There's nothing wrong with looking good. It's not vanity - vanity is overdoing your desire to look acceptable. It's not conformity - conformity is dressing a certain way to suit your desire to be like others. It's not insecurity - that's someone else's diagnosis (and there are a lot of amateur psychologists out there).

Clean clothes and a clean bike is what I like. I don't really expect that folks will notice what I look like.

It's like when I travel on business. Now, some people travelling on business, if they aren't going to be rushing straight from the airport to a meeting, wear casual clothes, even blue jeans or shorts. I always wear a suit for a few reasons:

1. Suits travel better on your body than in a suitcase.
2. It just looks more professional.
3. People call me "Sir." Obviously, they don't know me as well as you guys and so are easily fooled. :)

Rainman

OK Thanks for the explanation. Although I have some issues with these points. There are places I have ridden and do ride around here that is loaded with "wait a minute vine." If you wore cycling shoes your legs get chewed to pieces. Having said that I do werar Nam Jungle boots. The reference to the guy in the suit, and the guy with a cart. I have known both I get more respect form the guy pushing a cart. Most "suit's" would not give me the time of day, even though I am 34 and retired and don't have to work if I do not want too. Having said that if some of you guys saw me on the street, and saw me on a bike, with my long hair, t shirts, wearing boots, covered in mud, what would you think? By the way Orguasch I was speaking of the guy who goes by the user name Oscar not you. No offense toward you was intended. If you took it that way I am sorry.

Man, I'm waiting for a fight to break out here. Let me know, I want ring side.

Hunter, I think long hair frickin' rocks. I had long hair until last year...now I sport a shaved head...much faster(at least in the mornings). And as with you, I would much rather be wearing boots and covered in mud than looking like I just stepped off the moon. I don't know what I am trying to say here, but...I guess every one has their reasons for why they do what they do. One certainly can't worry about the others...that is how the Man beats you down.

Hunter, do you have something against looking cool?
I think it has been established that cyclist clothes are needed. And if I am going to spend the money for cyclist clothes, I'm gonna buy what I think is cool, cuz that is what I would be happiest with. Why would I buy something that I wouldn't be happy with?

No I do not have anything against "looking cool." I am not debating the neccestity of cycling clothes. I am as originally stated simply looking for a answer to a question. What someone decides to do with his or her apperance is their own buisness, and I could care less what they wear. To answer youur second question, I do not know. Ok listen I am not trying to start arguements. I as stated am looking for an answer. If I wanted to fight I would just show up and confront whoever directly. I know alot of you are probably saying, "geez when will he stop?" Thing is I want the question answered to my sastisfaction, if you see it otherwise I am sorry but after all it is I who asked the question. The need or the desire for "cycling clothes" for comfort is not the issue nor is it the question I asked. Like I said I know my posts have offended people and probably angered many other's. I am not politically correct nor am I a conformist, I am not a rebel. I am simply searching for an answer as to why would you if applicable, seek out to "look cool?" This means intentionally buying this or that solely for the purpose of "looking cool" to other's. It does not have to be your opinion of "cool" but to go out of your way to look it. It has nothing to do with comfort. Example: here in Tx. where I live "cool" is skin tight Wrangler jeans, pointed toe boots, huge belt buckels, matching cowboy shirt, and of course the cowboy hat. Now do I go out and buy these things to, "look cool?" No way I could not force myself to wear this stuff. SO instead what people see me in is shorts, and tee shirts, wearing hiking boots. In the winter it is sweats, sweatshirts, and hiking boots. I do have one cowboy garmet, I have a denim jacket which fits in here.

· So Hunter chooses to wear his hair long. I don't understand this. Is there some sort of coolness factor?
· Anybody (men or women) wear earrings? What's up with that?
· Tattoos? Why would anybody want to get inked? Vanity?
· Who wears wedding bands? Is that some sort of an insecurity thing?
· Paper or plastic bags, are you kidding? Isn't the choice obvious?

Meaty issues here. Oops, did I say meat? Maybe we ought to add the vegetarian vs. flesh eater thing in there too.

Tongue firmly in cheek, wearing my Royal Robbins Shirt, LL Bean pants, Nike socks, and Rocksport shoes, I remain the Duke of Cool.

I think the need to be cool is one of the modern-day expressions of primitive society.

