[url] http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/apr/06/cycling-women-fashion-topshop [/url]
Written by a woman, in summary it seems to be saying if the clothes were nicer there would be more female cyclists, but designers are on the case.
😆
"an alternative to the greasy fingernailed, Masonic, very macho environment you find in a traditional bike shop,"
... and on STW!
Somehow, I doubt it's a lack of fashionable "panniers, saddlebags and retro cycling caps" thats deterring women from taking up cycling.
Women I talk to seem to have been brainwashed into disliking physical effort, sweat and dirt. And cycling is still considered low-status in many quarters.
racks of fluorescent fabrics and wondered if it would ever be possible to buy cycling gear that wouldn't make her look as if she had been attacked by a highlighter pen.
Attacked by a highlighter pen = nice and visible on the roads
But certainly among people I know, it's not the lack of suitable clothing that puts them off, it's the thought that they might get sweaty, mess up their hair, get dirty that puts them off.
This is not about cycling as most of us here would think of it, but cycling in a much more light, low level and every day sense. It's about acceptance of cycling as a 'normal activity', rather than some perceived weird form of masochism practised by sociopathic, lycra clad freaks.
If cycling can become viewed as normal, and even fashionable, by the clientele of mainstream stores like Top Shop (whether they decide to actually try it or not), then that's only going to be good news. The fact that Top Shop have even decided to run with this is very positive.
I think that for a lot of people cycling is seen as being something that only those who are:
a) radical deep green,
b) poor,
c) banned from driving, or
d) aggresive arrogants tossers
do.
There is far too much mention of the dangers apparently inherent in actually cycling and almost no mention of the actual ease of it.
Actually I was talking to my optician last week who now cycles between St Johns Wood and Holborn and hadn't realised how short a journey it was and actually how easy and pleasant it was.
I do find it hugely patronising that it is thought that women don't cycle becuase of the clothes! cos clothes and make up are all women think about, right????
(if it was about the lack of high heeled cycling shoes on the other hand..... 😉 )
i think it's a culture thing, i was visiting friends at the weekend, and my swedish friend said "in sweden it's normal, you cycle everywhere" briain as a whole no longers views cycling as a 'normal' method of transport. I think this may be (slowly) on the change
Actually I was talking to my optician last week who now cycles between St Johns Wood and Holborn and hadn't realised how short a journey it was and actually how easy and pleasant it was.
Great, isn't it? I'm hearing a lot more of that sort of thing lately too.
It's not true to say that fashion plays no part in getting people interested in cycling - look at the increase in people riding round on Crayola-coloured fixies in London.
Personally I don't like wearing special "cycling" clothes for everyday riding - it's just not necessary for pootling to work or the pub - and dressing like a day-glo rave clown is all very well, but it won't do you any good if you ride like a muppet, or automatically assume that all car drivers can see you.
Clap trap - I don't think many of the women I have encountered when out cycling look like they have been 'attacked with a highlighter'. In fact I reckon some of us are pretty stylish and could probably write better 'cycle fashion' tips than some of these journos - Kate Spicer particularly winds me up when I see her Sunday Times 'Cycle Girl' articles.
The reason most women don't feel like cycling isn't a fashion thing, its down to them not wanting to get hot and sweaty (wear the correct attire and you don't have to), don't want to get wet or dirty and the fact that it doesn't really fit in with their lifesyle (they have other interests or commitments).
I've bought my wife a bike, nice cycling gear, i will drag the children in a trailler while she pedals herself and... she still wouldn't come out yesterday. Too cold apparently
The reason most women don't feel like cycling isn't a fashion thing, its down to them not wanting to get hot and sweaty (wear the correct attire and you don't have to), don't want to get wet or dirty and the fact that it doesn't really fit in with their lifesyle (they have other interests or commitments).
Yes!
aP, I can tick three things off your list, what's the prize for all 4?
I do find it hugely patronising that it is thought that women don't cycle becuase of the clothes! cos clothes and make up are all women think about, right????
I don't think that's really what the article is saying - it does start from the viewpoint of a female cyclist lamenting the lack of stylish gear available after all, not a women who won't ride for those reasons.
The important point is that women who probably wouldn't even think of cycling anywhere usually, might be encouraged to give it a go because there's some nice gear they can buy that is made for that purpose. You can't deny that a bit of a retail opportunity can be a great motivator to get out there and do something. That's not just a female thing either; just take a look at all the "Wot bike bling should I buy next?" threads around here. And how many guys got into biking because they liked all the expensive gadgetry involved? It's just about selling a concept.
too be honest from the link in the article I can't see the gear being different than any other stuff sold in clothes shop for girls
I think thats part of the problem though trailbreak martin, chicken and egg and all that. No point setting out new retail opportunities aimed at women if there aren't enough of them taking up cycling in the first place.
I do find it hugely patronising that it is thought that women don't cycle becuase of the clothes! cos clothes and make up are all women think about, right????
