Urban Cycling Style for the City Commute

Whilst batting some ideas round with a client who'd recently signed up to my subscription service - he told me he'd been searching for clothes for people who ride bikes in cities & had discovered Rapha, a brand that not only do cycling clothes but office friendly ones too.

It reminded me of a previous blog post I'd written on this very thing, and I decided it was about time I did another updated post, as more and more people take to the cycle lanes. 

Here are some suggestions of brands who produce great urban cycling clothes that will be practical for your journey but won't look out of place once you've jumped off your bike and headed into the office.

Vulpine merino softshell cycling blazer - £290  Made from Swiss Schoeller softshell fabric, this blazer is water resistant, stretch, has reflective detailing in the vent at the back and a zipped inner pocket. Not only does it look great and have all those cycle friendly qualities but the pièce de résistance?  It's machine washable!

Rapha crew neck knit - £90 Rapha provides a whole host of options for the "City Rider", and one of my favourites is this crew neck knit. Made from merino wool, it features a mesh stitch on the back, a hi vis pink reflective yarn revealed when the double cuff is turned back and an invisible zipped pocket to the rear which is perfect for your valuables. This natty knit will take you seamlessly from bike to brunch or bar.

Muxu japanese denim slim fit ride jeans from Always Riding - £72 A good looking pair of jeans that you'll want to wear on or off your bike.....indeed some people seem to have got quite addicted in the reviews! And you can see why, they're made to be particularly comfortable - the fabric is stretch, the knees articulated, and the crotch area seam free. And in a smart indigo denim, they're a must-have for the rakish rider.

Huez Tempest bomber jacket £143 Question? What looks like a cool bomber jacket but is actually a fine piece of kit for your cycling commute? Answer - this jacket from Huez which is made from a completely waterproof and breathable fabric, has taped seams, zipped pockets and a unique Darklight reflective tape at the center back and side seams to keep you visible and safe.

Spoke Bulletproof chinos - £129 Nope, not actually bulletproof but definitely waterproof, stretch and breathable. With reflective taping in the inner seams and drop down pocket detail, they're a win win item for your cycling wardrobe.

Some other places worth a mention for urban cycling clothes are:

• Swrve - a US based company with a good selection of jeans and trousers (they ship to the UK & have UK stockists)

• Levi's - good old Levis have got in on the act with their cycle friendly "commuter collection"

• Café du Cycliste - a selection of city cycling clothes including smart shirts & chinos

• Misson Workshop - not strictly biking gear but "beautiful tailored apparel" made from performance fabrics.

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