Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Wearing a dress on a bike is almost a subversive act......

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Wearing a dress on a bike is almost a subversive act......

Old 06-15-14, 11:58 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,532

Bikes: Working on replacing my stolen Soma Buena Vista Mixte

Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 417 Post(s)
Liked 95 Times in 44 Posts
Wearing a dress on a bike is almost a subversive act......

One reason I stayed on the fence about getting a bike (for transport) was about the clothing. Basically I wear skirts and dresses most of the time and didn't want grease stains, to roll up my pants or wear leggings.

I later found that can be solved with the bike. And sure enough I have been wearing most of my regular dresses on my bike. And choosing other bike friendly ones (I.e with a flared skirt).

What is most odd about the whole thing are comments. Not really in particular about my clothing. But if I have a dress on 3-4x people stop and chat with me in my bike. It is really strange. Obviously there are occasional comments about me like "you look so cute on your bike" "nice dress" and the occasional catcall.

But maybe, for some people it is kinda weird. Because wearing a dress on a bike makes it pretty clear that it is not exercising. (And perhaps more interesting because of my package: chubby black girl with preppy clothing vs you know hipster girl)

Anyone notice interesting behavior based on your clothing.

P.s. When I bike to the gym I am totally invisible, few comments.

Last edited by jade408; 06-25-14 at 11:30 PM.
jade408 is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 01:24 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Madison, Georgia
Posts: 120

Bikes: Cannondale T-2000 & SP-1000 (Silk Path hybrid)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Anybody riding a bike is practically invisible to a certain segment of the population, but you probably do look cute. Also, I don't think it odd to ride with a dress on. Isn't that why mixtes exist?

I DO have an unrelated story. A few years back, I was at my local bike store and spotted a bright yellow jersey. Ah, I thought, that's highly visible! I took it home. On the maiden voyage with my bright yellow jersey, I was riding out of town past a trailer park. A boy of about ten or so saw me and yelled, "Are you a racer? What race did you win?" I said, "No, just a pleasure rider." He look disappointed, but I was buoyed with pride at the dashing figure I must be cutting.

A few years later, I learned that the right to wear a yellow jersey was earned by winning a road race.

That boy must have known this.

So I never wore that jersey again.
Dirt Road is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 03:26 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Vught, The Netherlands
Posts: 378

Bikes: Van Nicholas (Titanium) Deveron, Pinion 18 speed, Gates belt, disc brakes; Brompton - 5 speed Sturmey-Archer

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
If you buy a bike with the gears in the hub you'll also have the option for an enclosed chain. Come to the Netherlands where women biking with dresses could never be thought of as an issue for discussion.

They even have guys who bike with dresses over here.
Dave Horne is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 03:47 AM
  #4  
In Real Life
 
Machka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152

Bikes: Lots

Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times in 329 Posts
Originally Posted by Dirt Road
A few years later, I learned that the right to wear a yellow jersey was earned by winning a road race.

That boy must have known this.

So I never wore that jersey again.
Nonsense!! It's a specific yellow jersey that is worn by the leader in the TDF ... not any yellow jersey.

Wear the jersey. It is a good, visible choice. I have several yellow jerseys as well as yellow jackets and vests.
Machka is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 04:27 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 16,771
Mentioned: 125 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1454 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times in 40 Posts
Originally Posted by Dirt Road
Anybody riding a bike is practically invisible to a certain segment of the population, but you probably do look cute. Also, I don't think it odd to ride with a dress on. Isn't that why mixtes exist?

I DO have an unrelated story. A few years back, I was at my local bike store and spotted a bright yellow jersey. Ah, I thought, that's highly visible! I took it home. On the maiden voyage with my bright yellow jersey, I was riding out of town past a trailer park. A boy of about ten or so saw me and yelled, "Are you a racer? What race did you win?" I said, "No, just a pleasure rider." He look disappointed, but I was buoyed with pride at the dashing figure I must be cutting.

A few years later, I learned that the right to wear a yellow jersey was earned by winning a road race.

That boy must have known this.

