Living Car Free - Clothing recommendations

I've recently turned car-free, and it's going great. One main obstacle, though, especially in the summer heat, is arriving to places pretty sweaty. Right now, the majority of my clothes are cotton, so they always get pretty soaked and if I'm going to be somewhere for some length of time, it's a little uncomfortable and kind of rude to those around me. Then again, I don't really want to wear cycling jerseys or shorts everywhere. I was toying the the idea of wearing some cycling shorts and a technical shirt under my normal clothes, but that seems like it'd just make me hotter, and the sweat that they wick away will just get on my outer clothes, so I'm not really sure if that's the best idea. Anyone know of any good clothes (mainly casual shirts and shorts) that won't get drenched in sweat, but are also pretty reminiscent of normal casual clothes? Thanks.

On a side note, being car free is great. I just moved to a new city and started my new job today, and the ride into work was fantastic. I got some hecklers on the ride home, but nothing I could smile about. Here's to hoping that the rest of the summer goes great.

This probably doesn't fit your requirement, but I always wear a high-viz tee shirt in traffic. You can get these from alertshirt.com (http://alertshirt.com/potmanco.html). I think it improves your survival likelihood. It is also made from polyester, so it doesn't carry water, like cotton.

For other clothes, I like to wear either wool or polyester/acrylic materials.

But when it all comes down to it, no matter how well the fabric wicks, you will sweat. My take on it is "Which is better, the pollution from my tee-shirt or my car exhaust?"

While it's summer you could always just keep an extra shirt handy. Use one to ride in, and then take it off (assuming you are male that is) right there at your bike and slip on a clean one. As far as shorts, you could wear cycling shorts and slip a pair of cargo shorts on over them?

Look for light, brightly colored woven polyester short sleeve pullover shirts. The athletic weave looks like it has tiny little pinholes all over. I usually find them at Walmart or sports shops. They are cheap and breathe well. One name brand is DriStar. Even though they don't get wet, they will carry sweat odors so it's best to change shirts.

If you really like cotton, there is a light, open summer weave called madras that breathes well. It came out of India about 100 years ago where the weather was really hot. However it will collect sweat odor just as bad as polyester, so again it's best to change shirts.

Like everyone else said, you will sweat. Synthetics and cotton both give off odor really quickly. Your best bet may be a really lightweight wool.

Icebreaker makes some Superfine 140 / 190 wool shirts that are suitable for summer use. They are breathable but won't smell even after a few days. Most are reasonable machine-washable (no hot water, no fabric softener, etc.) and much less likely to itch than they were years ago, moreso because the wool is so fine.

Superfine Tech T Lite (http://www.icebreaker.com/site/icebreaker_man_superfine140_tech_t_lite.html)

There are a few companies that make good cycling shorts that look more like casual wear. Portland cycle makes a pair of knickers that are fairly low-key.

Messenger Knickers (http://www.portlandcyclewear.com/messenger_knickers.html)

While Icebreaker is based out of New Zealand (and has the lightest weight shirts I could find) a company called Ibex covers a similar range in the states, though they start at 175 (higher numbers mean heavier / thicker wool).

They have a fantastic looking polo meant for warm weather.

17.5 Polo (http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/ProductDetail.php?GID=947&VID=10967&Product=17.5-Polo)

Hope that helps.

It's hard to manage the balance between sweat and appearance. I'm turned off to synthetics because I find they stink rather quickly and give a slimy feel when even slightly moist. They have their place though and are hard to beat for weight and breathability.

ditto superfine merino wool for hot weather. and as a base layer in cool/cold weather, under more wool. it's expensive, but holds up better over the long haul than cotton, drapes well, doesn't stink. you can get away with wearing it more than once even after sweating in it. so ultimately a better value.

