Kontact 

All matching kit:

TimothyH

Looks matter.

Always try to match, at least on the big charity rides.

For big rides my jersey, gloves and socks will match color. Brand doesn't matter as long as the color is the same or complimentary.


-Tim-

kbarch

Of course that's absurd, but then for all we know, maybe he wants to commit a fashion faux pas, but just doesn't want to go that far.

He's not asking anyone to make the choice for him, he's only asking whether there's something like a rule concerning a choice he might make. Depending on how the rule is explained, he may decide not to follow it. In contrast, there is no virtue in claiming independence from rules if one simply doesn't understand them; that's just ignorance. And even though the rules we're talking about only apply to our little game*, not the grand scheme of things, stubborn refusal to follow them is still recalcitrance.

That said, fashion faux pas are as benign a form of rebellion as any, I figure, so if someone needs some outlet for their urge to rebel, then by all means they should wear dorky, mis-matched kit.

*By the way, I don't mean to imply that Road Cycling is a ALL a game with rules that we're all supposed to follow all the time, but there is, without a doubt, A game of sorts to it, in which most of us participate.

woodcraft

I'm slightly embarrassed to wear matching kit.

Have club jersey & shorts, & also a couple of century ride kits

which I got free for volunteering.

The club outfit is actually pretty sharp looking,

but then I feel more obligated to follow traffic laws.

Otherwise try not to look too hideously mismatched but function comes first.

memebag

u235

You mean how you think you are presenting yourself to others. They may actually be perceiving something totally different or little to nothing at all. All I will ever determine solely from someones clothing is... what clothing they are wearing.

Doctor Morbius

This is about as important as wearing mismatched socks.

kbarch

Exactly. We can't control what other people make of their perceptions, but that doesn't mean we can't control the things available for them to perceive about us. We can give them better or worse things to work with.

u235

Every salesman I've worked with was clean cut, well spoken, and had a nice suit on. I've deduced that anyone with a nice suit on must be crooked and a scammer. The system is too easy to game.

For my biking and to kind of stay on topic. On any given day, I wear what I have that is clean, comfortable, based on the weather, available light, road or trail, or if I am stopping somewhere en route. It may or may not "match" but I can assure you it is not to purposely imply some type of statement. If I was going out to be judged by others, I'm not sure what someone would think on any given day. If I am going out to ride, it makes no difference to me. I guess if I don't care what I wear or care what others think about what I wear, it would be obvious to you and others that look for those things so it's all good in the end

gaucho777 

+1. Mixing brands as a faux pas has never crossed my mind. I keep it simple: Almost anything goes with white socks and black shorts.

Kontact 

I don't know if I've ever found a bike clothing brand whose jerseys fit as well as their shorts, or vice versa.

Does anyone here insist on wearing only Levi's shirts with their Levi's jeans?

Maelochs

I worry that there are people with such poor decision-making ability out on the road ways. At least they are on bikes.

Personally, I have chosen the Fat-Shaming option: I am so fat, that it is shameful that I make anyone look at me in spandex of Any color.

kbarch

Yes, all good in the end. Not that anyone pays much attention, but a choice of clean, comfortable, etc., is apparent, too. A choice doesn't have to be an intentional statement in order to be thoughtful like you say. But it would be just as foolish to not give some thought to the nature of the activity one is getting dressed for as it would be to worry about the statement one was making.

I can understand how some folks want to be inscrutable, and modesty is a good thing, but I just think it's funny how many guys are afraid to make any statement other than "I don't want you to think I worry about clothes" - won't wear a suit because they think it makes them look like a salesman, or won't wear matching kit because they think it makes them look like a poser - as if being a salesman or a poser was a bad thing, or as if they weren't salesmen or posers anyhow.

indyfabz

Is it truly a "kit" if it's not team or event-branded clothing?

Urymoto

just make sure the colors match and dont look like a clown (too many colors). what matters on the bike is looking good. The better you look, the better you actually are

tagaproject6

I am brutally handsome and I can get away with wearing pretty much anything. By brutal, I mean, I look like I got beat up with a set of battery cables.

CliffordK

You mean like choosing parts from two rival pro teams... like Movistar and Direct Energie?

Nachoman

I was so loud and mismatched the other week that when I one of my cycling buddies asked me if it was gay pride week. Nope. That's just how I roll.

canklecat

Doing it right...


Doing it wrong...

caloso

I have a Europhile teammate who one gave me a raft because I had installed Ultegra pedals on an otherwise all-Campy bike.

Iride01 

If you aren't getting paid to advertise, then why favor any one brand. Wear what you like in any combination. I tend to avoid buying things that have the brand imprinted on it as a major focus of the color and design. I even de-brand those that let me snip some threads and remove tags or embroidery.

seypat

I always go with the "sleeper" look. It helps draw less negative attention from Coal Rollers and drivers in general. Bright solid jersey, black shorts and black shoes. Whichever pair of socks are on top of the clean pile. Minimal logos if possible. Same for the bike. Make it look as ordinary as possible. If you try to stick out, you might get a Big Gulp or something else thrown at you. You might get it thrown at you anyway. Be friendly and courteous. Project a positive, neutral and unassuming appearance. You never know what kind of drivers you will encounter.

Maelochs

I like to wear my "My other ride is a coal-roller" t-shirt with a pictures of a jacked-up pick-up on the back ... and instead of a helmet I wear a cowboy hat.

Goes great with the spandex shorts.

wphamilton

I'm not sure what this means, matching or mismatched - seriously, colors? Logos? Black biking shorts match every color, right? If none of your "kit" has actual brands, is that a match or a miss?

I assume that race fit jerseys probably mis-match cargo shorts. Do shoes actually count if all your bikes have platform pedals, or is that automatically non-matching and you might as well give up on the whole concept?

TakingMyTime

I don't care what you wear and I'm not looking close enough to even notice.