So I never wore that jersey again.
Really? You're so influenced by others' opinions?
Rowan is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 05:23 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Posts: 104
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Well, you can attract just as much attention in training clothes. I like to ride in my running shorts, even though of course for longer distances it can be kind of painful. Anyway, they are pretty... well, short, so guys stop and chat with me quite frequently, few times some idiots in their cars tried talking to me while we were waiting for the light to change and it was always like "Could we give you a ride? We'll take your bike as well".
But I agree - dresses, skirts and any type of clothing that is either not associated with sport or showing much of your body does attract attention. Try riding in high heels, I did it few times (really short commutes, I was late and my purse was too small to fit in shoes) and everyone I passed was making comments (which made it all the more dangerous because it was hard to stay focused). Also, I never agreed to go for any kind of bag that is convenient so people always laugh at my huge bag and seem to think it will make me fall down any minute.
paperbackwriter is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 05:37 AM
  #7  
imi
aka Timi
 
imi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Posts: 3,227

Bikes: Bianchi Lupo (touring) Bianchi Volpe (commuter), Miyata On Off Road Runner

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 151 Post(s)
Liked 123 Times in 93 Posts
Wearing a dress on a bike is almost a subversive act......

I ALWAYS ride in yellow shirts!
I would happily ride in a replica of the TdF leader's jersey if they weren't so darned expensive, hihi... A cotton t-shirt with cut-off arms works fine. I picked some neon yellow ones on sale recently
imi is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 05:55 AM
  #8  
In Real Life
 
Machka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152

Bikes: Lots

Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times in 329 Posts
Me, in one of my yellow jerseys ... and in fairly typical cycling attire ...




And in answer to the question, "Anyone notice interesting behavior based on your clothing." ... not really, but if anything, it sort of seems like I'm treated with a bit more respect on the road when I dress in cycling attire. Very hard to tell.

Last edited by Machka; 06-16-14 at 06:09 AM.
Machka is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 06:25 AM
  #9  
New Orleans
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,794
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Here in New Orleans(metro area)-
I can't EVER remember seeing a woman riding in a dress.
And rarely see black women riding-and never for transportation-just for exercise and usually with male SO-
Black men around here -have always ridden for transportation-as far back as I can remember-late 1950's
phoebeisis is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 06:44 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
okane's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,039
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 58 Post(s)
Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts
Wheeeew! Thanks for that post

Originally Posted by Machka
Nonsense!! It's a specific yellow jersey that is worn by the leader in the TDF ... not any yellow jersey.

Wear the jersey. It is a good, visible choice. I have several yellow jerseys as well as yellow jackets and vests.
I just purchased a yellow jersey (nothing on it....plain bright yellow) because A. It was the only one they had that fit me properly B. It really is high vis and I ride mostly on public streets

Now if you can come up with a couple of clever retorts for those sure to come nasty comments from passing cars..........
okane is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 06:49 AM
  #11  
In Real Life
 
Machka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152

Bikes: Lots

Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times in 329 Posts
Originally Posted by okane
I just purchased a yellow jersey (nothing on it....plain bright yellow) because A. It was the only one they had that fit me properly B. It really is high vis and I ride mostly on public streets

Now if you can come up with a couple of clever retorts for those sure to come nasty comments from passing cars..........
I love my yellow jerseys for similar reasons ... comfortable and bright.


As for the clever retorts ... just smile and wave.
Machka is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 07:24 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
BobbyG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,960

Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1359 Post(s)
Liked 1,658 Times in 822 Posts
Originally Posted by jade408
And perhaps more interesting because of my package: chubby black girl with preppy clothing...
Even in these enlightened and progressive times I think most people would still find a girl with a "package" interesting. (Attempted humor relying on word play regarding taking the OP's words out of context AND playing on traditional gender identification based on physical appearance....can't be too careful on the internet!)
BobbyG is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 07:43 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
GravelMN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Rural Minnesota
Posts: 1,604
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 75 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
+1 on hi-viz yellow as a completely appropriate color for jerseys. They honestly don't look much like the yellow jersey of the Tour de France or other major cycling events.

Even in my hi-viz yellow, I don't think I'll be mistaken for Chris Froome any time soon.

