Ladies... Please help me out here...
 

Okay this is obviously for women, but how do you guys drive a bike with a dress on? Long or short I find difficulty. Today I attempted to ride with a knee length dress on because not only was it warm but it was amazingly sunny. Well about 2 minutes in a car goes speeding by and blew my dress up! It was so embarrassing! So please ladies, help me. :notamused:

FYI- http://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...n-s-forum.html

And I'd imagine wear some lycra shorts under the skirt while you ride and remove at your destination.

I ride in dresses and skirts pretty regularly. You have several good options. First, wear what the blogger Bike Pretty calls "dignity protectors" (slip shorts like these: Jockey® Skimmies® Anti-Static Slipshort | Jockey.com). Second, I usually don't wear full skirts because they fly up too easily. You don't want a pencil skirt because they don't provide enough room to move, but an A-line works well. Third, if you do wear a full skirt, then use something like a men's sock garter to clip to the bottom hem to hold it in place. I've heard of some women using binder clips to weigh the skirt down. Finally, if it does fly up, just move on. I'm sure everyone can survive the occasional accidental wardrobe malfunction.

I actually prefer riding in skirts and dresses! Cooler weather is not a problem - I go with a pair of leggings by themselves or with 1-2 layers of long underwear, depending on how cold it is. For warmer weather transportation riding, I just wear unpadded (like volleyball style) bike shorts under the skirt. When my leggings inevitably get trashed, I cut the legs and instantly get a new pair of DIY bike shorts. I've also been known to wear padded shorts under a very short skirt for long rides...it just feels more appropriate if I'm out by myself and need to stop in somewhere.

I've discovered that tight skirts are okay if they're very short; otherwise, they restrict movement. Anything longer than about knee length is also a pain. Consequently, much of my wardrobe consists of skirts that are just above the knee - long enough for work, short enough for biking. I also try to avoid flimsy fabrics that require special care or are easily ruined, but this is just because I trash everything! Finally, I've learned that I actually prefer a men's style frame - I've got nothing to hide (thanks, bike shorts) and it tends to prop up slightly longer skirts and prevent them from getting greasy.

...I may be the only one who doesn't always bother with under things? (other than the typical underthings, LOL) When I first started riding again, I asked this question here too. This was a link that helped me a lot.

How to: bicycling in a long dress | Let's Go Ride a Bike

For the frilly blows about madly dresses.. I keep an old heavy claw clip on the bike. I snap it down in the center of the skirt, between the knees.
And for the fuller ones.... there is a hair tye next to that claw clip!

I only ride step-through/mixte frames. I find getting on and off a diamond in a dress... disturbing. LOL

[MENTION=351938]Giant Doofus[/MENTION], ok, I guess you were right in that other thread when you said I was probably happier not knowing what goes on in the gated 'women only' forum. This...erm... peek behind the scenes has been... enlightening...

I agree. In warm weather, wearing a skirt is a lot cooler than wearing pants or even shorts. And in cold weather, a pair of leggings works wonders. Next winter I think I'm going to get a pair of cold-weather cycling tights that I can wear under dresses on really cold days. I'll just take them off once I get to the office.

Maybe. On the other hand, how many threads have I read with men expressing various concerns about the "family jewels"? I suspect the men on this forum are mature enough to handle a conversation about women's clothing.

If it's a short skirt, can you clip the front and back hem together to make a sort of temporary skort or culottes?

And some men may be interested in this topic too:

skirtcafe.org ? View topic - Riding a Bike with a Utilikilt

I'm not a woman, but regardless, I avoid wearing anything that is not tight to the body. Can't stand flapping material for an hour ride. The only stuff I have that makes any movement is raingear, and it is thoroughly annoying. Perhaps you can just change when you get to work?

I read on some cycling blog, I believe it was Pretty Bicycle!.. but don't quote me on that.. that there is a huge difference in how men and women are allowed to speak about body and clothing fit problems in cycling. Men get to freely talk about numb penises, painful taints and squashed.. um.. jewels. I know know a whole lot more about that subject than I thought ever I would now. This isn't a bad thing. I passed this some of this info on to a few males I know who ride.

But a woman asks about a flapping skirt and... yeah. No one should be shamed out of asking these questions. We all have some sensitive parts that need protection.. and we all have fit issues to deal with. :)


Agreed. Skirts are just so much more comfortable in the heat. Everyone should wear them. ...I keep telling my guy that nothing is manlier than a kilt... and that he has the legs for it but alas, he's still bifurcated. Woe is me.

On cold days I wear fleece leggings under a skirt. It's actually warmer than jeans. (Disclaimer: I own no cycling specific clothing!)

I'm interested to see the woman's forum. Can't wait till I hear back about getting access.

Speak about whatever you want.

Wow that is so weird to make you men uncomfortable. How is this any different then if I asked about wearing pants that get stuck in the chain or loose shorts that catch the wind... I think it's quite odd for grown men to feel uncomfortable.... As if you've never seen a woman in your life...


any who, I really like the idea of the men's style bike holding the dress up, I'm still in the process of new bike shopping maybe ill keep this in mind!

Not a lady and not uncomfortable but there are lots of examples here: Cycle Chic®: bicycling in skirts and dresses

My post in no way was meant to indicate discomfort.turnabout is fair play, after all. I just thought it would make GD smile, given the fact that this topic had come up before. .

Oh, I will, trust me, LOL. As some have said, nothing but death will shut me up.

I just found that post interesting after seeing that 'numb penis' thread bounce around on the first page of new posts for the last few days. Hehehe

Heh. So many fun stories about when I worked in the stock room of Victoria's Secret. Was funny to watch the guys shopping for their ladies. :p

Not a woman, but married to one! Does that count? My wife likes to wear skirts while biking too. She usually goes the 'modesty protection' way and wears some black, mid thigh length yoga shorts under her skirt. She does this whenever she's wearing skirts or dresses.

My wife just wears pants while riding, and changes at her destination. "Not enough freedom of movement" is her line every time.

I am just a guy, so I don't know anything about wearing skirts, maybe I am wrong about this, but next time you wearing a skirt try using a bike garter clip...

Eleanor's | Bird Industries Bicycle Skirt Garter

Ah, that's going one better than my "culottes" comment above.

That's fantastic. Thanks for the link.

Omg you are brilliant!! Ordering one right now!!!:thumb:

Interesting thread. I've been biking for over 20 years now and have only worn a skirt on a bike once, while on vacation in Florida... I rented a beachcruiser and was wearing a knee length, wide A-line skirt. There was enough fabric that I could sit on it in such a way as to not worry about the wind kicking it up.

For commuting, I generally want to ride fast (at least on the way to work). Any kind of worrying about Marilyn Monroe skirt moments, clips to hold things, wardrobe malfunctions, etc. would be distracting and slow me down. I ride in bike clothes: shorts, tights, jersey, etc. and change clothes at work. I do, however, keep a bunch of skirts at work. I find that I cool down easier and feel more comfortable wearing a skirt after the bike ride while I am at work. I try to keep all my office clothes synthetic as well, mostly polyester skirts/tops.