Introduction

Arguably, after clothes, body image and physical appearance is the most important part of a man’s sartorial success. Fitness is quickly becoming an obsession for men of all ages; from jogging to football, the majority of individuals are hitting the gym regularly or even just hopping on a bike in an attempt to stay healthy and look their very best. And the way we get our exercise is having a dramatic effect on the way we dress.

Cycling is big business nowadays and it’s easy to see why: great for commuting, perfect for getting that all important exercise, fantastic for cruising around town and, for all of you interested in fixed-gear (fixies) or old school bikes, the ultimate fashion accessory.

Having recently rediscovered my passion for cycling, I’ve been peddling my trusty hipster chariot (fixie) around like there is no tomorrow. However, whilst two of my accessories have already been decided upon – my bike AND helmet – the issue of what to wear is still a bit of a sticking point. How can you maintain your ability to cycle safely, look good and stay cool all at the same time?

Hopefully this article will give you some ideas. But first, let’s start with a bit of health and safety…

First: Protect Your Head

Honestly, why anyone would even consider riding on open roads without a bike helmet is completely beyond me. For less than the price of a take-away pizza you can protect your head in case of a fall and potentially save your life. Anyone that rides on the road without a helmet is an idiot.

I know a lot of people don’t wear helmets because they think it makes them look silly. Firstly, it doesn’t matter if you look a bit silly, you’re just being sensible, and secondly, you don’t have to look silly because there are a wealth of helmets available that don’t make you look like you’re gearing up for the Tour de France.