What is it about sport that makes people think they can forget what they are wearing? The marathon is coming up, and consequently the number of runners out along the Thames tow path has increased and the stuff they are wearing is bafflingly terrible. The young can get away with lycra leggings in white, but anyone over 40 can not. Skin tight jersey for men over 50? What are they thinking? Sport can have a corrupting influence on style.
Another area we get a little tired of defending from the sporting enthusiasts is cycling. The Women’s Room loves cycling, as readers’ will know, but we potter, we don’t speed through time trials or down mountain tracks so have no need for aerodynamic neon lycra or performance Goretex with pockets at the back. We like wearing proper clothes, but when we line up alongside the enthusiasts at traffic lights, we feel a little old-school and dislike the sneers of disdain aimed at us from sweaty youths flashing nylon-clad thighs and bottoms that leave nothing much to the imagination. Macho show-offs the lots of them.
We were pleased to read we are not alone on this annoyance, the Copenhagen Cycle Chic , a blog written by Nordic cyclists, suggests wearing Comme des Garcons and heels when cycling which we thoroughly approve of. The blog is a wonderful view on proper cycling, done by normal people. It also offers a great tour guide of Copenhagen with recommended coffee shops and restaurants. There’s a view on cycling in Holland and Sweden too as well as lots of ideas on what to wear while cycling and there’s no lycra anywhere.
Here’s an extract from the Copenhagen Cycling Chic’s manifesto, which we are officially adopting as our own from now on.
- I choose to cycle chic and, at every opportunity, I will choose Style over Speed.
- I will ride with grace, elegance and dignity.
- I will choose a bicycle that reflects my personality and style.
- I will, however, regard my bicycle as transport and as a mere supplement to my own personal style. Allowing my bike to upstage me is unacceptable.
- I will endeavour to ensure that the total value of my clothes always exceeds that of my bicycle.
- I will refrain from wearing and owning any form of 'cycle wear'. The only exception being a bicycle helmet.
The last point in the Manifesto is spot on. My Pashley's mudguards keep soil and splash at bay.
Posted by: Quail | February 18, 2009 at 04:44 PM