Author Topic: bike commuters with a "formalish" dress code - what do you wear when you ride?  (Read 6812 times)

Acg

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I say "formalish" because I wear slacks, shirts, and shoes.  Once a week or so I wear a full suit and tie.  I've only been riding for a month or so, and it's starting to get a little warmer and I'm sweating a lot more too.  I know I could ride slower but I don't think it's going to have that much of an impact.

So I've been toying with the idea of getting changed at work.  What do you guys wear to ride in?  I don't think I could walk into work wearing cycling pants - unfortunately I know it would have an effect on how people perceive me.  Does anyone else have the same predicament?  What do you wear?  Thanks.

jpo

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I always shower at work when I ride in.

Jamesqf

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Yes.  Most places I've worked where I rode any significant distance had showers (and often locker rooms).  Otherwise I would change & clean up a bit in the rest room.

Acg

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There is no shower or locker room.  I can get changed in my office since it is private and has no windows.

I'm really looking for suggestions on what to wear when I ride in though.  Anyone have anything there?  Thanks.

Justaerin

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Maybe some cheap LA Police Gear or 5.11 Tactical cargo pants and an underarmour, 5.11 or VertX polo that are moisture wicking?  Something that at a glance is business-ish but serves a dual purpose of being for active individuals and performs as such.  And of course change in your office.  You can get some camping shower wipes, Hoo-Ahs or waterless soap for a "GI Bath" to clean up after your ride and before you change.
« Last Edit: May 07, 2013, 05:48:43 PM by Justaerin »

bogart

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Depending on what you ride in and your routine upon arrival, could you slip your pants on over bike shorts where you lock the bike up, perhaps with a polo on top, head straight to your office, close the door, handle proper clean-up/changing, and go from there (using wipes, etc., as needed to get the sweat off?)?  I.e., appear respectable "enough" walking in to get safely to where you can change and be ready for your work environment?

Joet

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If I have to meet partners/clients/customers I don't bike commute that day. Pretty simple policy.

Otherwise I keep a spare change of clothes in a closet/jacket/tie/etc, and I have a shower/locker downstairs. Dont want to promote me because I biked to work? ok I guess

jamccain

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I have a locker at work...it is as well stocked as my closet at home.  I wear shorts and an athletic shirt on the way in and change in the office.  Everyone knows I bike to work so they are accustomed to me walking through the
office in athletic gear to and from work.  People actually respect it and view it in a positive light. 

KingMe

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I wear athletic clothes to bike in.  I change in my offfice and use baby wipes to clean myself. I also have a "stink buddy," a trusted friend in the office who I asked to tell me the truth if I stink. I haven't been told I stink yet after years.

StarswirlTheMustached

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Light wool trousers (depending on climate, you may want tropical weight) are almost as good as professional athletic wear, and look far better.  For a top, that's easy to switch out of, and probably incurs less judgmental stares, right? You can get cycling jerseys cut like polo or even button-down shirts, but I'd still change if you're going to break a sweat.

Myself, it's a polo-style jersey I change out of; sometimes I'll change from shorts, or sometimes I'll wear trousers for the ride (or sometimes I keep the shorts on; the office I'm in now doesn't seem to be air conditioned). When I show up sweaty, I wipe it off with paper towels before I change in a toilet stall, but I've heard of people having great luck with moist towelettes. 

Posthumane

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A polo-style shirt and cargo shorts or rolled up pants are a good option. If you have to see clients right away when you're stepping in the door then I could see this being a concern. However, if you are only dealing with your co-workers when you first get to work I think you may be overestimating the effect of them seeing you in cycling clothes before you get changed. You never really know how others perceive you and people have a tendency to assume the worst, but it may actually get you noticed in a positive way by some.

amustache

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I use an Eagle-Packit to fold up the dress shirt and slacks (khakis) for my 7 mile (one-way) trip. Minimal wrinkles; non-existant wrinkles if you wear patterned shirts.

Why not change in a bathroom? That's what I do and nobody is the wiser, except for my bike bag that I bring in. As mentioned, wipes do the job well.

Also, if you're an evening shower person, switch to morning. What makes one stinky is the bacteria, not the sweat. I made the change and it's changed things.

ThatGuyFromCanada

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I wear cycling shorts and a jersey and pack my fancy-pants and shirt into a backpack. So far I've been able to fold them without unsightly creases and I can shower at work so it's an easy changeover 

Justaerin

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A note on folding dress clothes for the journey:  If you seal them in an airtight bag, you can fold them a bit looser and leave air in the bag to provide space between the clothing and anything that would press it into a crease/wrinkle.

Matt F

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I second the wool pant recommendation, just make sure they are lightweight, and they will still probably be too warm for a southern summer, but they are great at absorbing sweat, they do not smell, and they can be hand or gentle washed in water just fine.  I bought mine at goodwill so if they wear out no big deal.  I wear them for riding, then change into different dress pants if I have something fancy that day (if not I will just wear them all day).  For shirts, just wear a sweat wicking loose fit shirt, then throw a dress shirt on outside your office if you are worried about it.  Err that does assume you are a guy, if you are a lady, maybe you could throw the dress shirt on over the other shirt temporarily until you get into the office.

Having said that, I live in the southeast and switched to riding in soccer shorts and a loose fit sweat wicking shirt about a month ago and no one in my office has even blinked since they all already got used to me riding the bike in.

My two cents.

 

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