As far as hi-viz yellow dresses for female riders (not a good look for guys even if they shave their legs) sure, why not
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
Froome.jpg (45.2 KB, 29 views)

Last edited by GravelMN; 06-16-14 at 07:47 AM.
GravelMN is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 08:03 AM
  #14  
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
Originally Posted by jade408
One reason I stayed on the fence about getting a bike (for transport) was about the clothing. Basically I wear skirts and dresses mist of the time and didn't want grease stains, to roll up my pants or wear leggings.

I later found that can be solved with the bike. And sure enough I have been wearing most of my regular dresses on my bike. And choosing other bike friendly ones (I.e with a flared skirt).

What is most odd about the whole thing are comments. Not really in particular about my clothing. But if I have a dress on 3-4x people stop and chat with me in my bike. It is really strange. Obviously there are occasional comments about me like "you look so cute on your bike" "nice dress" and the occasional catcall.

But maybe, for some people it is kinda weird. Because wearing a dress on a bike makes it pretty clear that it is not exercising. (And perhaps more interesting because of my package: chubby black girl with preppy clothing vs you know hipster girl)

Anyone notice interesting behavior based on your clothing.

P.s. When I bike to the gym I am totally invisible, few comments.
Yeah, I think you're right that a cute, preppy, black girl in a skirt on a bike would stand out a bit and attract comments for that reason. Personally, as a black guy, I don't notice any interesting behavior around my clothing, and I do ride both in full lycra kit and street clothes, although my casual style is, well, not terribly stylish! Probably if I wore something more like a costume, say a Renaissance period getup, or a Zulu warrior's sparse clothing, I might catch more of that!

And I'm only being slightly hyperbolic; around my progressive, college town, lots of folks of all kinds ride, so to stick out to the extent you'd draw comments would take a whole lot of different-ness. Cute girls, though, will always get attention anywhere, I suppose.

Now, I do get comments when my Monkey Lights are ablaze...
chaadster is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 08:10 AM
  #15  
Newbie
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Toronto
Posts: 626

Bikes: Fiori Roma, Currently building a Bianchi, Trek 330, formerly Monshee Nomad, Favorit, Bianchi Sport SX, Frankenbike

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by paperbackwriter
Well, you can attract just as much attention in training clothes. I like to ride in my running shorts, even though of course for longer distances it can be kind of painful. Anyway, they are pretty... well, short, so guys stop and chat with me quite frequently, few times some idiots in their cars tried talking to me while we were waiting for the light to change and it was always like "Could we give you a ride? We'll take your bike as well".
But I agree - dresses, skirts and any type of clothing that is either not associated with sport or showing much of your body does attract attention. Try riding in high heels, I did it few times (really short commutes, I was late and my purse was too small to fit in shoes) and everyone I passed was making comments (which made it all the more dangerous because it was hard to stay focused). Also, I never agreed to go for any kind of bag that is convenient so people always laugh at my huge bag and seem to think it will make me fall down any minute.
You can find liners that are lycra with Chamois type padding that you wear under regular shorts - that is what I use.

I don't wear black lycra. I have in the past when I was young and thin, and when I am thinner, I might just. But for the moment I wear looser shorts and the liner, and that keeps me comfortable on longer rides.

I get mine from Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC.CA), but I'm sure they are available many places.
JamesRL is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 08:36 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Dave Cutter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Posts: 6,159

Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300

Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1571 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 9 Posts
Clothes make the man.... or in this case the woman... or the cyclist. How we dress... how we present ourselves to the public... determines how people react to us. Interestingly... discarding unusual, or provocative clothing... wearing a smile (or not) makes the biggest difference in how people relate to each other.

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society ~ Mark Twain
[Twain quote pre-dates the Kardashian's]
Dave Cutter is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 08:46 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,532

Bikes: Working on replacing my stolen Soma Buena Vista Mixte

Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 417 Post(s)
Liked 95 Times in 44 Posts
Originally Posted by Dave Horne
If you buy a bike with the gears in the hub you'll also have the option for an enclosed chain. Come to the Netherlands where women biking with dresses could never be thought of as an issue for discussion.

They even have guys who bike with dresses over here.
I've got the internal hub and a partial chain case on my bike. . My friend joked when she saw my bike it was very dutch.