Caution, pure speculation follows:

If you are buying cool stuff to look cool, you do so to affect (favorably) to members of society around you. You may do so to increase your odds of mating (bikinis, expensive watches), achieve power or control over others, or simply get attention for attention's sake. In less advanced societies, a member who didn't adhere to the society's normal activities was less likely to get food, mate or be helped when in trouble. When we see images in ads or in the media, we are supposed to think that this is the normal state of affairs. Our instincts tell us to conform to remain in good standing with the members of society with which we interact. Nowadays, this can be ignored, as there are many modes of existence that will let us survive, prosper and propagate. We can easily travel and find a group that we fit rather that change to fit the nearest group. However, our instinct is still there, in the background, telling us that we need to conform to survive.

For what that's worth. Take it or leave it.

No no coolness factor with my hair. I just refuse to cut it. Had it forced to be cut in high school, and I will not cut it short anymore. No earings, No tat's. No wedding bands.

Cool? I'm lucky if i can avoid looking like a total geek.

You ever notice that the harder someone tries to look cool on the outside the less cool they become on the inside.

Okay, i'll have to say that i'm a little confused by your question, Hunter. I mean, what exactly do you mean by trying to look cool. I understand your example of the cool Texan, but how does that translate into cycle-wear? Is it your average joe mountain-biker decked out to the hilt in team colors and $200 racing shoes, $100 shades, color-coordinated helmet, etc... Obviously, You don't have an issue with people wearing bike clothing. So is it something against bikers who pay good money to advertise on their clothing. Give us a specific example.

You know what i think is cool? Someone who's got a great body and technique from all the riding they do. I've stopped worrying about what my clothes look like and now i'm concentrating on getting the figure i hang the clothes on looking cool.

I have said it all, I want to look cool and good looking, I couldn't care less what other people would say, I work hard, I deserved some luxury in my life.... and I offer a toast to all of you guys out there:beer:

I think why someone buys something to look cool is a personal question, and all the replies in this thread are the answer's. There is no one answer.
If I was a serious cycler( I am) and I had $70(I don't) and I needed a cycling jersey, I would get the USPS team jersey instead of some blank performance thing. But it would be because I(key word) think the USPS jersey is cool, not because everybody else does.

Interesting...this kind of stuff makes my head darn hurt! ;)

I think it's okay to look cool. Didn't think that was wrong to look (okay, let's be realistic here, perceive ourselves to be cool)? : D

I think a great deal of people like to wear different cycling clothes to really feel more of an individual. Most of the cyclists I see out there don't wear the same type of clothes--except for those on a group ride, and they're a team.

Also, I think people wear certain clothes more out of functionality, rather than whether or not it's cool. However, if it's functional (visible -- somewhat sweat resistant/repelling?) and looks good, why not? If it's on sale, so much the better!

I don't wear the usual lycra bike shorts, but the shorts with the bike short lining underneath, just cause it's functional, and it I feel comfortable wearing it. Hey, isn't that the key to being cool? Just being comfortable with what you wear and who you are? Well, that's what my "cool" friends tell me, anyway... ;)

Don't worry Fubar you're already "cool". How many times has the word "cool" been used in this thread? I wish i was into biking at your age.

The only actual biking Jersey i have is a plain blue Performance one. It works fine and i don't remember what i paid, but i'm sure i could have bought two maybe three of them for what a logoed jersey costs. I have to admit that i've thought about getting a Salsa jersey before. I love the designs and colors and although I don't usually pay to advertise someone's product Salsa makes some nice stuff. I just couldn't justify spending the extra money just for added style.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and make this assumption. After reading this thread it sounds like someone "dissed" Hunter's cycling attire, which amounts to a pair of shorts, combat boots, and no shirt. Hey, I've got no problem with the attire. If it works for you, then use it. Then it sounds like in a defensive posture Hunter posted this question. I've read his original post several times and this is what it sounds like to me or maybe i'm reading into things too much.

One last thing. Regardless of how much you spend or what you wear. Do you think cyclists are ever going to appear cool to non-cyclists? I guess i've been riding for too long because i'm really not sure of how the general public view us. But i've heard the occasional snide comment about spandex shorts and loud jerseys. I don't really care what non-cyclists think. I'm just wondering what you all think about this.

Okay, i'm just trying to extend this thread. I must be really bored.

I'VE GOT IT!!!

The one thing that makes ALL cyclists look cool.

A great body, technique and flying like an airplane!

(Just dreaming...)

