Bicycles at Moncler Show

I don't know if any of you follow Garance Doré but today she reports on the Moncler show, which appears to have featured both track bikes and also a lineup of more townie-styled bikes. Read the English write-up.

Dreamy Bicycles

There are bikes on the ceiling at the new Sel de la Terre in the new Mandarin Oriental on Boyleston St.

I'm feeling unobservant, because it seems they're not that new. How did I miss them? Well, anyway, aren't they wonderful? I want to go get a drink there just for the ambiance.

I've only been to the Long Wharf location (once) but based on their website it looks like bicycles on the ceiling it might be a tradition at the Back Bay location. How cool is that?

Bikes and Flowers at Anthropologie

Vintage bikes and a garden of recycled plastic flowers have transformed the windows at the Anthropologie on Boyleston Street. Anthropologie's look is less sleek than that used by Jacob, or Club Monaco, in keeping with their fuzzy, crocheted, new-vintage vibe.












I admit the bikes and the bright flowers did cheer me up!

Bicycle Inspired Décor

OK, the weather is still just awful. Let's go shopping, shall we? I recently walked past M. Flynn Accessories and was impressed by the jewelry, but I was even more excited to see their wallpaper. How cute is that? She said it was shockingly expensive, and I believe her!

Question for my readers

Dear Readers,

Let's pretend that you heard that your bike community was planning a "Bike Fashion Show". What sort of things would you want to go see? What would get you excited?

I'm purposely being vague here, I'm hoping for some brainstorming. If y'all want more direction I'll be more concrete. But just throw things out there - what would you like to see?

Thanks!
-Charlotte

It's Official: a "Dutch Bike" is now a status symbol

Today the New York Times reports that the "new It object is the glossy black Dutch bicycle". The article goes on to discuss many issues we've mentioned here, and other other bike fashion blogs. It's heartening to see that this topic is going mainstream, and a good read. For the gentlemen, there's even a Fashion Slideshow.

For the local Boston angle, I knew that Club Monaco was selling Gazelles, but I didn't know that they're all being imported by Somerville's Dutch Bicycle Company.

I have seen some evidence that bike culture can be it's own worst enemy, with assumptions about riders, etc. I hope the article is right and maybe "the kiss of fashion may help people embrace the idea of a more practical bike"... Come on everyone, let's show them!

Cute Pink Bike Bag

I'm not normally a pink girl, but I'm drawn to this bag at Nashbar. Must be craving springtime flowers! The brighter light puts me in a mood for shopping.

Does anyone have this bag or seen it in use? Is it large enough to be useful?

The Gap (no, not that one)

When I saw this spread in the January InStyle Magazine, I thought with a sigh "that's how I should dress to ride my bike in the city...."

This one, from body+soul magazine, instilled a flash of recognition. That is how I dress to ride my bike. I hope I'm still young enough to pull it off!

Oh well, I guess it could be worse. (don't click that link)

Bikes and Wine

Yes, we bought this bottle of wine simply because it has a bicycle that looks like mine on the label. It's perfect for sharing with a bike friend. Can I pour you a glass?

This just in: Bikes are in fashion

There's been so much written about bikes being fashionable this summer that even I'm getting blasé. Yet here I go again, you see here the 5th Avenue window of Bergdorf in Manhattan last weekend...



PS - the JMW Turner exhibition was wonderful (and overwhelming!).

More Bikes in Media

Seems TV shows and clothes catalogs have decided that a bicycle is essential to be hip. Note that they're all wearing "normal" clothes, no lycra here.



This is a summer-long trend, we saw bikes in June, and back in May. I haven't attempted to catalog all that I've seen (there's a bike used in a beer ad on the MassPike) but let's just say there are a lot of bikes in the mainstream media, and only a few of them are lycra-clad sports cyclists. Even "leisurewear" is shown with lace.

Vogue Vogue

Saturday night on the Esplanade. I was napping at our picnic when I hear these two girls styling themselves. I sleepily roll over, then grab my camera. This shot is taken too late, what you can't quite see is that they were doing an impromptu photo shoot with the bike, "look over your shoulder and smile". You know, a bike is this season's IT accessory...

Retailer Jacob appropriates bikes

There's no denying that this is becoming a real trend this season.

Using bikes to move the merchandise

The photo at right was taken on Charles Street, advertising for Koo de Kir.

