How To Dress For Cycling (And Still Look Good Doing It)

For those of us joining the two-wheel lockdown brigade.

cycling street style

by Natalie Hammond |
Updated on

Banana bread is so phase 1 of lockdown; now it's all about getting on a bike (and Instagramming about it, obviously). If you’ve recently joined the two-wheel community in bid to avoid public transport, or simply up your exercise, you might be wondering what on earth to wear.

Serious cyclists might swear by padded shorts (these give ‘hours of comfort’ in the saddle), but if you’re just peddling to the shops or to meet friends in the park, you might want to pull something slightly less heavy-duty out of the bag.

This could mean a ‘fashion’ pair of cycling shorts - searches have increased by a whooping 4000%, according to shopping app LIKEtoKNOW.it - or it could simply mean wearing something that won’t snag in your bike chain. Maxi dresses, wide-leg trousers and flappy trench coats are all off-limits. Instead, embrace knee-length shorts and skirts. Their hemlines won’t get caught in anything, and they’ll look mighty sharp paired with a collared jumper, a denim jacket and a pair of ballet pumps. Oh, and one non negotiable: don’t forget a helmet.

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Dressing For Cycling

Whistles, Hadley Linen Jumpsuit, £104.251 of 19

Whistles, Hadley Linen Jumpsuit, £104.25

Zara, Rustic Jumpsuit with Belt, £29.992 of 19

Zara, Rustic Jumpsuit with Belt, £29.99

Gap, Oversized Icon Denim Jacket, £50.993 of 19

Gap, Oversized Icon Denim Jacket, £50.99

Weekday, Maurice Bike Shorts, £184 of 19

Weekday, Maurice Bike Shorts, £18

COS, Drop Crotch Playsuit, £795 of 19

COS, Drop Crotch Playsuit, £79

Monki, Bermuda shorts, £256 of 19

Monki, Bermuda shorts, £25

Asos Design, plisse mini wrap dress in contrast ditsy floral print, £357 of 19

Asos Design, plisse mini wrap dress in contrast ditsy floral print, £35

& Other Stories, Voluminous Sleeve Romper, £758 of 19

& Other Stories, Voluminous Sleeve Romper, £75

French Connection, Brekhna Drape Bermuda Shorts, £309 of 19

French Connection, Brekhna Drape Bermuda Shorts, £30

Veja, V-12 Trainers, £10510 of 19

Veja, V-12 Trainers, £105

M&S Collection, Striped Wide Leg Culottes, £3511 of 19

M&S Collection, Striped Wide Leg Culottes, £35

Zara, Printed Dress With Belt, £29.9912 of 19

Zara, Printed Dress With Belt, £29.99

H&M, Denim shorts High Waist, £17.9913 of 19

H&M, Denim shorts High Waist, £17.99

Teva, Universal Sandals, £4014 of 19

Teva, Universal Sandals, £40

Arket, Denim Workwear Jacket, £7915 of 19

Arket, Denim Workwear Jacket, £79

Topshop, Black And White Seersucker Gingham Shorts, £2216 of 19

Topshop, Black And White Seersucker Gingham Shorts, £22

Mango, Esparto leather sandals, £35.9917 of 19

Mango, Esparto leather sandals, £35.99

Bershka, Floral print skirt, £19.9918 of 19

Bershka, Floral print skirt, £19.99

Girlfriend Collective, Bike stretch shorts, £4019 of 19

Girlfriend Collective, Bike stretch shorts, £40

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