Cycling chic

By Nicola St John

Fresh from watching the peleton in the Tour de France, it’s only natural that cycling has become fashion’s latest accessory.

But before you ‘Yell for Cadel’, there’s more to cycling this season than a neon array of synthetics and razor-sharp calves. Forget helmet hair and chafing, designers are producing their own cycling couture, making it effortless to wear practical outfits while looking good.

The Sartolialist (aka Scoot Schuman) has devoted a whole section of his world-renowned fashion blog to lovely ladies pushing pedals. Levi’s has designed a line of “cycling clothes” for the upcoming summer collections “The Commuter”. And for those die-hard fashionistas, you could try and get your hands on the Chanel bike by Karl Lagerfeld. US$13,595 will buy you a lot of detailed, quilted leather seat, jeweled pant clips and inscribed saddlebag.

Philip Lim’s autumn/winter 2011 “look-book” Girls on Bikes features stylish girls cycling about effortlessly, exploring fleeting moments in urban cities. He mixes sport and luxe with beautiful tailored dresses and tuxedos in shades of soft rose, pistachio and grey.

It’s time to leave the sports geeks in the dust of their mountain bike trail and move on to something more sophisticated.

If you’d rather leave cycling in killer-heels while holding an umbrella in one hand to the professionals, perhaps think about investing in some trés chic and practical metallic or suede flats. Also keep your hands free and handlebars unencumbered with an across-the-body bag in this season’s luxurious leathers in amber, coral and camel tones.

You’ll be fit for the Avenue des Champs-Élysées before you can say “How do I fix a puncture?”