What to wear when biking to work

Now that I don't have to take my daughter to day care everyday I'd really like to bike to work from by home in Logan Square to the Loop as much as possible. Here's the thing, I don't want to change my clothes. I'm not going to keep a work wardrobe at the office, nor do I want to schlep to work with my clothes in a bag. I'd like to be able to ride to the office, roll down my pant leg, change my shoes and settle right in looking (and smelling) reasonably professional. Any suggestions (especially with regard to pants) would be much appreciated.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on August 19, 2009 at 4:22am
for women- light dresses with bike shorts works for me. or capris and a tank top in summer. fall black pants....I do it everyday, its pretty fun!!! Just make sure you take a rain coat and maybe even rain pants in case. I'm happy to meet up to show you examples of what works for me and what doesn't. a rack with a pannier helps too.
Permalink Reply by Duppie on August 19, 2009 at 4:30am
Sweating is something that differs from person to person. I sweat a lot, so there is no way that I can commute that kind of distance without getting sweaty. So I succumbed to changing clothes at work
On the other hand, there used to be guy at my work who commuted that distance in his work clothes and never showed any signs of sweating

The other question is: what defines professional for you? While you can definitely bike in work clothes -see previous responses- your clothes typically will show some wrinkles etc. It just depends whether that is acceptable.

Can I suggest you try your commute one Saturday morning? Once you get downtown look at yourself in a mirror and figure out whether it is acceptable by your standards.
Duppie
Permalink Reply by igz on August 19, 2009 at 5:00am
i think a few rides to work will help ya figure out what your needs are. all above suggestions are good.

i leave work shoes at work...that way i always have a fresh clean pair available...this was especially useful and necessary in winter. i dont keep a wardrobe at work, but keeping a spare shirt and/or pants just in case is a good idea. i've been caught in some weather, and bag got soaked through also...but i had a change of clothes available under the desk. sometimes you may sweat thru...ironically this happens when its cooler out because you find yourself bundling up, then working up that sweat. i find that when you do need to layer up, its best to pack the work clothes instead of wearing them in. dont forget to stash some deodorant in your desk drawer. if you will be wearing a helmet, keep a comb or brush handy as well.
Permalink Reply by Brendan Kevenides on August 19, 2009 at 5:36am
The silk t-shirt is a good thought. I have some for winter and I love them. I was thinking some sort of poly-blend pant that is treated for stain resistance. I really like the baby wipe idea too. I have plenty of those.

Thanks!

Brian Kennedy said:
For men: This is going to ramble a bit as things come to me. I used to ride to work on my bike in business casual when I lived closer to work. Now I change clothes when I get there. Assuming you have to do business casual, polyester slacks are the way to go, if you ask me. Contrary to some beliefs, you can look very professional in 100% polyester slacks. You can get them at JC Penney or Sears for about $40 on sale. Once again, chainlink, I'm not afraid to display my outlandish spending habits. Polyester doesn't wrinkle, wicks sweat, and you butt won't have seat wrinkles when you get to work.

Instead of wearing a cotton t-shirt under your button-up, you can get silk or polyester t-shirts. Target has a nice selection of polyester athletic shirts that are light enough to double as undergarments. I also highly recommend leg gaiters, as any amount of pant rolling isn't going to save you from the occasionaly interaction with standing water.

Also, don't forget to keep some baby wipes at work for those unavoidable days where you work up a bit of a lather while riding in to work. A strong headwind will make you work harder than you want to. You're also going to have to regulate speed on your ride. Keep it constant and easy so you don't work up a sweat. Also, a good set of fenders is a must. I think Planet Bike makes the best ones for commuters.

I can't recommend enough that you keep one emergency change of clothes at work for when your internal Tom Skilling gets caught off guard by a stray downpour...and it WILL happen. Getting wet on the way home is no biggie but it sucks to show up to work drenched. Rain gear is also a consideration. Told you I was going to ramble.
Permalink Reply by Natalie on August 19, 2009 at 10:53am
Someone mentioned a pannier--I find that most helpful if I'm riding in street clothes, because then my back doesn't get all sweaty from a backpack or messenger bag.
Permalink Reply by XV on August 19, 2009 at 11:57am
I like linen pants in the summer. + synthetic underwear that doesn't have a seam down your crack (my fav: ex officio ). I commuted in cotton boxers once and I couldn't stand it--got super humid and the seam kept hit some important-seeming nerves.
Permalink Reply by MVG on August 19, 2009 at 12:13pm
I wear whatever I'm going to wear that day, whether it's a pair of chinos and a button-down or a full suit. The only thing I might change are my shoes, although I sometimes ride in full suit and dress shoes as well.

If you don't want to sweat, ride slowly. It aint a race.

If you're worried about your pant leg, get a chain guard.

Millions of people ride every day in normal work clothes. Here are a few:
http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/
Permalink Reply by rb on August 19, 2009 at 1:39pm
I keep a pair of shoes at work, a nice fleece and a spare pair of socks. Other than that, I use a number of layers. The synthetics don't work as well for me. I usually have a cotton t shirt, A button down shirt of some sort, then depending on the temp, a layer of wool, and finally a shell. I bought a Patagonia shell coat a few years back and it has been worth its weight in gold. No matter how cold it gets, I add another layer underneath.

With layers, I have flexibility while @ the office. I can always remove a layer and put on the fleece during the colder months.
Permalink Reply by Sebastian Baptiste on August 19, 2009 at 3:41pm
Ride a Dutch (e.g. Gazelle, Electra) or English style (e.g. Raleigh) city bike, and you'll never have to wear any special clothes. Or you can outfit a US "comfort" bike with fenders etc. and you should be OK too.

Cheers
Permalink Reply by shar on August 19, 2009 at 3:44pm
its best to go naked
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on August 19, 2009 at 4:08pm
not all clothes wrinkle...

Duppie said:
Sweating is something that differs from person to person. I sweat a lot, so there is no way that I can commute that kind of distance without getting sweaty. So I succumbed to changing clothes at work
On the other hand, there used to be guy at my work who commuted that distance in his work clothes and never showed any signs of sweating

The other question is: what defines professional for you? While you can definitely bike in work clothes -see previous responses- your clothes typically will show some wrinkles etc. It just depends whether that is acceptable.

Can I suggest you try your commute one Saturday morning? Once you get downtown look at yourself in a mirror and figure out whether it is acceptable by your standards.
Duppie
Permalink Reply by Brendan Kevenides on August 20, 2009 at 3:22am
Now I like that idea. It would certainly keep all traffic the hell away from me;)

shar said:
its best to go naked

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