Vulpine Cycling Clothing: Fit for Purpose

[Note: I'm sorry to report that Vulpine went into adminisration in May 2017.]

Vulpine is a British business making technical and stylish clothing for cyclists. I recently had the opportunity to ride with business owner, Nick Hussey and Designer, Eloise Adler. On a very chilly day we rode around Richmond Park, trying out some of their products and chatting about everything from cycling to photography.

I tried a mix of clothing, from the highly technical road-wear in their Chris Hoy range to the more relaxed commuter and daily wear such as my favourite, a British-made waxed Harrington jacket (shown middle above and below). All were perfectly designed and cut for the particular needs of the cyclist. Longer backs and arms, stretch where required, pockets in the right places and collars closable against the elements. They are well-made, comfortable and, layered with merino base layers, warm on a very chilly day.

Since the ride, Vulpine have introduced their spring/summer range and this includes a lightweight French worker's jacket (it's the jacket that's light, not the French worker) which Nick bravely wore on our ride and which looks stylish and practical. A perfect top for the casual ride or commute, this marks for Vulpine a future in less race-orientated cycling clothing. I haven't seen their new merino softshell cycling blazer, but this is the essence of the development of practical clothes that are wearable on the bike or off it in office or home. 

See Vulpine [I've removed this link as the company went into administration in May 2017] to browse and buy their wide range of styles and products.

A note about wearing a cycling helmet (for the cycle helmet police). I get comments on the wearing of cycle helmets every time I appear near a bike without one. I feel the choice whether to wear one is entirely personal. I always wear a helmet on the open road and usually do off-road. For this photoshoot we were on safe, quiet roads and I wanted to show Vulpine's products.

This feature was unsponsored. I received some clothing to try for the review, but all opinions expressed are my own.

Summer Jackets 6: Two from Oliver Sweeney

Oliver Sweeney is in my good books. Its use of an older model for the current spring/summer advertising campaign shows a creative, confident and cool approach to menswear. This is a brand that sees its clothes on men of whatever age and is not afraid to be open about that. I like its products and attitude and urge you to support them.

Oliver Sweeney Beaumont Redwood cotton blazer £295
Shirt, Dundas
Chinos, Spoke London
Egyptian cotton summer socks, Pantherella
Shoes, Cheaney

We were sent two jackets to try for this feature. A neatly-tailored cotton unlined blazer and a navy water-repellant cotton and polyacetate cycling jacket with reflective trim, action back and a number of details such as an attachment for a bike light; ideal for that ride across town for a meeting. Both were nicely-made and well-designed.

Try Oliver Sweeney's new store in Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London if you are visiting the capital. There's much to see, enhanced by delights like a bar, interesting collaborations and a display of vintage watches for sale.

Oliver Sweeney Langton navy cycle jacket £295
Jeans Made in England, Quantock
Trainers Made in England, Norman Walsh
Socks, Pantherella

Cycle jacket back detail

Suppliers

Oliver Sweeney
Dundas Shirts

Spoke London

Pantherella

Cheaney

Quantock

Norman Walsh

With infinite thanks to:

Styling - SartoriaLab

Photography - Nick Maroudias

This feature is not sponsored.

Shinola - American manufacture and style for sale in the UK

I came across Shinola recently for the first time when I saw images of some of their products on Instagram. Founded in 2011 in Detroit, Shinola sold only only in the US until September 2014 when it launched European e-commerce stores. It now has five such outlets around the world, with the last opening in London's Carnaby Street earlier in November. 

What attracted my attention was the interesting range of goods sold. Watches make up their largest sales, but they also sell leather goods, journals, bicycles and pet accessories. 

The emphasis is on bringing manufacturing back to the USA. Just as in Britain, there is a growing interest in reviving home production of luxury items. The watches, for example, are made in a new watch factory in Detroit. 

Good design is clearly at the heart of what they do, the products being attractive and practical. For more information on Shinola, and to browse their products, see the Shinola UK website here. 

I'm grateful to Shinola for their sponsorship of this post.

