How To Dress As A Summer Cyclist

by Esther Adams

Photographed by Stephen Meisel, Vogue, February 2009

Now that summer’s almost here, and bikes are out in full force, how does a style maven dress when she chooses to move in the elements rather than simply sit in an air-conditioned vehicle? Vogue asks loyal cyclists Lily Cole, Agyness Deyn, Hanneli Mustaparta, and Pamela Love, for their tried-and-tested tips on how to pull together looks for pedaling through the city.

“I love it when women cycle in heels,” says Cole. The redhead beauty has been spotted in short vintage frocks whizzing around Cambridge University (where she’s currently studying art history) on a sleek black Pashley Guv’nor. “I mostly wear trainers or flip-flops,” she continues sheepishly, “but I’m thinking of experimenting with wedges—I have Ferragamo and Christian Louboutin versions.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, intrepid style blogger Mustaparta is another bike/heel advocate. And although she’s shrewd when it comes to her wheels—“I bought a really cheap Brentwood so I wouldn’t be worried it would get stolen!”—she throws caution to the wind when it comes to elevated footwear. “Biking makes it surprisingly easy to do a full day in Chloë Sevigny’s Opening Ceremony heels,” she says with a laugh. “Walking in them tires me out!”

Photo (from left): Hanneli Mustaparta; Geoffrey Robinson/Rex USA (Lily Cole); Stephen Lock/Rex USA (Agyness Deyn)

But perilous platforms don’t work for everyone. Brit model Deyn wouldn’t consider riding one of her three bikes—a road bike in New York, a Pashley Princess Sovereign in Manchester, and a Brompton in London—wearing anything other than her beloved Dr. Martens or gladiator sandals with her vintage frocks. And practical jewelry designer Pamela Love feels just as passionately about her sturdy lace-up boots and trusty Converse treads when it comes to mounting her Peugeot ten-speed: “If I know I am going to be on it, I’ll wear flats,” she confirms. “I don’t have room in my bag for heels, and I’d rather just be prepared.” That goes for dressing too, as Love swaps her long, bohemian dresses for super-soft Current/Elliott jean-shorts and Sophomore T-shirts. But Mustaparta finds a solution for every sartorial whim: “I wear whatever I like,” she says breezily. “In fact, I once tied a knot in the hem of a long summer dress to stop it from flowing into the brake and that worked fine.”

When it comes to accessories, for the most part, the girls advise keeping things simple. Says Cole: “I take a light sweater in case in gets chilly.” Love has her eyes on the Nick backpack by Jerome Dreyfuss; Mustaparta just bought a cute wicker bike basket at Adeline Adeline but wants to invest in a cupholder so she can drink iced tea en route. And Deyn, who’s been spotted in a sports-striped hardhat in New York, has one must: “Always wear a helmet!”

May 16, 2011 12:09 p.m

(Article via vogue.com)