Made of fine English gabardine for an even airer feel and superior drape, whilst giving up little if anything in toughness. The thread count is higher, the color is a rich olive brown, and the gusset is a tasteful champagne tone.
Wear these when you ride your Bruce Gordon/Alex Singer/Ignaz Schwinn to Chien Andalou for your weekly $200 oyster & Velveeta omelet.
Just one left--size 34 only! (If it is gone when you order it, we will immediately refund your payment.)
Olive. [more] [testimonials]
$175.00
| SORRY, SOLD OUT! |
Our elegant, bicycle-friendly knickers are made in Los Angeles in a fair-wage factory from 100% wool gabardine, and will be the most comfortable clothes you own.
Although the fabric feels light, our testers in Minnesota and Illinois have reported that they are comfortable in temperatures down to just over 20°F, and we have ourselves tested them in heat up to nearly 100°F. The wool transpires sweat better than synthetic so-called "wicking" materials, rarely (so far, for us, never) shows sweat-spotting, and does not hold body odors--you can wear these for several days of riding before you need to clean them.
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Care & Cleaning
The wool merchant who supplied the cloth said, emphatically and repeatedly, "dry clean only!," and so that is what's on the label. That said, wool gabardine existed long before solvent cleaning technology, and we have washed our fit samples using Kookaburra Woolwash (which we use ourselves), with no ill-effects except for a slight wrinkling which should press out with a cool iron. That said, you hand-wash these at your own risk. If you do so, drip-dry them only, preferably flat. They will shrink slightly when dry-cleaned or washed for the first time, and are sized slightly large to allow for this.
They are easy to carry around, and do not wrinkle even when rolled into a messenger bag or a Priority Mail envelope. Naturally, store them away from moths on those rare days when you won't want to be wearing them.
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Fit & Alteration
Like any other fine garment, these can be altered by any tailor and most dry cleaners. The back of the waistband has elastic, to allow for a comfortable riding position, and there is enough extra material in the main seam to let them out a half-size, or to take them in a full size. Sizes 36 and up have slightly larger legs and cuffs. These are not meant to be tights, so order the next size up if you're between sizes or built a bit fuller than average. Sizing is by US conventions. The cuffs have three buttons in case you have skinny calves. Or you can ride with them wide-open if it's really hot.
If you are over 6' 2"/188cm tall, these may be too short. Generally speaking, they work for those of you whose inseams are 34"/86.5cm or less. We plan to offer a tall folks' version eventually.
We have worn them for rides of up to 40 miles and were perfectly comfortable without padded shorts underneath; however, everyone's butt is different, and you can wear padded briefs, regular bike shorts, tights, or longjohns under them without upsetting the elegant fit.
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Read testimonials from satisfied customers. (Link will open in pop-up).
As always, feel free to send comments. Resellers, please visit our Wholesale Inquiries Page.
Photos by Gina Morey.