Fashion Bloggers on Bikes

Posted in Daily Outfits, Fashion.

Don’t get me wrong. I love a good blogger-on-a-bike photo. The flowers in the basket, the cute floral dress, the whimsical filter on the image. I could dedicate an entire Pinterest board to my love of fashion bloggers on bikes. But despite my genuine joy at seeing yet another stylised Pashley, I do wonder just how practical it is to wear 4in clog heels and a maxi dress to ride a bike. Surely that pencil skirt is rather restrictive when pedalling? And I don’t think those curls would be quite so perfect after a steep hill climb in 20 degree heat with a plastic helmet squashing the life out of them. Hmmm.

vintage style bikes fashion blogger uk uk fashion blog

fashion blogger bike
Vintage Levi’s 501s cut into shorts by me, eBay | White tee, American Apparel | Sandals, Katie & Kelly (US) | Belt, Vintage | Bracelets, Forever 21 and H&M

This is what I wear to ride my bike. A white t-shirt, cut-off denims, flat sandals and, most importantly, a helmet. As much as I love to look at fashion bloggers in floral dresses on vintage bikes, hauling yourself up the hills of Leeds on a humid July day requires simple, breathable clothing that won’t blow into your face/get caught in the chain/stop the full extension of your legs. Y’know?

Do you ride a bike? What do you wear when you’re out cycling?

39 Comments

Sophie // Tomorrow at Dawn

oh gosh. I don’t know hot to ride a bike, but If i did and I had a bike it would be just like yours – super cute and with a basket!
I’m in love with your wrist jewelry! Neon Orange is amazing!

Sophie.

Reply
Pip ♥

When I do ride my bike (which to be honest isn’t as often as I’d like 🙁 ) I normally just wear what I’m wearing, I don’t really have a specific outfit. But if I know I’m going on a ride later that say I’m more likely to wear shorts or jeans, or maybe a midi flowy skirt that won’t get caught up if I’m being extra risky! I do love bike photos, but I think that they do seem a bit unpractical at times!

Pip x

Reply
Kiz1able

BRILLIANT LOL – have pondered many a time over the suitability of a ditsy floral dress n wedges whilst cycling myself! I always end up looking like i’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards ha ha ha and thats with shorts n a t-shirt too! 😀

Reply
Katie Frank

do you know what annoys me? when i go to blog and i see that blogger is wearing high heels, stay next to bike and write that she is biking and this is so stylish and cool. omg how fake is this!? i just hate this.

visit my blog and enter giveaway. you can win ralph lauren shirt.
http://coeursdefoxes.blogspot.com/

Reply
Jessica

I Love this post! I cycle around London a lot and often marvel at photos of women in Paris and Milan and even some real life people cycling round Shoreditch in amazing outfits looking completely nonplussed by the physical exersion and psychological stress of peddling on busy, city roads! I too just wear what I’m wearing, but this has the unfortunate side effect of arriving sweaty and gross to where-ever I’m going and needing a good 15mins, a glass of water and a sit down, before I’m functioning normally again. Thank you also for emphasis on the Helmet – they’re not flattering or sexy or fashionable but they are the only thing between you and a lorry’s wheel or the edge of the pavement and therefore pretty bloody important.

Sorry, this has turned into a bit of rant, but hurrah for showing the reality behind fashion bloggers on bikes and that it’s possible to still look cute and fashionable in a sensible and safe cycle outfit!

Reply
Laura

I have just purchased a Brompton (cue choirs of angels singing) and it is BEAUTIFUL. I’m about to move to Brussels and I’ve sold my car – the idea is to bike to work as often as I can. Eep. In my head, I’m going to look like one of those beautiful blogger girls with my silken locks streaming out behind me as I pedal effortlessly around town. In reality? Umm. We’ll see.

Reply
EilidhPie

I often ponder this myself – there is no way I’d be able to cycle with a maxi skirt on!! Completely agree with you, and you even manage to make a helmet look good! Xo

Reply
Hannindrome

I remember back in the day when massive flared jeans were cool… got them caught in the chain and definitely did not flash my bum :-/

Reply
Emma MacDonald

I often joke with my friends that the dutch blood in me makes it possible for me to ride a bike in almost any outfit. I have no qualms about riding a bike in a maxi skirt and platform heels, but I always, always wear a helmet. They aren’t designed to look cool, they’re designed to save your life. So frankly, I don’t care what I look like on my bike, as long as I get to my destination in one piece!

So pleased you’ve shown girlies that, despite wearing a helmet, you can still look cute on a bike!

Reply
Jen

Thanks Emma – it does infuriate me to see so many bloggers posing on bikes without even the hint of a helmet. They are so important!

