirt – so smart!
I used to ride my bike a ton (trying to get back into the habit) and I always found it was easier to ride in heels – the heel sort of fit around the pedal and kept your foot from slipping off :)
Thanks, all!
@A – I haven’t decided on the helmet thing, I have one and sometimes wear it and sometimes don’t… this is something I’m still trying to figure out! I agree about the safety of it, but sadly, am also concerned about my curly hair that’s not the most helmet friendly.
As for the loafers – I’ve been wearing these a ton lately which surprises me as well! I’ve come to really like them as a summer shoe with skirts and cropped pants, which is not at all how I had thought I’d wear them when I bought them.
@Chiada – it sounds like you need to get a bike again ;) What are the chances that your sister would part with it and return it?
@Goober – glad to be able to pass the trick on! I was happy to recently learn of it myself!
I’m so glad you found a basket that works. I love that silk tie worn as a belt :)
Sorry, this is coming in kind of late as comment, but beware of bikes and wide legged pants…I got the cuff of just such a pair caught in the back bike wheel last summer and ended up falling off the bike. Luckily the pants didn’t rip but they were pretty dirty, and I wasn’t really hurt (I did scrape my arm pretty good trying to break my fall, and, in a plug for helmets, I did smack my head briefly on the pavement, but because of the helmet I was fine!). So those clothespins should come in handy! I used thick rubber bands to help “peg” or tighten my pant legs after that, or I would roll and peg them (so they looked like capris). Not very fashionable, but I learned my lesson. Anyway, just wanted to mention that…I think the outfit looks great, very summery and smart with the white shirt.
Thanks, SG! I have been careful with that and summer clothes do make it easier to deal with that problem. I figured I’d use a hair elastic to tie the pant leg together or roll it, like you said, and eventually I’d like to invest in a chain guard. Sorry to hear about your fall and thanks so much for the warning!
Good, economical set-up. I’m all about baskets. I’ll have to try the clothes pin trick sometime. If I’m wearing a light-weight skirt or dress, I use a file folder clip on the inside of the front of my skirt just to weigh it down from blowing up in the wind (not connecting the front and back of the skirt). As long as the skirt’s not super short, the only danger of over-exposure comes from the wind blowing it up. The skirt in this picture is probably heavy enough to go it alone, but I guess better safe than sorry :)
we always use storage baskets that are biodegradable coz we wanna help the environment~”"
the storage baskets that i use is made up of 100% recyclable material’:`
we are always using storage baskets that are made of natural fibers and paper:`.