Mr Porter launches the Paul Smith 531 cycle range

Last week I attended the launch with Mr Porter of a new cycle range by Paul Smith. The collection is named 531 after the Reynolds-made steel alloy that has formed the heart of the machines of millions of cyclists, from racing champions to shoppers. Sir Paul Smith is, of course, well-known for his love of cycling, as can be seen in this video.

At the heart of the collection is the beautiful, black, minimalist, limited-edition (two only, according to the video) fixed gear bike, hand-made by Mercian from steel in their Derby-based workshop. The bike, accessories and clothes are aimed at the commuter/weekend cyclist, rather than the carbon fibre and Lycra crowd. The shirts and jackets are made from Ventile, a water-resistant cotton fabric with an interesting history, which I've documented here on the blog before. 

I had a close look at the collection. The bike (see detail image below), clothes and accessories are all beautifully-designed and made; as you'd expect. The orange and black colour scheme is superb. The presence of a watch in a cycling collection is a novel idea, but why not? It's a chronometer, so you can time your daily commute or ride to the cafe.

Prices range from £60 for the socks pack to £4995 for the bike. See Mr Porter.

As you'd expect from a leading frame builder, the lugwork and construction are immaculate

Meccanica - British-made cycling clothing

It's been good to see so much excellent British-made cycling clothing appearing over the last few years, previously dominated by foreign-made (but still very expensive) brands. Meccanica, based in Knutsford, Cheshire, is inspired by the current trend towards the retro, while retaining a very modern, casual look to their products.

I was sent a couple of items to try; both designed and made entirely in Britain. A basic polo and a merino wool cycling jersey, traditional in style. Both are made from outstanding quality materials, the cotton is thick and soft, while the merino is beautifully silky. Much attention has been paid to details such as logos, zips and pockets, and both items are suitable for casual wear on or off the bike.

Meccanica merino cycling jerseys and cotton polo

Meccanica recognise that everyone is different and cater for all sizes from small and slim up to 4XL while retaining a great cut and style.

See Meccanica's website for more information on their clothing and cycle products, including a range of bikes.

The Tweed Run 2014 - London's stylish cyclists on display

The Tweed Run took place yesterday in weather  hardly conducive to the wearing of tweed, a cloth more suited to the cold and drizzle of the grouse moor than a baking central London. However, over 500 cyclists persevered, looking very stylish in everything from tweed to cotton and linen and riding all sort of machines, from vintage to modern. The women stole the show for me, looking beautiful and elegant in fifties floral dresses or tweeds and breeches, riding elegant town bikes with baskets full of flowers.

Tweed cap from Cambridge Cycle Company

I wore the top half of my Susannah Hall suit, an old pair of Yorkshire-made cycling breeches, Cordings long socks, a Harris tweed tie and English-made Barker brogues. My Tweed Run was unfortunately curtailed by a recurrence of a wretched 11 day-old viral infection which saw me retire half way through. Hopefully I can return next year - it's a wonderful event for sartorialist and cyclist alike.

Ian Covey and his beautiful Roadster from his Vickers Bicycle Company. 
One day I hope to own one. My 1956 Claud Butler is in the foreground.

Tea was served at the first stop at The Guildhall - in proper cups and saucers of course.

This stylish couple was typical of the range of looks on the ride.

Mark Jones who is a cycling artist - to have your machine immortalised, see Velo Art.

Gemma's dad - and his beautiful and totally original Sunbeam machine.

Even woolly cycling jerseys put in an appearance, here with a gorgeous Cinelli

Straight out of WW2 - Woodbine and all.

The irrepressible Guy Hills of Dashing Tweeds.

Road Rags - merino bike wear made in England

As a keen cyclist, I look-out for British-made cycling clothing and accessories. I was therefore pleased to meet Mike Gore, who's behind Road Rags which produces merino wool cycling jerseys in England.

Mike kindly sent me a Smithfield top (pictured below) to try. Of soft dark grey merino, it features a pull-up neck, long sleeves with hand-warmer ends to them and a double thickness drop tail to keep you warm as you crouch down on the handlebars for more speed. I've found it ideal as the weather has (later than usual this year) turned chilly and it has become a favourite jersey.

