Twenty-first century dandyism: fancy Lycra® on two wheels

Abstract

In Australia, the popularity of road cycling has increased since the mid-2000s. A parallel phenomenon is the appearance of Lycra® outfits designed specifically for male cyclists, with changing styles in mind. This phenomenon is part of a global trend that fuses sport, leisure and a lifestyle that means being fit and strong, while simultaneously exhibiting masculinity through sartorial choices. These elements defined the original dandy in the Regency period. This article investigates a contemporary form of dandyism in Brisbane, Australia, whereby the male cyclist is concerned with ‘matching the bike with the outfit’. On the basis of evidence gathered through an analysis of websites that retail specialized cycling clothing, observations at riding events and a survey of cycling shops, I argue that the ubiquitous presence of cyclists on roads is a new iteration of dandyism that is loaded with signifiers relating to fashion history, sport, leisure and twenty-first-century masculine identities.

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