Fashion Friday: My BikeStyle Momentum

What’s your bike style? When Momentum Magazine asked if they could profile me in their BikeStyle feature, that question was easy to answer: Southern girl feminine meets California active. What wasn’t so easy was quelling my anxiety about appearing in the magazine. But here I am. I’m honored they asked and happy I did it.

For a special fashion shoot with Momentum, I had to have a new dress. Boutique 4 came through again with a dress inspired by stained glass. Psst: Boutique 4 is participating in Bike to Shop Day again this year.

Momentum didn’t ask about riding in heels. They know it’s no big deal.

Deep V-necklines and bold necklaces are definitely an element of my style.

Basket or pannier? Both! Basket for my purse, pannier for my laptop.

For the rest of the profile, pick up Momentum’s May/June issue or read it online. So, what’s YOUR BikeStyle?

About Fashion Friday: Inspired by a 2011 Bike to Work Day challenge sponsored by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, this series highlights the broad range of “dress for the destination” bicycling fashions.

 

Fashion Friday: A Touch of Sparkle for After 5pm

Another cool winter day, another knit dress with heels and tights, topped by a poplin coat. My work uniform varies less than California weather, but when I have an after-work business event it’s time to sprinkle a little sparkle. A faux-vintage necklace and copper purse make basic brown stand out (but not too much).

Herringbone sweater tights and suede booties with a lightweight coat are warm enough here, even at night.

Creams and smoky light browns with antiqued metal make this necklace look older than its age.

Kidskin leather gloves and a rose-print scarf complete the look and guard against the late-night chill.

About Fashion Friday: Inspired by a 2011 Bike to Work Day challenge sponsored by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, this series highlights the broad range of “dress for the destination” bicycling fashions.

 

Fashion Weekend Edition: Springlike Garden Party

When you host a party in February in Northern California you never know what kind of weather you’ll get. Last year’s Wine, Women & Chocolate barely espcaped a winter rain storm, while this year it was sunny and unseasonably warm. A new knit dress in a spicy coral print was a perfect way to enjoy the springlike day.

I already have so many dresses, but I loved this one from Boutique 4, a Bike to Shop Day participating shop.

The knee-length A-line skirt is my favorite silhouette for biking. Full for movement but stays in place.

A deep surplice neckline compliments my curves frames a versatile white and gold multi-strand necklace.

My woven bike basket carries so much it is starting to break from the strain. Time to buy a new one!

I was too busy at the party to take many photos, but here’s a panorama of the group that rode together from the Caltrain station through downtown San Jose to the party in historic Naglee Park. If you have photos from the party, please send them to me at ladyfleur500@gmail.com. For higher resolution of the photo, Click here.

About Fashion Friday: Inspired by a 2011 Bike to Work Day challenge sponsored by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, this series highlights the broad range of “dress for the destination” bicycling fashions.

 

Fashion Weekend Edition: Kathy in Signature Teal

Add a little personal style and a mundane chore takes on a whole new attitude. For Kathy, that means rolling down to Ava’s Market in a cozy tunic sweater, slouch booties and a hat-style helmet, all in shades of teal. Her bike? A cruiser in teal of course. If you see a flash of teal ride by in Mountain View, it’s got to be Kathy.

Whether it’s for her three-bag weekly shopping or a quick stop on her way home from work, Kathy loves Ava’s Market for its custom service. It’s small enough to take requests for stocking items, and big enough to have a deli with a rotisserie. Her secret: call in the morning and they’ll have a roasted chicken ready for her at 6pm.

Kathy’s helmet is incognito under a hat with a silky sash, both in shades of teal.

Teal slouch boots are hard to come by. Wherever did she find them?

Even her bike earrings are teal. Not shown: the teal wisp in her silvery hair.

About Fashion Friday: Inspired by a 2011 Bike to Work Day challenge sponsored by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, this series highlights the broad range of “dress for the destination” bicycling fashions.

 

Fashion Weekend Edition: Holiday Party Pizzazz

The little black dress wins again. Why search for a new party dress when you can gussy up an old favorite with festive accessories? A peacock blue cropped jacket, a multi-strand jewel necklace and lace stockings turn basic black into a holiday delight. While you’re at it, gussy up your bike with some festive colored lights too.

Pointy-toe slingbacks in deep bronze are a fresh alternative to basic black.

A large draped collar makes the perfect frame for a showcase necklace.

A cross-body purse keeps essentials safely at hand at larger affairs.

About Fashion Friday: Inspired by a 2011 Bike to Work Day challenge sponsored by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, this series highlights the broad range of “dress for the destination” bicycling fashions.

