I broke my camera last week and until my new camera arrives, I’m out of commission in terms of outfits posts. So if I can’t do a ‘real’ post, than I’ll do an ‘imaginary outfit’ post instead. This March we’re indulging in the Spring trend of Florals, and so I’m picturing a beautiful floral based look that I would love to wear today. And since my wonderful husband has been scouring Craigslist for the better part of the last year to find me an affordable cruiser bike, and has emerged triumphant as of last week, I’m including my new (to me) Electra Hawaii Cruiser in my ‘perfect ensemble’ look below. This little gem is waiting for me at home (in ‘Mint’ rather than ‘Pink’) and I cannot wait to get home and ride it all summer long.
Sources:
- Cruiser bike – Electra Hawaii Cruiser
- Dress – Wet Seal
- Flats – Camper, TWS Collection
- Floral scarf – Liberty of London
Endnotes:
So if this were my ideal day, I’m be riding my new cruiser to the library for some light research (It’s kind of sad, but even in my ideal day scenario, I feel compelled to go to the library and put in some work time, what is wrong with me?). Then I would simply ride my bike around town, stopping at our co-op for some delicious coffee and scones, and perhaps browsing the local shop windows downtown while enjoying my edible treats. I would wear this floral scarf tied around my hair and woven into a braid, which would also make it easy to throw on my helmet when on the move.
Yes, I would wear a helmet. I will address my thoughts on this in another post, but for now I want to share with you some stylish helmet options which make donning a hardhat not so bad . . .
I’ve been searching the internet for some chic helmet options to go with my new chic bike, and the best sources I found were Nutcase (pictured above) and these amazing Sawako Furuno helmets, which are pretty pricey and which I’m not certain how one would get in the US. For US shoppers, Nutcase makes a variety of solid colored or patterned helmets that do not have that typical sporty look. Dottie, of Let’s Go Ride A Bike, has the lovely Starbright helmet and I ordered mine in a Powder Blue Solid.
Since bikes have undoubtedly been on my mind since hearing news of my new friend waiting for my return home, I have been filling my work breaks with much bike-related procrastination. As a result, I’ve come across a plethora of bike related products that I would be able to afford and indulge in were this my ideal day. But since I’ve blown my budget on my return flight home to the US, I will just share these findings with you, the fellow cycle enthusiast out there, so that you may enjoy this eye candy and perhaps give it a good home…
How pretty is this green shirt with the flying bike print on it? Check out this Etsy seller’s other great bike-related items as well as the above shirt in yellow or slate.
I also love this large tote made of 100% recycled cotton. Perfect for throwing in groceries or books and then storing in one’s bike basket on the ride home.
Yesterday, we were collecting ideas for stylish and unique laptop cases or sleeves. Well, here’s one more for the list. I love this slate and ivory damask case with the image of a bicycle silk screened onto it, also found on Etsy.
And to bring it back to March being Florals Month here in academichic – how pretty is this floral backpack that would be great for throwing on while riding through town? Just large enough to hold your wallet and some necessities but light and small enough to serve as a good alternative to a purse should you want something more secure and easy to wear while cycling.
I hope you enjoy some of these findings. I’m heading back to reality now, which unfortunately does not entail much sunshine or many bike rides today, but soon, soon enough… What are some of your favorite bike-related finds? Do you have any good tips or brands to share? S.
So glad you included the helmets. My husband and I are both avid bike commuters, and I cringe whenever I see a helmetless cyclist. Last week he saw a cyclist go over the handlebars in a freak accident and land headfirst on the road, unconscious and bleeding; the EMTs felt that he would be fine, but the helmet saved him. There’s definitely nothing less stylish than deadly head wounds (so it’s convenient that helmets come in cute colors ;).
A friend of mine has modded her helmet to have bright pink devil-horns and braids; she looks like some kind of happy neon biking Valkyrie. So if the helmet options aren’t to people’s liking, they can always paint them or stick soft things on.