Reply
sandra

Oh, now this is a topic close to my heart! I’ve cycle to work in London and I’m a definite believer in the Scandi cycle-in-your-normal-clothes school of thought. No lycra for me! Ballet flats are my bug-bear though. They just flip off my feet! And I definitely wear a helmet – I’ve got a great turquoise Bern one. It is possible to find cute helmets!

Reply
Sophie

Great biking clothes Jen! I’ll take it as my inspiration when I finally dig my bike out! Got to make the most of this lovely weather!
Sophie
x

Reply
daisyisarobot

Recently I have been wearing dresses but with black cycling shorts from Primark underneath so I’m not a flashing risk!

I ALWAYS wear flats & a helmet! I’ve also recently bought some fingerless gloves & it has made it much more comfortable on longer trips x

Reply
Jen

Will definitely be investing in some Primark cycling shorts – great idea! Maybe some fingerless gloves too! 🙂

Reply
LilyLipstick

Love this outfit. I do feel really envious when I see girls on bikes wearing a floral dress, heels and with a handbag in the basket but it definitely isn’t safe or practical! I have only ridden Boris bikes in London but I usually go for leggings, plimsoles and a loose shirt for my cycling look. x

Reply
Laila

Haha! When I know I’m going to be cycling to work (I only ever do it when there’s a v v slim possibility of rain) I always make sure I’m wearing trousers, or sometimes a knee length skirt – any shorter and you flash your knickers, any longer and it gets tangled!

Reply
Milly

I don’t ride a bike, but ‘situation inappropriate’ fashion always makes me laugh, despite how pretty it may be! x

Reply
the cake hunter

I got a bike a couple of months ago to start cycling to work. In my head I thought I’d look fantastic but in reality i look like an overgrown 10 year old with my helmet and backpack. Regardless, love the days I cycle in…no matter how sweaty and unattractive I am by the time I get to work.

Reply
The Robyn Diaries

Ahhh I love your bicycle! I cycle to and from work too and we have to wear an all black uniform so usually it is black leggings with leather panels and some sort of top or another. Did once attempt it with a mullet skirts and it was a nightmare! xx

Reply
Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]

I was just reminded of this phenomenon at the weekend when we bought eldest a new bike and I was drooling over a bike in Victoria Pendelton’s new range. It wasn’t all sporty as you’d imagine, but Pashley style, pale blue, leather seat, basket etc. Then I remembered I’d probably have to wear it with jeans and a cycle helmet and my fantasy bubble popped! I do really want a bike, but have nowhere to store one at the moment – who made yours, out of interest?

Reply
Jen

Hi Lakota, it’s a Probike City Discovery – http://bit.ly/zEpfMw. It was SO cheap compared to many other vintage-style bikes (I’m not paying £600+ for a Pashley!) and it’s much easier to ride than a genuine vintage bike. I’d definitely recommend it!

Reply
taffetaramblings

I love your bike with your satchel in the basket. Also that arm candy is amazing. I have a vintage Raleigh bike that I snagged from eBay at a bargain price, I am always on the look out for a nice helmet to wear with it (better than my standard grey one anyways). If anyone has any suggestions?

Reply
Ellomennopee

You read my mind. I was just planning a post on what to wear when cycling! If I don’t have too far to go (i.e a few kilometers) I just wear a pair of leggings under my dress and voila.

Reply
Marleen

I’m dutch and wear any outfit while riding a bike. Even heels or a maxi skirt, it’s not unsafe you just have to know what you’re doing.

Reply
S_S

AT LAST! An honest blogger on a bike! I cycle over 6miles to work and then back again and not just on roads: we’re talking uphill, downhill, through fields and on busy roads, there is nothing more frustrating than seeing all these ‘fashion’ people pretending to cycle in their fancy clothes! I have TRIED to cycle in the elusive whimsical maxi skirt only to get it caught in my train, I have tried to cycle in heels to which foot would slip off the peddles causing me to peddle nobble my shins, and there is nothing LESS attractive than getting your shoelaces caught in your bike! Jen, I think you look beautiful dressed the way your are AND a helmet is imperative – I get that they are UGLY, funnily enough they arent meant to be attractive, they are meant to save your life!

PHEW, Rant over!

It is so nice to see someone who looks amazing and natural – kudos to you!

Reply
Miss Iffa

I recently stumbled across your blog and I LOVE it! I love the layout to the content and everything in between! Your style is just impeccable and your blog is simply the epitome of perfection! I am your newest, most avid follower, I look forward to reading your future posts. I would love it if you could perhaps follow me back too? Have a lovely day!

Love from, MISSIFFA

Reply
Zoe

I really like your last photo! I think there are so many beautiful blogger bike photos but my main problem is that no-one is wearing a helmet!! I think everyone should really because some awful accidents can happen and you can get some really pretty bike helmets these days.

Reply
jessbuurman

In all picture you are looking so beauty stylish and your blog is so nice in favor of street fashion.Thank you so much for posting it!

Reply

Leave a comment