There there love; shoon't you be in the kitchen or something? 😉
I think fashion is important, actually, and not just for women. I use my bike to get around on, and I don't want to be going to the pub looking really 'cycley'. I definitely think there's a call for less 'sporty' cycle gear. Rapha is definitely filling a niche; some of their gear is both practical and quite stylish. Too bloody spensive for most people though.
When I worked in bike shops, one of the biggest complaints about cycle gear, from women, was that it looked awful. Now bearing in mind, you may have a 30-40 minute journey to work, and you need to consider sweatiness and your appearance, speshly if you lack facilities to change at work. This goes for men as well. A lot of the stuff available does look quite sporty. Cut specifically for cycling. Fair enough, but there's definitely a gap in the market for functional yet a bit less sporty cycling stuff.
And some ladies I know, what cycle, feel that lycra and clingy stuff is just not for them. There's often not a great deal, between sporty lycra stuff, and casual 'baggy' gear. A vast chasm, in fact. Good on Top Shop for thinking in a positive manner about this issue.
Mind, things have moved on a long way from the days of fluoro lycra...
There's no single magic thing that going to encourage more people to take up cycling. Fashion is a lot more frivolous than improvements to infrastructure, secure storage or finance schemes to help people buy bikes. But it's all going to help, is it not?
Well that strikes me as bullshit. Go to Italy and you'll see 20x the number of female cyclists in clothes ranging from practical cycling gear to very smart dress wear. They don't seem to have any issue with not having the right clothes and they are if anything, far more fashion conscious than us on the whole.
As others above have said it's combination of laziness and the perception that cycling is a lower form of transport. Most women I know would baulk at the idea of walking a mile. They need to be lifted and laid wherever they go.
I was lucky enough this weekend to be riding with half a dozen sassy, stylish and very fit women. I wish these journos would do a bit of serious research and present some real-life role models and that might encourage more people to get on their bikes.
I think there is def a need for less 'sporty' cycling gear as Rudeboy says. But lot of 'womens' designs seem to go the other way, and plaster huge vomit inducing pink flowers all over it in an effort to make it more appealing.
However, by far the single biggest problem is traffic.
We've sorted the bike
We've sorted the kit
She still won't ride it, becuase she is petrified of the traffic. Not without reason either. I pretty much have to be there to hold her hand whenever we go ride, otherwise she would never use it.
The idea of her riding to work on a mixture of quiet roads and traffic-free shortcuts, on her own, is currently, completely unattractive to her.
No point setting out new retail opportunities aimed at women if there aren't enough of them taking up cycling in the first place.
Clearly there's not going to be huge influx of committed female cycling enthusiasts as a result of this, but I don't think that's the point. Top Shop will be stocking this stuff as flag, to show they're with the whole 'cycling zeitgeist' thing, and to get some free publicity in articles like the one above! And that's OK, because in doing so, they're furthering the notion they're buying into; that cycling is somehow 'zeigeisty'.
I'm coming at this as someone who is interested in seeing cycling grow in the broadest sense, not just a particular specialisation like mountain biking or whatever my personal preference might be. And from that perspective, I see developments like this as quite encouraging. Not the answer to everything, but another step forward along the way.
🙂
One of the most cringe-worthy cycling articles I've ever read.
They seem to manage ok in other countries without cycling specific clothing.
[url] http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com [/url]
Well that strikes me as bullshit. Go to Italy and you'll see 20x the number of female cyclists in clothes ranging from practical to very smart. They don't seem to have any issue with not having the right clothes and they are if anything, far more fashion conscious than us on the whole.
That's because cycling is engrained in the national culture in Italy. We've got a long way to go before we can say that.
the article in question is on page 2 of G2 - the space usually reserved for some tongue in cheek article - don't be so quick to think it's all that serious.
Incidentally, did you see the comparison of cycle bags in the guardian last week? - might have been a misprint but the Rapha bag was actually the cheapest one they reviewed
Go to Italy and you'll see 20x the number of female cyclists in clothes ranging from practical to very smart. They don't seem to have any issue with not having the right clothes and they are if anything, far more fashion conscious than us on the whole.
That's undoubtedly true, but Italy has a far greater acceptance of cycling as part of it's culture. Are the same clothes available to Italian women available here? I know Prada do cycling gear, and I'd imagine there are probbly several Italian firms making stuff for their market.
Until quite recently, there hazzunt been the demand for women's cycling gear in the UK. And as for the functional stuff, well, a lot of it eveloved from other outdoorsy stuff, a lot of which is ****ing gopping.
Safety, image and practicality are all issues though.
And it don't rain as much in Italy...
I think there is def a need for less 'sporty' cycling gear as Rudeboy says.
You mean like normal clothes then... I very much doubt there is a shortage of style/colour/shape of various item of clothing for both men and women.
the article in question is on page 2 of G2 - the space usually reserved for some tongue in cheek article - don't be so quick to think it's all that serious.
Oh, the article's just lightweight filler, it's the idea of TS stocking clothes designed for cycling that caught my eye. I reckon if you'd taken that idea to their board even three years ago, you'd have been laughed out of the room!