 

Fashion Weekend Edition: Between the Rain Showers

A weekly forecast with a chance of rain every day doesn’t have to mean dressing in head-to-toe rain gear or putting away the bike until the sun comes back out. Between the showers is the perfect time to get a quick ride in, for errands or for fun, as long as you prepare for puddles and occasional sprinkles. A short trench coat covers the sprinkles, and tall boots and cropped pants protect from the puddles of dirty water. The sunny attitude about risking getting a little damp is completely up to you.

My bright yellow panniers, purse and helmet remind me of the yellow rain slickers popular when I was a kid.

Where fenders fail to keep my feet completely dry, inexpensive vinyl knee-high boots do the rest.

With the lower neckline on this coat, a lower neckline top stays dry in light rain and keeps me from overheating.

The trench coat’s pleated skirt is just full enough and just long enough to cover my backside from misty rain.

About Fashion Friday: Inspired by a 2011 Bike to Work Day challenge sponsored by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, this series highlights the broad range of “dress for the destination” bicycling fashions.

 

Fashion Friday: Deep Purple Evening Delights

The invitation specified “business casual, no jeans” but that doesn’t mean I can’t step in up a notch with a pretty cotton dress in deep purple, vintage jewelry, and snakeskin heels. It is a fundraising dinner for the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition at a hotel after all, not a crab feed at the church hall or chili cook-off in the park.

I’m sure I won’t be the only one dressed up for the occasion. With luck, I’ll snap a few red-carpet shots of partygoers so you can see that yes, even hardcore cyclists can shed their lycra and clean up good.

The snakeskin heels are the opposite of my mullet boots. Party in the front, business in the back.

Is it vintage or vintage-inspired? With this outfit it’s little of both. Can you tell which is which?

For the dark and cooler ride home, my satin coat and reflective belt from Vespertine do the trick.

About Fashion Friday: Inspired by a 2011 Bike to Work Day challenge sponsored by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, this series highlights the broad range of “dress for the destination” bicycling fashions.

 

Fashion Weekend Edition: Sunday in the Park

Back in the good old days, people worked hard six days a week while Sunday was a sacred day of rest: worship in the morning, and socializing and relaxation in the afternoon. City parks were a favorite destination to see and be seen while on a stroll, a picnic or at a concert. That meant Sunday-best dresses, pearls and gloves for the ladies, ties and coats for the gents, and straw hats all around to protect delicate faces from the sun.

On Sunday, September 21, we will be hosting a Sunday Soirée in San José with a city cruise and tea in St James Park, laid out in 1868 by Frederick Law Olmsted, America’s pioneer landscape architect. Come join us!

A gentleman isn’t properly dressed without a suit or sport coat.

Where an ascot necktie is too formal, a bow tie says sporty.

Don’t forget your hat like we almost did. A straw fedora is perfect for warm days.

Silk flowers and ribbon dress up a lady’s straw cloche hat.

Essential accessories: pearls and white gloves that go with everything.

A gathered skirt knee-length skirt allows for more active recreational pursuits.

About Fashion Friday: Inspired by a 2011 Bike to Work Day challenge sponsored by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, this series highlights the broad range of “dress for the destination” bicycling fashions.

 

Fashion Holiday Edition: Hard-Working Labor Day

During World War II in the Bay Area, they built Liberty ships. In Southern California, they built bomber aircraft. And where I’m from in Louisiana, they built the nimble landing craft that brought troops ashore on D-Day. Life isn’t always about pretty things. More often than not, it’s grit and grime that gets the job done.

In the United States, we honor the people who do the heavy lifting for hourly wages on Labor Day, the first Monday in September. The prosperity and well-being of our country relies on the strength of our workers.

Sturdy work boots, not prissy heels. Factory work ain’t no office job.

Roll up the sleeves, get dirty and get the job done. We can do it!

I don’t do all my wrenching, but changing pedals is no sweat.

About Fashion Friday: Inspired by a 2011 Bike to Work Day challenge sponsored by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, this series highlights the broad range of “dress for the destination” bicycling fashions.

 

Fashion Weekend Edition: Old School Roadie Style

With a classic road bike in lugged steel, lycra simply won’t do. A color-blocked jersey and basic black shorts evoke memories of aspiring young racers breaking away on the backroads in the heyday of the 10-speed.

The jersey hails from my husband’s bike club in Puerto Rico circa 1979, dug out of his closet along with Death Ride schwag from 1993. He rode all five passes on a Bridgestone RB-1 with 53/39 x 12-24 gearing. Ouch!

Covers with mesh inserts were a thing back in the early days of helmets in the 1990s. Saddle covers too.

Las Ruedas means wheels, and Ramey was the Air Force base where he was stationed for the Coast Guard.

As for the Chuck Taylor sneakers, aspiring young racers have to start somewhere.

About Fashion Friday: Inspired by a 2011 Bike to Work Day challenge sponsored by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, this series highlights the broad range of “dress for the destination” bicycling fashions.