Brutal self-honesty has never been an issue, so I'll be equally honest here as I am with my mirror reflection.

For the first four years of my bike-commuting, I had a car; I discovered that it made things easier to be able to continue bike-commuting, as my not-employed wife could take care of other family business. Then she left, and during the transition from a married couple to friends-with-child, I would frequently leave the car with her to manage the other children (she came on board with kids). Eventually, I gifted her the car and bought another.

During this whole awkward, uncomfortable time, I found that the pure joy of riding (finally reclaimed from my teens after 25 years) was also a source of comfort. The car became the alternative transport, a shuttle for passengers when needed. The last month i owned it, it moved twice, neither time to drive to work. When the engine seized, I junked it and never looked back.

I have two trailers, and will be adding a third next year. I am also thinking of going so far as a gas-powered scooter, moped-style, for times when neither bike nor public transit is feasible. I expect I'll be taking it out for 'maintenance rides' more than anything else, should I buy it....

Being stylish, or "in", has never been a consideration. I do what works for me. I wear what's required for the job, and prefer loose-fit jeans and t-shirts (in my size, not saggy-baggy), and the occasional ballcap, for leisure time. Summer sees me in shorts and tees.

My opinions of style/fashion would lead one to believe I'm sourly defensive about not being able to afford such; in fact, I consider it to be a waste to spend like that. I'd rather spend it on food, treats for the kids and myself, bike parts & accessories, and the eclectic oddities I like to have around me. I'd estimate my monthly expenditure on these things is less than the average urbanite would shell out on a dinner evening with friends.

Of course, there's alway the chance that my opinions or my story are irrelevant to the subject OP has opened; I never considered myself middle class.

I decided over 30 years ago that the 'rat race' wasn't for me; I was more about the experience of the moment, living my life instead of giving it away to pay for the trappings. So that may have given me a different perspective.