From SFGate, more messenger vs. hipster ranting with a slew of fashion pix.
I'm all over the board on this one. The goofiest thing I ever wore was in the rain/snow, a set of 'pep boys' coveralls. Totally warm and waterproof, not exactly aero, but I looked like a ditchdigger. I would not have made anyone's messenger fashion article. Also, in Boston winters, I wore a vintage 60's high school 'letterman' jacket. The leather sleeves were great for the accidental pavement slide, and the felt body kept me as warm I needed to be. Other than that, I've been basically form over fashion, mostly depending on the weather. Cargo pants if I'm riding the ss 'cross bike in the city, because what's the point of dressing aero if you're spinning out at 15 mph, maybe a couple of layered shirts if it's cold. Cutoff spandex (hate those grippy cuffs) and a homecut wifebeater if I'm riding the fastbike in the heat, mostly because I hate biker tan lines. I generally skip gloves unless it's cold, though the 'cross bike gets gloves offroad regardless of temp, because a hard hit riding on the hoods can scalp your palms.
This article points out the inherent silliness in messenger vs. non-messenger fashion. Lots of things reflect authenticity (if it matters), but in my opinion, you prove it with your legs and your line, not your threads. The funny thing is, a bunch of these messengers unload on the 'hipsters' and their trendy bikes, but judging from the pictures, half of them ride brakeless, which is just as trendy and comes up short in the performance department imho. But I've ranted on that elsewhere.