I've recently turned car-free, and it's going great. One main obstacle, though, especially in the summer heat, is arriving to places pretty sweaty. Right now, the majority of my clothes are cotton, so they always get pretty soaked and if I'm going to be somewhere for some length of time, it's a little uncomfortable and kind of rude to those around me. Then again, I don't really want to wear cycling jerseys or shorts everywhere. I was toying the the idea of wearing some cycling shorts and a technical shirt under my normal clothes, but that seems like it'd just make me hotter, and the sweat that they wick away will just get on my outer clothes, so I'm not really sure if that's the best idea. Anyone know of any good clothes (mainly casual shirts and shorts) that won't get drenched in sweat, but are also pretty reminiscent of normal casual clothes? Thanks.

On a side note, being car free is great. I just moved to a new city and started my new job today, and the ride into work was fantastic. I got some hecklers on the ride home, but nothing I could smile about. Here's to hoping that the rest of the summer goes great.

First don't worry about what other people think. It's a loosing game.

It makes sense to dress for the ride to avoid any possiblity of heat stress so carry a wash
cloth & towel to freshen up when you change clothes at work. You won't be alone in doing
this as gas prices ,and the changes to a sustainable future, will put lots more people on bikes.

Just watch that heat stress, mate.

I have a bags attached to my bicycle that I carry my work clothes, towel and wash cloth. I commute wearing a polyester bike jersey and baggy bicycle shorts. Upon arrival at work I freshen up and change into my work clothes. I find it far more comfortable wearing the bike jersey over a cotton t-shirt that holds water like a sponge.:)

You really have two options, realistically:

1. Change clothes and apply deodorant when you get to your destination. I do this all the time, for work and socially, and it's not that big of a deal once you get used to it. Panniers or a good messenger bag are perfect for this sort of thing.

2. Ride slower, so you don't sweat.

As long as you arrive early, with a change of clothes and time to change over, you can sweat all you want.

Don't forget a small towel and maybe some deodorant.

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I got a crash course in changing clothes this week since it rained pretty heavily for my morning commute, and the other options are definitely great. Thanks again.

I congratulate you on being car free. I am, too. I wouldn't let hecklers bother you. They're probably just jealous that you didn't just spend $100 to fill up.:lol: I live in Houston where hot and sweaty are a way of life from April through October. That's why I ride at night 99% of the time. It's cooler and the heat and sweat are tolerable. You might consider finding clothing made of bamboo. It's cool and wears like cotton, plus it's naturally antimicrobial to help you keep from being "aromatic".;) Also, try riding in tanktop, or sleeveless shirt. Several bike apparel makers have them. You also might consider a rack trunk, if you have a rack, or panniers. I have a Delta trunk I bought at Nashbar that has fold out panniers that I use for quik trips to the grocers, but Topeak also makes a nice trunk with fold out panniers (model EXP-DXP) that will work well. I carry a small towel in my trunk to wipe off the sweat, and you can carry a spare shirt, pants or shorts to change into, if you have that option. For riding I wear shorts that are actually bathing suits made of polyester and usually have a sewn in liner/panty. They're cooler and are nice to wear shopping, or to a casual restaurant without looking too biker like riding shorts.
BTW, good luck in your new city and job.:thumb:

Yeah...this and social awkardness (being the weird one in a group of grad students without a car) are the two biggest qualms I have about going to school without a vehicle next month.

Right now, I ride mostly in the evenings, an hour before sunset. Even then, it's in the seventies and humid, and after four miles, I'm sweat-soaked and in need of a shower. Hard to imagine arriving somewhere with people and scrambling to the nearest bathroom to towel down and change clothes each time I go to class.

4 miles and you sweat? It must be really humid there and if thats the case.... everyone else will be sweaty too just from walking (assuming they do that there). Maybe you are riding too fast! Slow it down and take extra time getting places so that you wont be such a sweaty yetti. Are you out of shape? Keep riding, that will take care of itself...

I've found that wearing a bandana under my bike helmut is cooling, as well as protecting my head from the sun through the air vents and the back of my neck.