You lucky woman! A cruiser?! It will be SO MUCH FUN!!!
I also am so glad you included a helmet! I am very passionate about helmet use, and also cringe when I see people not wearing them. (Just yesterday I had to refuse to go on a bike ride with a friend until she purchases a helmet.)
Oh, I’m so envious of your new cruiser! I need to air up my bike tires this weekend so I can start riding into campus again.
I actually wear youth helmets because I have a pretty small head, and they fit far better. My last one had cherries on it! I need to buy a new one, though, because it was stolen with my old bike from a bike rack on campus a while back.
One caveat about the nutcase helmets: they are a lot hotter than most of the ‘sportier’ helmets. I find the more classically styled helmets great for the winter, but when things warm up I need a lot more ventilation. My sweaty head is even less fashionable than a Bell helmet!
What’s the name of those Camper flats please? I Googled but couldn’t find them; they are adorable! What a great biking outfit. Kudos for the helmet!
Bianca, I know, I love the look of those flats! They are from the TWS Collection by Camper and I found them on camper.com here just in a different color scheme:
http://shop.camper.com/producto.xhtml?option=21161-001&lng=en
The ones above were found through Polyvore so they may be older and perhaps harder to locate? But check out the TWS Collection on camper’s site to be sure.
S
I love this post. It is warming up in San Diego and I’m ready to be outside. Have you seen the Liberty of London cruiser they sell at Target? Nicole posted it a while back.
http://makingitlovely.com/2010/02/23/liberty-of-london-for-target/
It’s adorable.
so, so excited about a helmet i can wear and still feel cute! also, do you have any good suggestions for good things to wear UNDER the dresses. cute, sleek shorts? types of leggings, how to put together outfits that are feminine but also bike friendly–i ride a single speed with no chain guard around town, so i need things that will stay grease-free.
oops! corrected website here :)
Heather B – glad you like the helmet recommendations! I don’t know what to suggest for underneath the dress type of garments, because so far I’ve worn the same thing cycling as I would wear walking or taking a bus, I haven’t made any special accommodations. I see from your blog that you have a road bike which might make riding in a skirt a little tougher than, say, a cruiser, but there’s no reason why it shouldn’t work. You can see my past bike-related posts under the category Velocouture:
http://www.academichic.com/category/velocouture/
For more and more varied examples of outfits that are bike friendly, try checking our the myriad of Flickr Groups Pools dedicated to bike riding individuals:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/velocouture/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/bicyclegirls/pool/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/chicks_on_bikes/pool/
One great resource is Lets Go Ride A Bike, co-written by Trisha and Dottie (if you don’t already know it), where you might find more answers to your question and a long bike-related blogroll as well:
http://letsgorideabike.com/
Good luck with your search! S.
I wear a helmet every day to appease my boyfriend. I look extremely un-cool, but my skull is intact. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on helmets; my vain side still needs convincing.
Oooo this is a GREAT post. I love bikes and can’t wait to go home for the summer and ride my bike around. Thanks for sharing :)
I have a Nutcase and I love it! I didn’t really want to wear a helmet, but I was doing so many miles that I felt obligated to wear one. Having a cute pattern made the compromise a lot easier, and now I can’t imagine not wearing it.
I am totally envious of your new bike. The look you’ve put together is perfect (especially with a helmet!)
I was just popping in to add something about the “dress on bike” dilemna. I currently don’t own a bike myself, so take this with a grain of salt, but I’ve heard of some female cyclists using clips (or even clothespins) to clip the middle of their skirt together between their legs… so as to create a sort of “pantaloon” if you will. And then when they arrive at their destination they remove the clips, and voila! Dress!
thank you so much for the recommendations! i will check out those links and keep coming back to your blog–i love it!
I’m so excited about your new bike! Beautiful and fun recommendations – I spot a few things I would not mind owning :)
These make me wish I know how to ride a bike :-/