Bicycles & suits

[MrBern]

Article on Dutch bicycles in NYC

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/fashion/16CODES.html

The civilized pedigree of the Dutch bike is matched by its old-fashioned design: it comes with fenders, chain guard, generator and rack — standard, as they say in Detroit. With a bike kitted out like that, a man can wear almost anything he likes to work and not worry about getting grimy — no kamikaze messenger-wear required. Luckily, the new look of men’s wear, with its slimmed-down, sporty shapes (even in suits), is tailor-made for a bicycle commute. And since Dutch bikes are ridden upright, not hunched over, and you move at a safe, slow gait, sweating is not the issue it is when you’re careening on a road bike.

[Matt Deckard]

I have to post my Peugeot ALU 500

[Lamplight]

Actually I've tried riding a bicycle while wearing a modern sport coat, and it just didn't work well due to the low, large arm holes. And this on a bike that offers a fairly upright riding position. And around here, sweating is always an issue any time after March.

[Matt Deckard]

What aout the smurf hat. I think they are coming back!

[Godfrey]

Personally prefer the selection at Dashing Tweeds. Far more practical and stylish.

[Matt Crunk]

If the guy on the bike had bigger shoes, I'd swear he was a clown.

Why is it that in modern fashion shoots they always try to throw some element into the mix (in this case several) that looks totally absurd? Are they simply too unsure of themselves to play it straight anymore?

Has the world grown so cynical that everyone now feels the need to pad themselves against it? To build some sort of "out" into everything they do?

[Marc Chevalier]

Why is it that in modern fashion shoots they always try to throw some element into the mix (in this case several) that looks totally absurd?

Actually, that company's entire line of clothing is largely absurd.


.

[Paisley]

"...sweating is not the issue it is when you’re careening on a road bike..."

Does this bike have air conditioning?

[avedwards]

I cycle to school on a daily basis and being a Brit have to wear a uniform which is similar to a suit (in shape, not in looks). I find that trousers and shirt and tie are not a problem but I don't like wearing my blazer as I hate the colour and it's too warm (even in winter). I wear a cloth bomber jacket and store my blazer on my luggage rack, then switch when I reach school.

I could imagine myself doing the same if I cycled to work in the future and was in a job wear a suit is worn. The only problem is that I wouldn't be able to wear my fedora, as I have to wear a helmet and taking a foldaway hat seems silly as there would be no point wearing it indoors.

As far as sweating is concerned I no longer have any problem with that as my bomber jacket is light enough and I'm so used to my cycle journey that it's no longer much physical effort for me.

[Lamplight]

"...sweating is not the issue it is when you’re careening on a road bike..."

Does this bike have air conditioning?

I can stay reasonably comfortable while riding my bike even when the temperatures rise into the 90s (F). The problem is when I have to stop.