As we gear up to re-enter society, there are a few things we should prepare ourselves for.
One of the key points of differentiation will be our commute. Most of us haven't set foot on the steaming sardine tin that is the Overground in months, and as we tiptoe our way back to normality, the prospect isn't becoming anymore alluring.
You could walk but, then again, do you have a death wish? You could get a cab but I mean, really? Or you could bring your aged bike out of retirement and - gulp - cycle to work.
The beauty of the Tube was that you could squeeze (and I really mean squeeze) into a carriage at rush hour wearing an outfit which would happily and stylishly transport you from desk to dusk, without a second thought. The mini kitten heel boots weren't an issue, nor were the floaty smock dresses.
However, if you plan on your new-and-improved commute taking the form of a bike; you need to consider your options very carefully.
Nobody's saying you need to re-mortgage your house to afford garb that'll make you look like the next Victoria Pendleton; all that's needed here is a simple re-think of your work wardrobe for once you return to the office. It's time to invest in some sartorial staples which will cater to your new commute while also not allowing your style points to slip once back in the fold.
So saddle up, these are the bike-friendly trends you need to know.
Boilersuits
Once the go-to of handymen and jailbirds alike, the boilersuit underwent a makeover on the spring/summer 2020 runways. London-based brands Rejina Pyo, Roksdana and House of Holland all churned out pastel iterations of the all-in-one and - call us crazy - but its practically crying out to be taken for a bike ride.
MC Overalls Light pink twill overalls, £150, buy now
Monki Khaki Boilersuit, £60, buy now
& Other Stories Asymmetrical Linen Blend Jumpsuit, £66, buy now
Bermuda shorts
Seen sloping down the SS20 catwalks of Bottega Veneta, Chloe and Givenchy was the resurrected eighties trend of the Bermuda short. Bermuda shorts are a hybrid of a tailored trouser and a short, which typically stop just above the knee and can be styled in a slew of different ways. Either wear with chunky sandals and a big blazer for a summer-ready office look or with minimal slingbacks and a slinky top for a higher octane ensemble (of course, carry these forms of footwear in your bike-friendly backpack.)
Topshop Black And White Houndstooth Bermuda Shorts, £31.50, buy now
Monki Bermuda Shorts, £25, buy now
ASOS DESIGN dad shorts in brown pinstripe, £20, buy now
XXL bags
Big bags were big news on the SS20 catwalks. The spring/summer 2020 catwalks were awash with some seriously XXL bags. Bottega Veneta, the Italian brand which any influencer worth their followers is sporting, churned out some very OTT totes during its Milan Fashion Week show in September, as did Giorgio Armani.
If a backpack's not really very 'you', then opt for an inflated satchel. Throw it over your shoulder / in your bike's basket and off you pedal!
Burberry Artie check cotton tote bag, £620, buy now
Kassl Editions Green Padded Tote, £250, buy now
Topshop BALI Black Slouchy Tote, £16, buy now
Loafers
Stacked loafers dominated the SS20 runways, most notably at Prada, Louis Vuitton and Lanvin. But forget it, if you think they'll work for a quick cycle during rush hour. Instead, look to their flat counterparts for an office-appropriate and bike-friendly shoe.
Reiss Moray Leather Tassel Loafers, £120, buy now
& Other Stories Round Toe Leather Loafer, £95, buy now
Dries van Noten Zebra-print crystal-embellished loafers, £495, buy now
