Fashion Weekend: Gold Rush Tough Classics

The only things tougher than the 49ers of the California Gold Rush were the leather boots, heavyweight denim jeans and other natural fibers they wore. What worked then works today for those headed to the hills, albeit at higher speeds on a Harley Davidson motorcycle, another tough American classic.

Clasic denim jeans made tougher by a space-age kevlar lining by Sliders.

Dick’s motorcycle jacket is made of hemp canvas by Joe Rocket.

A cobbler added a leather patch on his Ariat Roper boots for the bike’s shifter.

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: World Naked Bike Ride

Adam and Eve were happily naked in the Garden of Eden until they broke their sacred promise. Their bite of the forbidden fruit means that I, their descendent, am far too modest to ride my bike naked like the people who rode the World Naked Bike Ride in San Francisco today. But with a little photo editing, I’m there in spirit.

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 Bolder Blazer in Bouclé

The nubby weave of bouclé fabric elevates a classic double-breasted blazer to another dimension. Coco Chanel may have made bouclé famous with her timeless suits, but it’s the slim-cut jeans, swing top and stacked heel booties that make my cropped jacket perfect for a casual dinner out with the girls.

The rubber soles on these cropped riding boots stay put on my reversible SPD + flat pedals.

The jacket was a lucky find at a second-hand clothing store on ritzy Burlingame Avenue.

My faux wicker bag drew admiring glances from the ladies on the Avenue.

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: Country Lane Sportswear

It’s the weekend, time for the gentry to shed the confines of the city centre and escape to countryside retreats. Off with the tailored suits, on with the argyle sweaters and casual trousers. Topped with a flatcap from Goorin Bros, he’s ready to roll down the lane for a little fresh air or to meet a lady friend for boating on the lake.

It’s a classic look made contemporary by celebrities like Justin Timberlake and Brad Pitt.

The argyle sweater walked off the golf course and into fashion in the 1920s.

As a taller gent, the full break on Dick’s trousers is properly scaled.

The bicycle themed tie is not a classic, but a must-have novelty for the passionate cyclist.

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: Euro Style in the City by the Bay

Whether you’re cast as an extra in a video set across the Atlantic or nostalgic for that trip you took abroad, the answer starts with classic pieces in a neutral palette. Accent the look with sleek boots, wrap it all up with a big big scarf and hop on a Euro-style city bike and you’re there. Oh, and don’t forget the umbrella.

Before I chose this outfit, I reviewed my video of a busy street in Amsterdam to get the look down.

It was easy to look Euro with a bike from Denmark and a bag from Holland.

I saw a lot of neutral colors when I traveled to Paris and Amsterdam.

With a skirt this short, I don’t really need the dress guard on Juliett.

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: Menswear with Feminine Sensibility

Menswear styles on women jump ahead of the curve when cut specifically for the female figure. Slight adjustments make it her own: wider-legs on the pinstripe cuffed trousers, three quarter length sleeves on a slim fit pullover, and tuxedo pleats on the shirt, left free to peek out of the sweater’s deep v-neck.

While I prefer dresses, slim jeans or leggings on the bike, I do wear dress pants occasionally.

The clothes may be menswear-inspired, but the boulevard heels add subtle femininity.

The pleats started the day carefully tucked into the sweater, but soon erupted into ruffles.

The pants come oh-so-close to pooling on the ground. Higher heels next time?

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: Down with Corduroy

Today’s forecast: 45 degrees at 8:00 am, 62 at noon. A puffy down vest over simple knit top, corduroy mini-skirt over funky sweater tights, and Robin Hood boots are perfect for running errands on a fickle Saturday morning.

When the errands are further from home and the load is relatively light, I hop on Ginger, my touring bike.

The corduroy skirt pairs well with the heavy sweater tights and tall boots.

Well-placed stitching keeps the vest from looking too puffy.

Look, I’m wearing boots with flat heels!

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 Little Sizzle for the Drizzle

When the sky is gray, day after day, and rainstorms soften to drizzle, all you need to lift your spirits is an outfit with some sizzle. A trench coat in red, a zebra-print shirtdress and shiny black vinyl boots kept me dry, clean and comfy as I rolled through puddles on the river trail with a chorus of happy ducks as my soundtrack.

Wearing bold colors and strong patterns on a gray day makes everything a bit brighter.

Black vinyl boots wipe off much faster than wiping down my white bike.

A light raincoat and quick-drying gloves are all that’s needed for light rain.

A polka dot seat cover keeps my leather saddle dry and clean too.

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: True Navy Blue

Bored with weeks of frosty mornings and wool sweater dresses, I threw caution into the chilly wind and zipped off in this sleek navy blue sheath today. My heavy coat, tights and suede boots kept me comfy on the bike, despite the shorter hemline and sleeves on this versatile three season dress. How many days until Spring?

I associate navy blues with spring. This year a soft navy is the official Pantone Color for Spring 2013.

Note to self: When the tights go out of season, wear bike shorts underneath.

Shell jewelry says June, not January, but I don’t care.

Boots now, sandals later.

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: Snakeskin & Suede

Who says winter boots can’t be flashy AND practical? These fair beauties in snakeskin and suede bring cheer to a grey winter morning. They mix with a variety of palettes–browns, blacks, tans, bolds–but today it’s cream and gray all the way with a velveteen jacket and a double knit skirt. These boots will go far, just not in the rain.

Flashy new boots brought new excitement to an skirt and jacket purchased seasons ago.

A little longer, a little heavier, this skirt is one of my warmest.

I love the asymmetrical collar on this close-fitting velveteen jacket.

It’s like the mullet of boots: business in the front, party in the back.

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.