Originally Posted by
jade408
There are so many non cycling athletic shirts out there. Stores like Target, Walmart, Old Navy, Gap and discounters sell them. You can wear a non cycling specific workout shirt.
The biggest thing is the cycling ones have pockets. It is up to you if your riding style doesn't offer frequent off the bike refueling opportunities so you need easy access to your supplies.
A cycling jersey is also cut shorter in the front and longer in the back so that it fits when you're bent lower in a riding position. If you sit up stock straight on the bike, wearing non-cycling shirt probably doesn't make a difference, but if you get a little aero, it will bunch up in the front and ride up in the back. Again, it's down to riding styles.