The photo below was taken in front of a South End boutique so hip it didn't even have a name.

I'm not alone in noting the increased use of bikes to sell in little boutiques and larger "hip" retailers. Nice to know that if you want to be seen as chic you have to have a bike!

Bike fashion: Pedal Pushers

I recently bought my first pair of pedal pushers. Some know them as capri pants, cropped pants, clam diggers.

I've been avoiding the trend these last few years because often cropped pants do no favors to the derrières of the ladies wearing them. That said, they were called "pedal pushers" in the 50s for a reason - they make a lot of sense on a bike.

So how to wear them fashionably?

Based on the photos of looks I like above, I think the key is to keep a slim silhouette and ensure that the hem/cuff hits at a flattering place on your leg. For me that's much further down than many women. I also needed to find a more tapered capri. I'd love to see a photo of good-looking "boot cut" capris - so far I think they're a really bad idea. Finally I think you need a shoe which complements the amount of leg you are showing. If your whole calf is exposed you'll want a heel, and possibly a skin-toned shoe to counteract the break in the line created by the trousers.

It's pouring out today - cycling raincoat review

What makes a good cycling raincoat?
First off, it should be cute. That's assumed. Beyond that it should be short enough to not interfere with your wheels, it should have long enough sleeves that your arms are covered even when you reach for the handlebars, it should be brightly colored to keep you from looking like the roadway to passing cars, and it should be waterproof. Finally, it should be inexpensive as it will inevitably, eventually, get dirty and worn.


From the Gap this yellow coat is darling! The front will split to accommodate pedaling and the sleeves are long enough to reach the handlebars without exposing a lot of arm to get wet. It's waterproof and bright for cars to see. Perfect!

$69.50



JCrew has a stylish option (love the collar!) in a cotton fabric that looks delicious which they call "Italian paper-poplin". In addition to the bubblegum pink it is also available in a cute light lemon yellow. As a downside, I don't care for the sleeves. Particularly on a bike these sleeves will be entirely too short, they could be worn with a short sleeved shirt but anything longer would inevitably end up wet. I'd prefer the raincoat were a little longer too.

$158.00

I didn't see anything suitable at all at Banana Republic.

To be completely over-the-top, Saks Fifth Avenue has this Burberry Trenchcoat with all the details I describe. It is certainly visible, long sleeves, good length, and a statement piece! Of course, it doesn't coordinate with my bike, and it doesn't conform to the 'inexpensive' rule, so I'll have to pass, but I'd love to see someone fabulous rocking this trench on a bike!

$995.00


Has anyone seen any others?

Announcing New Cycling Cuffs

Chanel showed jeweled cycling ankle cuffs for spring, Brooks has lovely leather trouser cuffs; both are rather expensive. The standard issue in my Local Bike Shop is bright and notable in a road construction worker-type way.

What's a chic cyclist to do?

Start making her own cycle chic! I've started with some simple bicyce trouser cuffs/cyclist ankle clips but I'll just keep making whatever it is I wish I had but can't find in stores (and feel I can make!) so watch this space for more.

Additionally, I would really love to see your own cycling projects! It's very inspiring to see other people's work, don't you think?

Cycling Skirts 2008

It is a fact of cycling that for a given distance it is more comfortable with the chamois found in padded shorts. I don't think there is any way around that. That said, padded shorts look ok on men, but they don't do women any favors. The visible maxi-pad look is one we've feared since middle school.

My solution has been bike shorts with a skirt over them. This can be an ordinary skirt, or one of the many reasonably cute skorts now available. Here are some options for Spring 2008:

Pearl Izumi makes a classic - I have a previous version of this skirt which has been complimented worldwide (well, in Paris and Connecticut). The fun part is the two zippers which make it sexier or more straight-laced (not that anything more is on display)

I am very interested in the yoga waistband on these shorts from REI. I think this skirt has potential and I look forward to trying it on in person.

The lightness of the fabric for these Sugoi Technifino shorts seems more wearable to me than the more obviously "sport" fabrics. Plus they're on sale! There are other options at Team Estrogen, some more or less sporty.

LLBean now sells cycling skorts! I never would have guessed that. I particularly like the Shebeast skirt.

I don't usually gravitate to the Terry products, but they are a resource.