I always wear cycling shorts on the bike, even when commuting. I was usually close to the only one on my fairly busy commute in NYC wearing spandex. I'd also wear breathable synthetic athletic type shirts, but not cycling jerseys. When the weather got colder I had cycling specific cold weather clothes that I'd wear, but the issue would be lunchtime when I didn't have a proper jacket to go out. Not a big deal though. This is all moot now as I retired this week!