The Iva Jean 'reveal skirt' provides women with a tailored, straight skirt that unzips in the back to expose 12 inches of additional fabric at the bottom hem for easy pedaling while biking. Photo: ivajean.com
There's a new fashion movement emerging and it's not coming from the catwalks. The popularity of urban riding has created a new segment in the apparel market. Think slim-line skirts with hidden bike shorts, jeans made with reflective tape on the hem and rear zip pockets sewn into everything from suits to little black dresses. Modern commuters are forgoing technical gear in favour of natural fibres and trend-forward clothes that work on and off a bike.
Similar to the proliferation of sneakers with suits in the 1980's, cycling attire has jumped the sartorial shark. These days, riders are far more conscious of how they look in the saddle. David, 35, has been cycling to work for three years. “It used to be head-to-toe lycra and a shower at the other end but now there are brands catering for riders and we suddenly look a whole lot cooler."
Levi's has led the charge in menswear, creating an entire collection for blokes who ride bikes. The Commuter range uses a combination of technical fabrics and intuitive design to address performance, mobility and safety. Jeans are treated with a nanosphere technology that makes the denim dirt repellent and virtually waterproof while a fluoro reflective tape sewn into the hem creates high visibility strips for evening riding.
Bojun Bjorkman-Chiswell, founder of thebikeinmylife.com wears high heels when she rides. Photo: Kim Tonelli
Bojun Bjorkman-Chiswell is the founder of cycling website thebikeinmylife.com. The Melbourne journalist has combined her passion for fashion and bicycles into a business, spending the past 12 months travelling the world photographing cycle style. “Personally, I ride in high heels all the time but Australians are naturally adventurous,“ she said. “Every country has a distinct style within their cycling culture – some are more conservative than others but [cycling fashion] is a growing trend”.
Women's apparel is booming, with brands looking back to a time when ladies wore gowns, hats and even carried parasols while riding. Iva Jean is an American designer whose own demand for stylish, safe pedal-wear led to the development of a slick range of separates that translate from bike to boardroom. Using high quality fabrics that allow the skin to breathe and bend with the body, her collection includes a pencil skirt that unzips along the bottom hem for ease of movement and a $220 rain cape, which covers the riders arms and legs by draping from the shoulders to the handlebars.
Ms Bojun Bjorkman-Chiswell believes that comfort is the key to looking chic. “If you feel cold you'll be miserable,” she says. “Invest in a beautiful pair of strong leather gloves and always carry a scarf – silk in summer, wool in winter – this will keep the wind chill off your chest and hands, which is where riders feel it most”. As to the rest of your look? “Bikes provide a great opportunity to show the whole world how fabulous your outfit is. Each day you're wearing art. Moving, free, fabulous street art”.
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