Don and I took the bikes to see Edmonton Opera's Flying Dutchman by Wagner. I love Wagner! And they had the amazing Jason Howard and Susan Marie Pierson playing the leads - SO good.
I think the temperature was maybe... 2 above freezing? I wore my super wool tuxedo blazer and Burberry merino wool scarf to keep warm. Underneath is a strapless metallic tartan dress with bubble skirt from Zara. Shoes are Fornarina and hair piece is from Clerys in Dublin.
So we're unlocking our bikes afterward to ride home and these two girls walk by, one of them saying "Oh, I WISH I had ridden MY bike!" with total sarcasm. I replied, "It'll be warm as soon as I start pedaling" and she said, "Yeah, well I don't think my DRESS would do so well on a bike."
I hate comments like that. You know, the kind that aren't reasonable? First of all, she wasn't even wearing tights or anything, and she also had on open toe slides. If she's so fashion conscious, she should have taken into consideration her blaring lack of tan before leaving the house with black platform slides and bare feet sans pedicure. Goosebumps aren't really a fashion statement. Neither are patches of dry pink skin on unexfoliated calves.
Also, somebody who is wearing a black swishy A-line skirt in cotton jersey should not be telling me their dress can't handle a bike. A-lines are easier to bike in than pants. Cotton breathes and jersey is stretchy. Obviously she wasn't thinking nor does she likely have any experience with biking in a dress. I found it ironic that she would conclude herself too formal to be on a bike. Particularly when addressing me when I'm ON my bike!
It's this 'I don't even bother trying' attitude that bothers me the most. Just because it's chilly and the opera, someone who rides a bike is somehow sort of crazy? Ridiculous. And making a sarcastic comment insinuating how I'm stupid to ride my bike is lame. I know I know, she probably wasn't trying to be dumb. I guess my point is that most people in Edmonton have a dumb attitude towards biking in general. It's just little episodes like this where I'm reminded about how ignorant some people are.
Not everybody wants to sit in a line in their car for 15 minutes exiting a parking lot. And that's after walking at least 5 minutes to get to the car first. I think THAT is a monumental waste of time. Plus, if somebody is so concerned about looking pretty in a dress, there's no better way to show it off than riding past the chumps in the cars on the way home. Dresses & bikes forever!
18 comments:
What a weird comment to make...so highschool. Anyways, good for you for saying something to her. Your outfit looked great! I second your Bikes+Dresses forever!
Not bothering to try is a common thing in these parts too, and you get made fun of for trying. I was in Tokyo last month and everyone tries there and everyone looks great!
Although you broke down her shabby argument in terms of fashion (hah!) I thought of how RUDE it was of someone to even make such a remark - how nosy! People like that are just jealous, really.
On a different note, what a fun hair piece! I'm always so worried of biking with any head gear (e.g. hat, beret) for fear of it falling off and getting trampled.
Jeannie,
Yeah, I totally sort of tore her apart in my blogpost, but oh well, it's my blog! Plus, it's just lame that somebody is all "I'm looking too pretty to ride a dumb bike" when really... riding a bike in a dress isn't a big deal. And those of us who do it shouldn't be regarded as weird.
The hair thing is indeed fun! Easy way to dress up what is otherwise a boring pony tail. On the way home I put it in my basket, just in case the wind resistance was going to mess with it:) I'll wear hats that are cap like, but not my fedora for the same fears you have.
S**
Kathy,
Yes, my friend went to Japan and said the women on bikes are totally gorgeous! And instead of Alberta where people are all, "you wear HEELS?" she said over there EVERYBODY wears heels on bikes. Sigh.
S*
amazing!
you look so charming♥, you should have beyond the means of VIP bike parking for dresses and bikes!
looove the whole outfit.
xo.meli
I love your blog.
I think you looked gteat in your opera outfit. I would be afraid that my bike would be gone if I left it in the street at night, even locked up.
you went to the Flying Dutchman twice?
I rode my bike to the opera this weekend, too! But I was not nearly so chic. The 8 mile distance and strong, cold winds caused me to leave the fancy dress and Oma at home. There was a neon yellow ankle strap involved - it was not pretty. Next time I'll try to do better.
Love the blog!
Enjoying your blog and very impressed how you've made bicycle commuting a very effective part of your transportation needs.
Don't let the comments of the uninformed and uninvolved bring you down.
Taking your bike to the Opera just rocks!
Keep spinning and stay safe!
her comment didn't really sound like i'm too pretty to ride a dumb bike, but that riding a bike is dumb. i hate it when strangers make random negative comments.
it's cold in chicago, and i ride in a knee length H&M wool coat. i get some odd looks sometimes. i think it's pretty practical. it's warm, it's from H&M so it is relatively cheap. i think people are used to seeing bikers wearing sportier stuff.
m e l
thanks for the compliments, I thought you'd like the outfit!
S*
Heathet,
Yeah, I get scared too leaving my bike out at night. Especially after Don and I got our tires slashed that time. What a pain! But, I guess if my bike gets stolen I'll ride one of the other ones? I'd still be so sad:(
S*
ee,
Nope, just the once. I don't think I can do two Wagners in a row. Unless it was the ring. Then I'd do it out of principle!
S**
Dorothy,
You are hard core! My ride was only 10ish minutes max. And half of it was on this new bike path thing near my 'hood and not in traffic. I think riding the bike is the best style statement. And reflective stripes are 'bling' to say the least. Go girl!
S*
Justin,
Thanks for the support. Bike commuting is mega fun:) And yes, I do feel a smug sense of superiority thinking I am cooler than people because I don't drive everywhere all the time. It's just so wasteful!
S*
Ridonk,
Kudos! A coat that keeps you warm is a coat that keeps you warm. At least you didn't have to buy several specialty coats just for riding a bicycle. And it's cool if people want to wear performance outerwear... just that not all of us cyclists want to wear the super outdoor stuff all the time. People are probably secretly jealous that your coat is rad and you're on a bike. Hence the strange looks. Eat it up bystanders!
S*
I stumbled on your blog today and I love the premise. This post in particular is great. I totally agree that dresses and skirts are perfect for riding bicycles, and what better time to wear heels - you don't have to walk in them!
lisamarie,
Thanks for liking what you read! I absolutely agree about the heels, I can actually wear crazy shoes! And if I'm out all day and I'm afraid they're going to hurt, I always bring a pair of ballet flats in my basket/bag.
Cheers!
S*
Post a Comment