I very much doubt there is a shortage of style/colour/shape of various item of clothing for both men and women.
i *need* shiny purple wellies for cycling to work in, size 12. where from? 😀
I agree with the traffic thing. Girls at work give it as their number one reason for not cycling. Blokes are a lot more confident on the road i think. Saw a girl get shouted at by a taxi in london a few weeks back and she was in tears.
The getting dirty and sweaty thing also applies though. My girlfriend was about to book a taxi to go to a friends house that was 3 miles away. She wouldn't cycle as she'd "just got dressed up". i didn't understand as i was just in jeans and shirt. apparently.
Have you [i]been[/i] in a women's clothing shop juan? Its isn't as easy as mating a top to some shorts ...
... oh and chamois short liners are a godsend.
Many women don't cycle on the roads because they view it as unsafe. They're right as well you now. It's damn dodgy out there during commuting hours.
This is very good news, well done Top Shop.
It is conspicuous that the picture of the bizarre Duffy accompanying the article appears to show her wearing normal clothes, and I suspect the same is true of every photograph of Agnes Deyn in existence.
🙂
I agree the traffic issue is by far one of the biggest barriers, but in a small way (and I do just mean a small way) things like this help. Anything that contributes to getting more people on bikes or even just presenting a more positive image of them, leads to greater awareness and acceptance of cycling and that makes the roads safer places for cyclists to be (and they're not nearly as dangerous as they're cracked up to be anyway).
That's why selling trendy pastel cycling caps to girlies in Top Shop is a good thing and compulsory helmet use in law is a bad thing.
(Worm anyone? I appear to have opened a can :wink:)
It is conspicuous that the picture of the bizarre Duffy accompanying the article appears to show her wearing normal clothes, and I suspect the same is true of every photograph of Agnes Deyn in existence.
Not sure I've ever seen a photo of Agyness? Deyn wearing what I'd describe as 'normal' clothes, but I take your point.
Have you been in a women's clothing shop juan?
Oh dear. I fear this thread is about to take a very worrying turn....... 😯
Well there was a lot of stylishy dressed women on the road ride I went on on Saturday, and also a considerable number at the HONC yesterday. IMHO decent cycling kit looks great on women 😉
I have also noticed a significant increase in the number of women commuting by bike in Bristol, and hopefully the Cycling City money will lead to initiatives to encourage more.
You are always going to get people, both male and female, who will not envisage anything other than using their car for every journey they make no matter how short.
Oh dear. I fear this thread is about to take a very worrying turn....... 😯
I'm mortally offended that you should choose to term my interest in cross dressing as [i]a wrong turn[/i]
😉
(Worm anyone? I appear to have opened a can :wink:)
You mean something like that 😉
[img] 
?v=0[/img]
Big worm or small feet?
I think we more cyclists (men and women).
is size 7 small???
BTW they are mine and it's some girls shoes 😉
What cheeses me off is that most cycle clothing, like most women's sporty clothing is cut for skinny waifs and shops (with the exception of evans - the bike shop people not outsize shop) never seem to stock the largest sizes.
Anything that promotes cycling for women in good in my eyes.
The problem with Britain is the weather, it's not uncommon to have 4 seasons in one day.
So setting off in your stylish cullottes to the park, may find them flapping around your thighs when the cold shower arrives.
I personally have always gone for the basic things like staying warm and comfortable ( no centre seams) in the saddle.
With a rucksack a must for even a short journey to a friends house.
I haven't read the article but surely any clothes are fine for cycling short distances? Certianly with a pair of padded shorts on underneath.
I have a g/f who is slowly getting into cycling and it is not the clothing that is stopping her, it is getting knocked off on the road and falling into a pool of mud/bramble bush/large tree.
There has been a discussion about this already on roadcyclinguk. As far as I can see most of the cyclodelic stuff is fluorescent bands, belts to hold you bike lock in, bags, caps (which personally I quite like) and raincapes. I don't have a problem with this as long, as Bunnyhop says, it encourages more ladies to get out on bikes. It isn't aimed at "sports" riders - more the day-to-day commuter and leisure cyclist. Wear what you feel comfortable in and just get out no matter what type of bike/riding you do.
Commuting cycling isn't actually terribly dangerous -its all the people telling others that it is.
Yes, you may have an accident, at some time, but the overall benefits are enormous, and all the weekend warriors on here with completely unrealistic risk appetites don't help.
FFS - as long as you can hold a straight line, manage to look over your shoulder without crossing the central white line and find somewhere to safely park your bike at the end you're pretty much going to be ok.
The problem is more the attitude of brits toward bikes and fashion if you ask me.
Whereas for one job in france it will be acceptable to wear a jean/docker and a jumper/shirt for the same job, for any obscure reason in the UK you WILL HAVE to wear a suit so that doesn't help.
Plus the average brit on car has the same attitudes towards bike that clarkson or the clarkson like I have here 🙁