Categories: Accessories and GearKitLook Pro

The Tightness of Being

Diego Caccia demonstrates how to make tights work. Photo: Pedale.Forchetta

Sprezzatura. Leave it to the Italians to dedicate a word to trying to Look Fantastic without looking like you’re trying too hard. I’ve haven’t spent much time in Italy, but I automatically love a country where an entire nation holds aesthetics in the same high regard that I do. Not to mention their dedication to drinking espresso and wine. A bottle of wine at lunch? I can work with these people.

Sprezzatura for the Velominatus applies to every aspect of the sport; how we set up our bikes, our style and technique when riding, and how we select and wear our kit. Looking good in the summer isn’t very complicated; any fool can look good in short-sleeved kit adorned with tanned guns. Where things start getting tricky is when the cold and wet sets in and we need to add more kit to the equation. How does one control the chaos as leg warmers, long-sleeve jerseys, caps, gloves, rain jackets and overshoes are added to the mix?

The basic concepts have already been covered under the principles of wearing one’s Flandrian Best; always wear as little as possible, never wear an accoutrement below when a complimentary set is not worn above (i.e. no knee warmers without arm warmers), and never – under any circumstances – wear full-length leggings.

Which brings us to today’s lesson: how to wear full-length leggings and still look as Fantastic as possible. Sometimes it is simply too cold for three-quarters and there is no denying the Pro-ness of casually wandering about sipping a pre-ride espresso in sandals, full length leg warmers, and a long sleeve jersey – especially on a warm summer day. Sprezzatura is an art, and it should not be taken lightly.

The fundamental problem with leggings is that they make the guns amorphous; lots of fabric without any points of definition give the eyes nothing to focus on. If you have amazing calves (which I don’t) then you may be able to break up the monotony with your bodacious leg curves, but the rest of us are going to need some help.

Always go with leg warmers and not one-piece tights. The reason for this is simple: the legs of your shorts will provide the first visual delineation for the eyes to grab ahold of.
The leggings should also always have an elastic gripper around the ankle, not a stirrup. This is Cycling, not ballet. Better yet, the ankles should have a short zipper to ease pre-departure removal of said leggings and also to provide a little more delineation.
When it comes to materials, the more matte the better. In fact, I prefer wool. Thick materials are also handy, as they add some bulk and make the guns look less spindly. All good things.
Look for some leggings with good, thick seams. Again, this makes wool a strong candidate. Align the seams carefully to accentuate whatever curves your leggs can muster up, and make sure both legs are symmetrical. We are not savages.
Wear a contrasting color sock. White is preferable, of course, as demonstrated by Diego above but any color works so long as its not the same as the legging (which should obviously be black).

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

Chris says:

Mar 24 2015 at 6:29 am

@unversio

Defeet merino wool is awesome. Socks, gloves, knee warmers, arm warmers form the backbone of my winter riding. Also works perfectly well when wet.
Mike C says:

Mar 24 2015 at 6:30 am

I firmly believe in the rules and try to follow them when possible. However, as someone who has worked outdoors in weather most people couldn't begin to understand (Tugman, you're excluded here), staying warm has NO fashion rules.

I do agree that we should at least TRY to look our best while on the bike, but shouldn't we be out riding instead of foraging through our drawers and closets....

I've seen some pretty silly things worn to stay warm, but, the person was outside doing something instead of in front of the boob tube.
VeloSix says:

Mar 24 2015 at 6:52 am

@unversio

@VeloSix

@Dave

Another vote for socks under leg warmers. The line has to be drawn somewhere short of frostbite. Below 40 that means full coverage. Hate to admit it, but for long cold overcast or dark rides practical experience forces me to toe warmers (not visible of course) and shoe covers (smooth, tight well fitting ones). I have come back too many times not able to feel my toes.

Toes are critical. I can do less kit than many I ride with, but not for my feet. Woolies, heaters, covers, all winter…..

I’ve learned to forget about my toes and DeFeet woolie boolies make it easier.

Love the woolie boolies, and they do help, but apparently in temps that freeze liquids, my blood stops flowing past my ankles; without some added assistance from human ingenuity.
snowgeek says:

Mar 24 2015 at 7:07 am

Sprezzatura = Casually Deliberate

Q.E.D.
unversio says:

Mar 24 2015 at 8:26 am

@Chris

@unversio

Defeet merino wool is awesome. Socks, gloves, knee warmers, arm warmers form the backbone of my winter riding. Also works perfectly well when wet.

Swiftwick delivered some extremely thin and warm socks too -- durable as well.
frank says:

Mar 24 2015 at 8:39 am

@PeakInTwoYears

Another request that if full leg warmers are worn then socks be worn inside the leg warmers.

Then all Frank’s well-taken suggestions about the leg warmers can apply.

Always, although Diego Looks Fantastic, despite that obvious transgression.
Ron says:

Mar 24 2015 at 9:47 am

I sensed this piece was coming when you wrote about your exposed shins feeling as if they were being stung with needles in the Badass Within article. Your shins have done you in!

For me, and I'm blessed to be in a mild climate, I generally go with the Kneekers for really cold road rides and reserve the full leggings for CX riding.

Opening photo - I've been working on perfect my PRO mounting technique. Those guys make the leg swing and slide into the saddle look ace! Don't know how anyone can wear summer weight socks though in weather that requires a gilet and full leg warmers. My feet are far more sensitive to the cold than my shins or torso.
Ron says:

Mar 24 2015 at 9:55 am

1 pair of full tights and 2 pairs of bib knickers have been living in a box under my bed since I moved south four years ago. As soon as I buy my house this spring and make this Southern Living a confirmation, those things are being shown the door...

I've said it before, but one awesome thing about The Rules is that they simplify life. There are those early or late season rides when the weather and temps are borderline and you have trouble figuring out what the hell to wear. Then you recall The Rules and realize it's simple. No jackets, no tights, none of those bs neck warmers (futbol players and cyclists now in them?!), just the regular kit, with a gilet, arm warmers, leg warmers, maybe oversocks.

I did pick up some Sealskinz oversocks for rainy commutes. Boy oh boy, I look so much cooler than I did with the whole wheat bread bags.
Pete says:

Mar 24 2015 at 1:45 pm

White socks in winter? I guess your mum does your washing.
VeloVita says:

Mar 24 2015 at 1:47 pm

For the coldest weather I do own a pair of full windproof tights with stirrups, though they are never seem seeing that if its cold enough for them, its also cold enough to warrant shoe covers. Generally though I subscribe to the full length warmer with some embro under them as needed. I would never think to tuck them into my socks though. I'd rather go with a thin sock and then a thin shoe cover like the Defeet Slipstream.