Originally Posted by
nashcommguy
1) It's best to come down on the side of situationally appropriate attire. Add a pair of baggies or mtb shorts w/o a liner over top of the compression shorts. When one is on a training or club ride is the time for 'full-kit'. Not when one is commuting to work. Gym or no. And NO cotten. Polypro or light wool is much better as they wick. Cotton just gets wet and clings.
Agree with the avoid cotton part. The rest, well...
If you're working hard enough to generate a good sweat then activewear IS situationally appropriate. Whether that includes compression shorts or bike shorts is up to you. No need to add another layer if you don't want to. Kangchen: If you haven't figured it out, some people take issue with commuting in spandex. Others have no problem with it. Don't worry about it either way.
"Full Kit" probably needs some definition but I'm sure there's disagreement over that too.
To me "Full Kit" means a matching team jersey and shorts. Probably color coordinated shoes too and maybe even team socks.
Standard black cycling shorts definitely aren't part of "Full Kit", even combined with a team cycling jersey unless black shorts is what the team wears. Most team and even many club kits have patterned shorts.
There's some other etiquette that surrounds the idea of wearing "kit". Many who race feel it's wrong to wear the kit of team you don't belong to (haven't earned the right to represent). Many feel it's wrong to wear full team kit unless actually racing. The bike shop sponsored club I ride with on the other hand would probably be happy to have you wear their kit anywhere. They might draw the line at the opera, but then again, they might not.