:(

That is something I really never understood, even with 'street clothes'. Why on earth would I want to pay, for example, for a Levi's Shirt with a Levi's advert right on the front ?? (And sometimes it's a downright clear ad to - like 'there is nothing more cool' or something) What a weird, weird society we live in.

But then I think most cyclists are different. Most of us wouldn't be too bothered if the decals displaying the brand name of our bikes were peeled off (some of us do it purposly to deter theives). Try asking someone who bought a pair of expenisive branded pants to unstitch the label off !

claude

I guess logos have become a sign of a person's "cool" status. To the average person, Tommy Hilfeger(I don't know how to spell it and I don't really care) represents a cooler person than wal-mart "out of bounds" or K-mart faded glory.

thbirks, I don't think I'll ever have $70 to blow either, I like the USPS team jersey, but I'd rather get a jersey and some other stuff rather than just a jersey.

Hmmmmm , lookin' cool ? define cool !!Perhaps we all have a different opinion , on whats cool.....!!!!!..man I think Jimi Hendrix was/is cool..but do you ..?, Its personell perception, our own minds, I think I could say ...that "cool" is almost a jealously feeling on behalf of the uncoolest...**********?? Ummm dunno, just had that a'feelin'.............-Buddy.

Right now, "cool" is definitely "in" for me. My rides home are starting to push 90 deg. F.! :cool:

THBirks said, "I'm gonna go out on a limb here and make this assumption. After reading this thread it sounds like someone "dissed" Hunter's cycling attire, which amounts to a pair of shorts, combat boots,
and no shirt. Hey, I've got no problem with the attire. If it works for you, then use it. Then it sounds like in a defensive posture Hunter posted this question. I've read his original post several times and this is what it sounds like to me or maybe i'm reading into things too much."

No to my knowledge no one has ever "dissed" my attire, at least not to my face. The reference you made to what I wear is not full time. Most of the time it is hiking boots. I am not being defensive but merely posing a question, that is all. Like I said I could care less what you wear, or what you think about me and what I wear.

It is an expression. To define it however is open to interpretation. I think Hendrix was cool. Like I stated before "looking cool" or to look cool, is it something you go out of your way to do. You know fit in, be recognized, be percieved as cool to other's etc. If you think it is cool then fine. However what I am searching for is the answer to the question I posed. Not your opinion of cool or your opinion on comfort. Here it is again:
I know alot of you have gotten offended at my posts so hear is another one. Can some of you explain the importance of "the coolness factor," or the vanity point and how it relates to cycling. Can some of you explain why it is important how you look when cycling. Can some of you explain why it is important how your bike looks, or how much mud is on it. I know there are some of you here that could probably care less. I have never understood this and would very much like to. Thanks!
You see there are those who seek out to "be cool" or "fit in" or whatever to be perceived as cool or hip, while cycling. The way they look and matching colors like helmets, clothes, glasses, etc are really important. There are those who purposefully go beyond normal leaps and bounds to fulfill this desire. Looking cool and fitting in is high on the priority list. Thing is I just want to know why that is, that is all.

You're at your coolest when you're not trying to be cool.

Well Hunter, I think your answer lies in one of my earlier posts. Why someone goes out of their way to fulfill the "coolness factor" is totally dependant on the person/persons. I try to look cool for my own reasons, badger tries to look cool for his own reasons, orguasch for his reasons and so the list goes on. You do what you do for your own reasons, whether to not get caught up in vanity and displease the Lord, to look different than all the other Texans, or whatever toasts your poptart.

Most cyclists wear what they do because for whatever reason, it is practical for them. Even bright colors that "look cool" are safer in traffic.

But what about motorists? Aren't they the ones who fall for the silliest marketing schemes? What about giant SUV's that look like they came from one of those "truck mashing rodeos," or whatever you call those events where those huge-wheeled trucks try to ride over junked cars (I would secretly enjoy that,) that never have a speck of mud on them? At least my buddy who drives a gas-guzzling Land Rover takes his off the road.

Don't they have computers in the more expensive Cadillacs that can tell you exactly, by satellite, where you are? HA! That's something men will NEVER use!
But you can be sure it will be standard on their Cadillac.

How about cell phones? Wouldn't you like to hear the conversations? "Hi, honey, just calling to see if the phone works. I'm in traffic, just trying to show everyone I have a cell phone, too." But when they get home, do you think they will answer the phone? NO! They want to show off their messaging system instead.

Car stereos? They're great for cranking up so loud you can feel the electormagnetic pulse in your chest. Especially when loud enough to "buzz."