I wear cycling-specific clothing and gear almost exclusively. Very few people wear cycling clothes to impress other because, quite frankly, it looks goofy to almost everyone. They wear cycling clothes because they work -- they fit better, are more comfortable, breathe better, dry out quicker and last a long time.

The downsides to cycling clothing are that it can be expensive, sizing is very inconsistent among brands and even within the same brands ... and it looks goofy to most people. You can save money by buying cycling clothes while they are on sale, during off-season (eg, winter jackets in late spring, summer), on eBay/Craigslist and other on-line sites. Sizing can be an issue if you buy on-line, so I tend to buy only brands that I am familiar with on-line unless the site has good return policies. For example, Voler provides free postage-paid mailers to return their clothes if they don't fit.

Most cycling clothes are very well made and last a long time. You also can readily sell used gear on eBay/Craigslist if in good condition. I have lost 30 lbs since last December and recently sold about $200 worth of old jerseys and shorts that no longer fit me on eBay. Likewise, I have selectively bought used clothing on eBay as long as they appear to be lightly used and in very good condition.