High-End Clothes For Bicycling

I’m conflicted. You see, I started this blog to promote a sense of everyday bicycle style, nothing fancy, just the idea that all clothes are potentially cycling clothes, not just expensive race-inspired spandex costumes. The idea was, in some small way, to democratize access to the bicycle as a form of transportation. Too many Americans still believe that you can only ride a bicycle in specialized clothing. So, I didn’t have just bicycle commuters in mind, but also folks who ride bicycles for errands, recreation, whatever.

Well, I get this promotional email the other day from a new company called OUTLIER, with the slogan “Clothing for Cycling in the City.” Cool, I think, this looks right up my alley. I go to their site, and find these apparently amazing black trousers. So amazing, in fact, that based on the sales pitch, you may not ever have to take them off. It’s a young company, just getting started, and still very small. Awesome, I think, just the kind of thing I’d like to promote. But then I saw the price: $240 for a pair of pants.

If you want these pants, and can afford them, great. They’re probably the greatest single thing you’ll ever own. Problem is, myself and most of the people I know couldn’t possibly afford to drop this much on a pair of pants, even if they came with super powers and cash stuffed in the pockets. I’ve posted about high-end “everyday” cycling garments before, and I wonder if this niche market isn’t simply a continuation of the idea that you need special clothes for cycling.

A lot of folks will say, “what’s the big deal, this is just a small company making a product to make our lives better, leave ‘em alone.” I couldn’t agree more, and if you really want these trousers (and there are sane reasons to want them), you go buy them, and feel good about supporting this small company. I don’t think this post is going to stop anyone from doing that. My only point is that you don’t need $240 trousers (or shoes, or shorts, or jerseys) to ride a bike, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

OUTLIER

 

Styrian Cycling Attire, circa 1900

Styria is a state in the southeast of Austria (the second largest, in fact), with a traditional regional costume that seems perfectly suited for cycling: short pants, warm socks, and layers. I particularly like the vest and the socks, but the entire package is wonderful. I also like the blanket tied to the saddle.

This turn of the century image comes from Flickr user radlmax’s photostream.

 

Three Men on Wheels

Kent’s Bike Blog blogged about Jerome K. Jerome’s 1900 book Three Men on Wheels a couple of months ago, and I just came across the beautiful cover while searching for an image of John K. Bangs’ The Bicyclers and Three Other Farces. I’ve not had a chance to read the whole thing yet, but this description of one gentleman’s cycling attire caught my eye in these weary dog days of summer:

George and I climbed in and sat waiting for Harris. He came a moment later. Myself, I thought he looked rather neat. He wore a white flannel knickerbocker suit, which he had had made especially for bicycling in hot weather; his hat may have been a trifle out of the common, but it did keep the sun off.

The horse gave one look at him, said “Gott in Himmel” as plainly as ever a horse spoke, and started off down Friedrick Strasse at a brisk walk, leaving Harris and the driver standing on the pavement.

The accompanying illustration doesn’t exactly communicate the strangeness of the get-up for today’s reader. One wonders what the horse might have said if he could see some of today’s cyclists.

Cover: Indiana University Lilly Library.

Illustration: Google Books.

 

Lampoon of Early Cycling Style in “The Bicyclers” (1896) by John Kendrick Bangs

“The Bicyclers” is a one-act farce lampooning the rage for bicycles that swept Europe and America in the 1890s. Although it was certainly a Golden Age for bicycling, many people considered it a fad, and an obnoxious one at that. Bicycles were dirty, dangerous, and exhausting, and bicyclists rode too fast, startled horses, and acted as if they ruled the road, or so claimed critics. Cycling attire was also a point of some contention, especially for women, who often wore controversial “bloomers” to facilitate riding. As this passage suggests, men’s cycling fashion, if less controversial, was no less entertaining.  

Bradley:  When did you go into short trousers?

Perkins (with a feeble laugh, glancing at his clothes). Oh, these–ha, ha!  I’m taking up the bicycle. Even if it weren’t for the exhilaration of riding, it’s a luxury to wear these clothes.  Old flannel shirt, old coat, old pair of trousers shortened to the knee, and golf stockings. I’ve had these golf stockings two years, and never had a chance to wear ‘em till now.

Thanks to jgodsey for the link.

Image: Indiana University Lilly Library.