Road Rags Smithfield top - and what lovely bikes!

Merino wool is superbly suited to cycling. The fibres absorb perspiration, moving it away through evaporation so that you stay cool in the warm. The coiled spring fibres trap heat from the body to keep you warm in the cold. I find also that it's less smelly in warm conditions than artificial fibres.

Road Rags offer several tops, for men and women. For town or longer rides, they have long and short sleeves; some with rear pockets for the more race or touring-oriented cyclist. They are beautifully made and the merino washes well and has enough stretch in it to be comfortable and well-fitted on and off your machine. See the Road Rags website here.

With thanks to Road Rags who supplied a jersey for this review.

This is Cambridge - British-made cycling caps

This is Cambridge specialises in cycling caps tailor-made in Cambridge. Inspired by the enthusiasm for cycling in one of Britain's greatest cycling towns, they produce a range of vintage style caps made from British tweeds and wool.

I was delighted when they sent me one to try. It is one of their new 'Sunday Best' caps, made from wool in West Yorkshire, lined and finished in red tape around the rim. Often cycling caps are made cheaply - these are beautifully made and finished to last.

I love this style. It makes me feel like an Edwardian cyclist jumping aboard his trusty machine for a spin in the countryside. Have a look at their website, shop and blog.

Grey Fox rides off wearing his new tweed cycling cap

H&M and Brick Lane Bikes collaborate on a cycle range

H&M has collaborated with London's Brick Lane Bikes to design a collection suitable for the urban cyclist. Available from today and comprising water repellent jackets and articulated blazers to vintage-inspired bike jerseys and caps, the 11-piece collection combines fashion with functionality. As you'll see from the video, it's marketed at the fixed/singlespeed city rider, but don't let that put you off a range that has some interesting and reasonably-priced (the jacket costs £39.99) products - you don't have to be a hipster.

[Edit - I popped into H&M Oxford Street to have a look. I was very impressed by quality and pricing - some good practical but stylish stuff. The retro style cycle jerseys have a real vintage look and feel, and the jacket is a must for anyone wanting a practical blazer to cycle in.]

The collection will be available in around 180 stores and on-line at H&M from today. Here's a video lookbook of the collection with further images below -

 

 

 

Hollywood Rides a Bike

Published earlier this year, Hollywood Rides a Bike - Cycling with the Stars fuses glamour and style with one of my favourite pastimes - cycling. Its photographs of stars on their bikes show how the sport need not necessarily involve sweat, Lycra and carbon fibre.

The book is a spin-off from Steven Rea's blog, Rides a Bike and it contains 125 colour and black and white images of the stars riding every sort of bike - well worth a read to get you riding in style.

And here are a couple of my favourites from the book and blog - all pictures are courtesy Rides a Bike.

Cycle Style by Horst A Friederichs - celebrating bicycle style and culture

I've talked before about the influence of cycling in my search for style as an older man. I've thought for a while that there's a gap in the market for a book celebrating the increasing diversity of cycle styles that there are in London. Cycle Style by Horst A Friederichs (recently published by Prestel) goes some way towards this filling this gap, celebrating the richness of London's 2012 cycle culture and reflecting the huge increase in bicycle use over the last five years or so.

I love this book as a record of the diversity of cycling style. As a source of ideas for the lycra-tired cyclist it's invaluable; tweed, wool, pretty floral frocks and smart suits can all look good worn on a suitable bicycle. The variety of machines used on our streets, modern and vintage, mass-produced and custom-built, is well covered. Although the book focuses on London, similar cyclists will be found in all the World's major cities.

My one reservation about this book is that the pictures are so carefully posed. I still feel the need for a more spontaneous street-photography-style record of a great city's cyclists. A photographer could stand for two hours anywhere in central London and fill a book with a fascinating record of a burgeoning culture; extemporaneous shots of cyclists in mid-journey, their hair, clothes and bikes not quite so tidy and shiny, would be an alternative and possibly truer reflection of our cycle style. However, I have no regrets about buying the book, which I will dip into whenever I need a cycling fix.