SPANDEX BIKE SHORTS haven’t been okay since Madonna wore them
on a gondola in 1984. But good news! You don’t have to wear them.
Tight-ass Lycra is made for long-ass rides so unless you bike to work
from Scappoose you need a non-skintight look. Like, now.
Smart bike fashion relies on practical pieces and good layering
choices. Start with a technical base layer. Local sportswear companies
(like Nau and Rapha) make merino or synthetic tops that wick away sweat
to keep you dry. Wear one of these under anything—even
silk—and your macchiato-sipping coworkers will wonder what your
secret is to keeping it sweat-free despite your ride.
Not that you have to wear stuff designed specifically for cycling:
Our fantastic local designers are bikers, too, so they get it. Check
out that Liza Rietz jumper above. Stretchy, water-resistant fabric and
an A-line cut make this particular piece easy to bike in—Liza
herself wears it while biking to her studio.
John Blasioli is living a carless life, so it follows that he chose
a wrinkle-resistant fabric for his suspender pants. “I like seeing
people riding in nice clothes,” he sums up, simply.
Take a cue from John and fill our bike lanes with suspenders, not
Spandex.
On Ben Carey: Rapha Dri-release cotton shirt with back pocket at River City Bicycles (706 SE MLK); John Blasioli stretchy high-waisted suspender pants, johnblasioli.com; Pauper Voile scarf, paupervoile.etsy.com.
On Megan Wilson: Liza Rietz jumper in tech fabric at Liza Rietz, (2305 NW Savier); Nau merino tank at Lizard Lounge (1323 NW Irving); Dust blouse at Radish Underground (414 SW 10th); Rapha silk scarf at River City Bicycles.
The real secret to looking good while biking is to ride a beautiful bike. Mitch Pryor made this custom MAP cycle in his North Portland studio while Natalie Ramsland crafted this pink Sweetpea in Southeast.
Makeup by Kristin Goodman.
No helmets? These are mandatory in many jurisdictions including British Columbia
fuck british columbia. just kidding. helmet laws are fine for kids, but Oregon is proudly libertarian. Please allow us our choices and mistakes. Humans should not be legislated by insurance executives.
But seriously, fuck British Columbia.
I think I’d almost rather wear spandex than look like those douchebags.