Originally Posted by paperbackwriter
Well, you can attract just as much attention in training clothes. I like to ride in my running shorts, even though of course for longer distances it can be kind of painful. Anyway, they are pretty... well, short, so guys stop and chat with me quite frequently, few times some idiots in their cars tried talking to me while we were waiting for the light to change and it was always like "Could we give you a ride? We'll take your bike as well".
But I agree - dresses, skirts and any type of clothing that is either not associated with sport or showing much of your body does attract attention. Try riding in high heels, I did it few times (really short commutes, I was late and my purse was too small to fit in shoes) and everyone I passed was making comments (which made it all the more dangerous because it was hard to stay focused). Also, I never agreed to go for any kind of bag that is convenient so people always laugh at my huge bag and seem to think it will make me fall down any minute.
I am not a huge heels wearer generally. But it might be amusing. So far just boots and wedges.

There seem to be lots of men out there that want a ride......
jade408 is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 08:49 AM
  #18  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,532

Bikes: Working on replacing my stolen Soma Buena Vista Mixte

Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 417 Post(s)
Liked 95 Times in 44 Posts
Originally Posted by chaadster
And I'm only being slightly hyperbolic; around my progressive, college town, lots of folks of all kinds ride, so to stick out to the extent you'd draw comments would take a whole lot of different-ness. Cute girls, though, will always get attention anywhere, I suppose.

Now, I do get comments when my Monkey Lights are ablaze...
i love monkey lights.

*I am more like little sister cute, not hot girl cute.
jade408 is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 08:58 AM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW Arkansas, USA
Posts: 1,031

Bikes: 2015 Giant Roam 2 Hybrid

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 91 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
The Hi-Vis jersies that most people wear are not really yellow, they are chartreuse, which is a bit of a different animal. I suppose calling chartreuse yellow is like calling pink light red.

I always wear one, they are comfortable, the back pocket is always reachable and I just like th extra visibility.
Rootman is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 09:05 AM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
danmc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 932
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Before I head out for a ride, I always stop by the local trailer park to seek out prepubescents to approve my clothing choices...
danmc is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 09:14 AM
  #21  
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
Originally Posted by jade408

*I am more like little sister cute, not hot girl cute.
In terms of male behavioral response, I think there's no meaningful distinction to be made there! From pleated tartan skirts, to business pant suits, to hooker hose, guys'll take advantage of any pretext to, um, "express their appreciation" of la bella figura.
chaadster is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 09:18 AM
  #22  
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
Originally Posted by danmc
Before I head out for a ride, I always stop by the local trailer park to seek out prepubescents to approve my clothing choices...
"C'mon, kids, really...does this make me look like the King of the Mountains? Are the dots too big?"

chaadster is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 09:31 AM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
Giant Doofus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 1,050
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 69 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
For my commute, I just wear whatever I plan to wear at the office, which often means skirts and dresses. With a step-through frame this is no problem at all. I do get lots of comments, but they tend to be the "hey, that's really cool" variety. I also get lots of double takes on the road, and it seems like maybe motorists give me a little more space when passing. There's something about a woman in a dress on a bright red bike wearing a high-vis saftey vest that makes people think my bike handling skills might not be great! I'm okay with that perception because it works in my favor
Giant Doofus is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 10:04 AM
  #24  
Banned.
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,535
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Rowan
Really? You're so influenced by others' opinions?
It's a very rare bird that's not swayed by the flock!
WestPablo is offline  
Old 06-16-14, 10:58 AM
  #25  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,532

Bikes: Working on replacing my stolen Soma Buena Vista Mixte

Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 417 Post(s)
Liked 95 Times in 44 Posts
Originally Posted by Giant Doofus
For my commute, I just wear whatever I plan to wear at the office, which often means skirts and dresses. With a step-through frame this is no problem at all. I do get lots of comments, but they tend to be the "hey, that's really cool" variety. I also get lots of double takes on the road, and it seems like maybe motorists give me a little more space when passing. There's something about a woman in a dress on a bright red bike wearing a high-vis saftey vest that makes people think my bike handling skills might not be great! I'm okay with that perception because it works in my favor
LOL! I do have step-thru frame. Although a more muted Royal Blue. Most of the ladies in my neighborhood on bikes are of the hipster variety. Or clearly working out. Occasional moms with tots. I see a lot more dads toting the kids in the trailer.
jade408 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.