One woman. Many bicycles. » Cycle Fashions

Fashion Friday: A Touch of Sparkle for After 5pm

ladyfleur — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 01:03:41 +0000

Another cool winter day, another knit dress with heels and tights, topped by a poplin coat. My work uniform varies less than California weather, but when I have an after-work business event it’s time to sprinkle a little sparkle. A faux-vintage necklace and copper purse make basic brown stand out (but not too much).

About Fashion Friday: Inspired by a 2011 Bike to Work Day challenge sponsored by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, this series highlights the broad range of “dress for the destination” bicycling fashions.

Fashion Weekend Edition: Springlike Garden Party

ladyfleur — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 17:18:48 +0000

When you host a party in February in Northern California you never know what kind of weather you’ll get. Last year’s Wine, Women & Chocolate barely espcaped a winter rain storm, while this year it was sunny and unseasonably warm. A new knit dress in a spicy coral print was a perfect way to enjoy the springlike day.

I already have so many dresses, but I loved this one from Boutique 4, a Bike to Shop Day participating shop.

I was too busy at the party to take many photos, but here’s a panorama of the group that rode together from the Caltrain station through downtown San Jose to the party in historic Naglee Park. If you have photos from the party, please send them to me at ladyfleur500@gmail.com. For higher resolution of the photo, Click here.

Fashion Weekend Edition: Kathy in Signature Teal

ladyfleur — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 17:20:01 +0000

Add a little personal style and a mundane chore takes on a whole new attitude. For Kathy, that means rolling down to Ava’s Market in a cozy tunic sweater, slouch booties and a hat-style helmet, all in shades of teal. Her bike? A cruiser in teal of course. If you see a flash of teal ride by in Mountain View, it’s got to be Kathy.

Whether it’s for her three-bag weekly shopping or a quick stop on her way home from work, Kathy loves Ava’s Market for its custom service. It’s small enough to take requests for stocking items, and big enough to have a deli with a rotisserie. Her secret: call in the morning and they’ll have a roasted chicken ready for her at 6pm.

Fashion Weekend Edition: Holiday Party Pizzazz

ladyfleur — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 17:31:43 +0000

The little black dress wins again. Why search for a new party dress when you can gussy up an old favorite with festive accessories? A peacock blue cropped jacket, a multi-strand jewel necklace and lace stockings turn basic black into a holiday delight. While you’re at it, gussy up your bike with some festive colored lights too.

Fashion Weekend Edition: Between the Rain Showers

ladyfleur — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 17:43:54 +0000

A weekly forecast with a chance of rain every day doesn’t have to mean dressing in head-to-toe rain gear or putting away the bike until the sun comes back out. Between the showers is the perfect time to get a quick ride in, for errands or for fun, as long as you prepare for puddles and occasional sprinkles. A short trench coat covers the sprinkles, and tall boots and cropped pants protect from the puddles of dirty water. The sunny attitude about risking getting a little damp is completely up to you.

My bright yellow panniers, purse and helmet remind me of the yellow rain slickers popular when I was a kid.

Fashion Friday: Deep Purple Evening Delights

ladyfleur — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 05:59:04 +0000

The invitation specified “business casual, no jeans” but that doesn’t mean I can’t step in up a notch with a pretty cotton dress in deep purple, vintage jewelry, and snakeskin heels. It is a fundraising dinner for the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition at a hotel after all, not a crab feed at the church hall or chili cook-off in the park.

I’m sure I won’t be the only one dressed up for the occasion. With luck, I’ll snap a few red-carpet shots of partygoers so you can see that yes, even hardcore cyclists can shed their lycra and clean up good.

Fashion Weekend Edition: Sunday in the Park

ladyfleur — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 16:26:14 +0000

Back in the good old days, people worked hard six days a week while Sunday was a sacred day of rest: worship in the morning, and socializing and relaxation in the afternoon. City parks were a favorite destination to see and be seen while on a stroll, a picnic or at a concert. That meant Sunday-best dresses, pearls and gloves for the ladies, ties and coats for the gents, and straw hats all around to protect delicate faces from the sun.

On Sunday, September 21, we will be hosting a Sunday Soirée in San José with a city cruise and tea in St James Park, laid out in 1868 by Frederick Law Olmsted, America’s pioneer landscape architect. Come join us!

Fashion Holiday Edition: Hard-Working Labor Day

ladyfleur — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:33:20 +0000

During World War II in the Bay Area, they built Liberty ships. In Southern California, they built bomber aircraft. And where I’m from in Louisiana, they built the nimble landing craft that brought troops ashore on D-Day. Life isn’t always about pretty things. More often than not, it’s grit and grime that gets the job done.

In the United States, we honor the people who do the heavy lifting for hourly wages on Labor Day, the first Monday in September. The prosperity and well-being of our country relies on the strength of our workers.

Fashion Weekend Edition: Old School Roadie Style

ladyfleur — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 16:38:46 +0000

With a classic road bike in lugged steel, lycra simply won’t do. A color-blocked jersey and basic black shorts evoke memories of aspiring young racers breaking away on the backroads in the heyday of the 10-speed.

The jersey hails from my husband’s bike club in Puerto Rico circa 1979, dug out of his closet along with Death Ride schwag from 1993. He rode all five passes on a Bridgestone RB-1 with 53/39 x 12-24 gearing. Ouch!

Fashion Friday: Hanging Loose in a T-Shirt Dress

ladyfleur — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 15:05:51 +0000

Summer casual gets even cooler when you skip the shorts and let your t-shirt go long. Nothing snug, nothing belted on this unassuming V-neck in marine blue that has just enough contour for a feminine silhouette. Toss on a pair of woven leather sandals, grab a poplin jacket and this easy ensemble can take you from after-work errands downtown to happy hour with friends outdoors on the patio on a long summer evening.

Called the Tomboy Dress because of its no-fuss styling and wearability, it comes in new colors every year.