Style Scenario: The Work Bike Commute

What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. As the weather turns in friendlier directions, you start to see a lot more people out on their bikes, and some of you might have tuned up your rig and are now bike commuting to work. Assuming you work in an office where business casual rules, here’s an outfit you can bike AND work in.

The Blazer: L.E. Tailored Fit Regata Blazer – $148.50 w/ FRESH & 7540 ($198). Surprisingly nice. It’s a blazer that will work with you while maneuvering a bike. A wool/poly blend gives it stretch, and the barely-there butterfly lining in the back helps keep it flexible. It’s a blazer made for some activity, but will keep you looking sharp once you’re off your bike and at your desk.

The Shirt: J. Crew Factory SLIM Summerweight Shirt – $24.50. Instead of a thick OCBD, going with a summerweight shirt. A bike ride can obviously heat your body up quickly, so wearing lighter fabrics that will breath is key for cooling down once you’re indoors. The summerweight shirts from JCF are a light cotton, which will help out the cause.

The Pants: Old Navy Built-In Flex Ultimate Skinny Khakis – $32.99. Going grey here, which nine times out of ten looks better than a standard graham cracker shade of khaki. These are mostly cotton woven with a bit of spandex for some stretch, which will help when getting on to and off of the bike, and while pedaling. If you’ve got more meat on your legs, go with the slim fit instead of skinny. Still tapered below the ankle but won’t look painted on.

The Belt: Johnston & Murphy Leather Belt – $49.50. Well reviewed, allegedly solid quality leather, and it ships and returns free through Nordstrom.

The Watch: Timex Expedition Scout – $37.92. Inexpensive enough, good looking, and with a 50m water resistance, it can handle a rain shower or too if you get caught in a storm. Fabric strap won’t hold on to sweat stink like a leather band would.

The Shoes: Stacy Adams Prescott  Cap Toe Leather Lace Oxfords – $48.73 w/ SAVING3 ($90). Stacy Adams shoes can sometimes (okay, real often) be of questionable quality, but these things come highly reviewed on the JC Penney site. A basic cap toe oxford with a rubber sole for some grip.

The Sunglasses: Rayban RB4201 Aviator Sunglasses – $105. The rubber composition of the frames help keep them in place on your nose. Super lightweight too. Enough coverage that bugs & dust should stay out of your eyeballs. See a full review of these sunglasses here.

The Pant Strap: Portland Design Works Cufflink Leather Leg Strap – $19.69. Don’t wreck a good pair of pants getting a leg caught in your bike chain, covering it in grease. Yes there are cheaper leg straps out there, but the veg tanned leather is a nice touch.

The Panniers: Linus ‘The Office Bag’ – $79. Panniers are utilitarian, thus usually aren’t the most stylish of things. Not so with this bag that attaches to a rear bike rack. It can hold a laptop and a few other items. If you don’t want the weight of a laptop in a messenger bag or backpack, this is the way to go. Full review of ‘The Office Bag’ here.

The Helmet: Bern Morrison – $99.99. Or, just whatever brain bucket you prefer. The Bern Morrison is reasonably well ventilated, lower profile than most, and looks decent enough.

The Post Work Thirst Quencher Apparatus: Island Coast Designs Growler Muzzle – $52.84. Because riding a bike can make a guy thirsty.