The downside of cycling to work to avoid the Tube? That hurried pre-meeting outfit change in the office bathroom when you realise you’ve forgotten to pack a bra.
But AI personal styling service Stitch Fix has a smarter solution to switching in and out of Lycra: a bespoke bike-to-boardroom wardrobe delivered direct to your door. Think cropped jeans that won’t snag in your chain and chic work dresses to rival Marianne’s cycling-decent sundress in Normal People (you know the scene).
The mail-order personal styling site launched its saddle-savvy fashion service last month as the capital pivots to commuting on two wheels, and it’s just the ticket for lazy Asos addicts like me. That shiny new Dutch bike and colour-coordinated helmet were just the first steps; now I need the pedal-friendly wardrobe to match.
Stitch Fix’s devil is in the detail.
The service is thorough with its questioning, opening with basic details such as bra size and hip-width and where I shop, to nitty-gritty preferences like which body parts I like to show off and hide (crucial for that post-work picnic date next week). Once you’ve filled out your profile, just let your stylist know your cyclewear preferences: colour-scheme (to match the new wheels, of course); sweat-count (no patches, please); office smart-scale (jeans only on Fridays). Stitch Fix’s expert stylist team will handle(bar) the rest — I received my bike-ready outfit bundle within days.
Impressively, the algorithm and Stitch Fix’s lead stylist Rich Simmons listened: my five-item “fix” included a selection of two tops (blue — tick — in linen for those sweaty summer evenings), a longer-sleeve for cooler commutes, stretchy cotton chinos, and a floral culotte jumpsuit that won’t billow up on gustier days. Simmons clearly thought of this. “I know practicality when cycling is important,” he tells me in my styling notes alongside two potential outfit suggestions.
“I picked the jumpsuit from Vero Moda in place of a dress.”
But what about those longer rides to Brockwell Park for post-work tennis? Simmons has thought of this, too. The final item, a long-sleeve crew neck from Only Play, can be paired with leggings or shorts and trainers for casual or weekend days (he’s included a leather backpack for sporty-chic inspiration). You certainly don’t get that on Asos — the mamils (middle-aged-men-in-lycra) have competition.
