the style edit: springtime cycle chic.

springtime in the city brings a direct correlation to the rising temperatures and increase in outdoor drinking. the propensity to skip workouts increases slightly while our attire decreases almost just as much. more calories less clothing more bikinis less time more beers… you know what all of that adds up to? a fucking problem. it’s a problem.

adopt a bike commute.

bring your workout into everyday to make more time for rosé, less time for worrying about the way you’ll look in your bikini, and that tiny added bonus of the complete euphoria that inevitably comes from riding a bicycle.

here’s how to do it and look completely cycle chic, and still arrive in style, no sweat… err, with minimal sweating.

although a basket is a great option, anything carried on your body needs to stay put on your back… which by no means means you need to sacrifice style. my favorites are here (for the budget biker!) or here for the biker who somehow i am always enviously following just behind.

no matter how hard headed you may be, a helmet is vitally important… and you know that you definitely aren’t going to wear one if it doesn’t look cool. i prefer to feel the bern (along with nearly everyone in the bk bike lane) but nutcase also makes a great one, that actually has holes big enough to slip your lock into (genius.) and of course you can always go this route but let’s not get too chic ok? protection, and a hard shield that defeats stubbornness, is all you need ultimately in a helmet.

i would love to save up for a public bike but that would mean riding around on $400 taken directly out of my travel fund… instead of opting for an expensive upgrade, add some flashy enhancements to your old chariot. like this nifty and functional bell and this cupholder  that is simple, sleek, and snuggly (just like you.) and allows me to stay loyal to my favorite coffee spot and take my iced cold brew with me over the bridge.

safe and stylish, these puppies will help reduce glare and (ideally!) prevent too much wind or lovely new york trash particles to fly into your eyes. i love nectars for their light stability and their birthplace or these persols, because i can pretend like i’m steve mcqueen when i reach the top speeds. as i am wont to do.

i often find myself wearing tennies and slipping some sandals into my pack, but opting for a solid slip-on or otherwise trendy tennis shoe (i get the odd feeling those aren’t hard to find these days…) saves you the trouble. i rely on these (which double as reflectors!) but i find myself pretending that they are actually these (no offense dudes.) but i have enough money to make them so outlandishly absurd.

depending on the level of intensity of your commute and the relative humidity and inclination of your trip, you will either be inclined to don a breathable and semi-professional getup, or perhaps athletic gear and a change of clothes might is your only option here. i go for for bright tanks and a tight pair of yoga pants (i haven’t quite gotten to the biker shorts stage yet… i have too many friends that i’m not ready to lose.)

if your commute is flat and you somehow don’t sweat much, opt for a breathable jumpsuit. why? well because jumpsuits are the answer to everything but in terms of biking, they’re loose and usually devoid of uncomfortable snaps. and ride effortlessly from the bike lane to the boardroom to the motherfucking cocktail hour. my favorite is here, from madewell.

you have three options here- charming, rustic, industrial. and those links contain your very best options. or, be mega hip and make your own with wooden crates from dobbin st co-op and a sturdy rack added by the fine folks at b’s bikes.

you’re gonna get hot. and sweaty. and while i never thought i would be someone who spent more than $10 on a water bottle, this puppy keeps water cold for (s)well over 24 hours. like, icey cold. and doesn’t sweat all over your stuff.

and of course, for your weekend bike adventures, never leave the house without a bota llena de rioja. (have i taught you nothing??)

ok, ok… i’m sure plenty of people will say that you don’t need makeup, you’re biking. and that’s fine. you don’t need makeup to do anything… but let me just say that when you’re wearing a hat that makes you look a bit like an alien bobblehead, let’s enhance our investments and make sure the moneymaker carries the weight. why? because. boys who bike are hott and i for one have made more than a date or two while sitting on a bike at an intersection. don’t waste this opportunity, but do simplify- all you need here is a swipe of bobbi brown concealer (with setting powder!), of course the infallible kat von D liquid hurricane-proof liner, and a generous helping (as always) of estee lauder sumptuous extreme mascara– built for speed, not comfort.

when you pull that helmet off in super-slow motion, letting your long locks cascade down your back… well, they’ll be sweaty. and limp. and simply not so fresh. toss a can of living proof perfect hair day dry shampoo, which is hands down the best in the market. trust me. i haven’t washed-washed my hair in months. (kidding. but, it’s been a hell of a lot less frequent than it used to be.)

i also clip a few metal alligator clips into a tight bun so my hair stays out of my face, but keeps a bit of body to it when i arrive. in north bk, get these (and all other beauty needs) at Zoe’s Beauty, on greepoint ave.