We can agree that any important appointment involves paying attention to our appearance, to our look. Is there a more important appointment than that of a cyclist with their group? For us, very few things. That's why it's interesting to know the current trends and shine on the road bike like a pro. You must avoid at all costs letting your cycling reputation collapse. Whether or not you adopt these fashions is up to you. Showing off? Marketing? Partly, maybe, but we already know it's part of the game. The interesting thing is that your appearance expresses your personality and, above all, that you have a great time.
Environmentally Friendly Fashion
Cycling and sustainability are, or should be, two sides of the same coin. Nowadays, performance and environmental care are perfectly compatible. Get yourself sustainable garments: it's the best way to combine values and style on the bike. Brands like Rapha or MAAP have led this movement, but more and more are joining this trend, such as Velor Cycling.
They are not the cheapest, but they are the ones setting trends today. Now you can buy kits made of polyester from recycled plastic bottles, or nylon from fishing nets, or organic cotton. There are even brands that use bamboo or fibers derived from coffee. And all of this, with excellent quality and longevity levels.
There are brands that use bamboo or fibers derived from coffee in the design of their cycling kits.
In any case, when we talk about sustainable garments, we are not referring only to the manufacturing material. How they are made, how they are sold, how they are maintained and treated, and—of course—how they are recycled all count too. It is a circular process.
Change in Design Patterns
The diversification of cycling disciplines, the boom in women's cycling, the overall growth of our sport... Cycling fashion brands have taken note of the changes the sector is experiencing today. The result: an unprecedented range of patterns and designs. Today, tight-fitting second skin jerseys with extra-long sleeves and low collars are all the rage. Watch out: some models are especially tight at the waist, so they tend to exaggerate even the slightest excess body fat. A rising trend is the use of designs with geometric and abstract shapes. The goal is to seek depth and create volume or textures. A concept whose origin goes back to street sportswear from the 90s. Do you remember?
📺 As you can see in this video, Rapha's new Pro Team collection also goes for geometric patterns
You can try some geometric details on the pockets or on the sleeves. A few touches here and there can make a difference. If you adopt this style, choose plain black bib shorts, as well as socks and shoes in solid colors. It will be the ideal combination. And what about colors? The flashy ones are over. Today, the trend is towards ranges of grays and earthy tones in all their variants: muted reds, mustard yellows, dark greens... The idea is to ride elegantly within the peloton and to show off a top style, even when you stop for lunch on the route. Within this trend, retro-style jerseys have made a place for themselves among the purists. If you aspire to be one of them, your wardrobe should include garments of this type. The use of these pastel colors has its detractors. Some, thinking about safety, staunchly defend fluorescent colors. But it's true that some studies show that bright colors are not more visible; what really matters is color contrast. And lights, of course.
The new color trends are moving towards pastel and earthy tones.
For example: a black jersey, with a white helmet and white socks, creates a contrast that provides safety. And besides, it's trendy. Another strong trend today is the introduction of solid color contrasts. An example? A lime green sleeve on a plain military dark green jersey. In other words, it's about sprinkling in details that stand out, but are not the main feature. If you adopt this trend, avoid using more color in other parts of your kit. For example, the socks; these should be sober, and always white or black. Finally, a very pro trend is to wear a solid color base layer that contrasts with the color of the jersey. When you climb a mountain pass, unzip your jersey and you'll stand out in the group. Simply, top class.
Careful with the accessories
If bib shorts and jerseys are garments that define your style, accessories will give you that definitive touch of class you need. That's why they're so important. Possibly, socks are the most controversial. Gone are the days when we wore models that barely peeked above the shoes. Do you think long socks will make you hotter? It doesn't matter. Here, it's about being fashionable. 😁 Today, clearly, the trend is to wear mid-calf socks. We've gone from the 6 or 7 cm of the old days to models of 12 to 15 cm. It's not about wearing schoolboy socks, but about covering about a third of the calf. If you don't, your prestige as a cyclist will drop considerably. Now let's talk about shoes. As a rule, avoid colors other than white or black and, of course, always use boa-type closures. Forget about straps or any other adjustment system. Don't even think about wearing shoes with several shades. And don't make the mistake of buying them shiny, as they're extremely difficult to match. Always, matte. The use of textures is tolerable, but only if they're the same color. Try to get shoes with a low profile (well below the ankle bone). This way, your leg will look more streamlined.
Likewise, buy socks in a shade as close as possible to your shoes, so that both look like a single piece when seen from a distance. If you have a spectacular bike and want it to stand out, the ideal is black shoes with black socks. This way, they won't interfere with the field of vision and everyone will focus solely on your machine. If you're unsure between white and black shoes, choose the latter. White shoes require more care. They are more sensitive to dirt, and there's no more disheartening image than a cyclist with dirty shoes. Also, with black shoes you can also wear white socks, as long as they don't have any logos or horizontal stripes. Now there are many white socks that include the brand as a differentiated texture, without interfering with the color. In winter, you can even wear them over your long bib shorts. This will also give you a very professional look. Other accessories to consider: glasses and helmet. The glasses should be large and wraparound, and the frame should contrast with the rest of your kit. White is ideal. If you wear pastel-colored clothing, it will be much easier for you. As for the helmet, safety is the priority. But once that's settled, try to ensure the color matches your shoes. Therefore, go for a white helmet or very dark tones, tending towards black. Otherwise, it will conflict with your kit or the color of your bike. You know: when it comes to colors, less is more. The way you wear your helmet is also very important. Before leaving home, make sure you wear it straight and well-fitted. The straps should always be in place and with no excess strap hanging loose. And remember: the arms of the glasses should always go over the straps.
Classic Recommendations
In addition to current trends, you should keep in mind some red lines that go beyond fashion: true classics that a stylish cyclist should never overlook. Shall we recall a few? Of course, always keeping your legs shaved is essential. We're not talking about hygiene or comfort for massages... We're talking about pure and simple posing. Plus, shaved legs will let you show off that perfectly defined zebra-style cyclist tan line. When people see you, they'll all think, “Hey, here comes a real cyclist!” If your legs aren't perfectly shaved, avoid riding on the busiest routes. Is it possible to do a ride on a 14,000 euro S-Works Tarmac SL7 with legs hairier than a brown bear's? Nothing is impossible, but... Another thing. If you really want to look like a professional cyclist on the road, you must follow the 16-degree rule. An unwritten rule that says that unless the temperature is superior to 16 degrees Celsius, you should be careful to cover your whole body on the bike.
Another recommendation is to avoid professional team jerseys at all costs, no matter how much of a fan you are of the brand. Also, don’t even think about going out with a sleeveless jersey; unless you have biceps like Popeye and you want to show them off. As for the bib shorts, black should be the norm. The use of colors like navy blue or dark burgundy is also acceptable, as long as the combination with the jersey is perfect. However, stay away from white bib shorts: they get dirty easily and you’ll show more anatomy than necessary to your group ride companions. Especially when the garment gets damp with sweat. You know what we’re talking about, right? And finally. Underwear? Never. Bib shorts are designed for a perfect fit with your most sensitive areas. Adding an extra garment in between can cause chafing. And even if you don’t have a problem, wearing underwear is easily noticeable. Now it’s your turn, Tuvalumer. What do you think? Any suggestions to look even more pro on the bike?