Charleston Cycle Chic » Fashion

Want. This. Dress.

Kristin B. Walker — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:08:33 +0000

Salivating…who wants to make one? Maybe start a line of bicycle dresses made of vintage fabrics? Thanks Urban Weeds in Portland for catching this loveliness.

Courtesy of Urban Weeds

Beach Chic Bike

Kristin B. Walker — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:54:10 +0000

A reader of Charleston Cycle Chic sent this beautiful photo in of her beach bike! I love the story behind this – her husband pulled it from the neighbors trash and fixed it up for her! It goes to show you with just a little ‘umph’ you can turn someone else’s throw away into your very own little gem. Check out all the daisies…Did you know they are a symbol of childhood innocence? Perfect.

Seen around Town – Vintage Glamour & a Turquoise Dream

Kristin B. Walker — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:15:11 +0000

The Cycle Chic ladies are out in force. It seems like every day I see more and more loveliness on the streets of Charleston. Check out the latest additions to ‘Seen around Town’ – they are the object of my envy and admiration!

I do admit – I covet this woman’s sparkling handlebar streamers. Once, many moons ago, I owned a blue and white banana seat bike, with matching streamers that rustled in the wind. The love of them has stayed with me since, and I am thinking that perhaps they should become the new hot accessory – like earrings or a belt? There is something so joyful about them! I caught her pulling up to a party, dressed-to-the-nines (no spandex in sight!). Perfect example of Charleston Cycle Chic don’t you think?

Bobbi Jean Dulcie Fitzharris with her 1960 Flightliner - Wow!

As I was riding down King St one day, from a distance this delighful turquoise and white creation caught my eye and I screeched to a halt with my handy iPhone camera in hand. This is what I like to see – shopping on King St with your best friend by your side, especially when she is sporting impeccable whitewall tires. I heart whitewalls!

Kathleen Stewart with the vivacious Pearlanne

Mmmm…Bikes are like Dessert

Kristin B. Walker — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:23:31 +0000

Everytime I see a fabulous bike, I actually start salivating. I feel a yearning inside of me coupled with an “I want to have it all” kind of feeling. (Can anyone relate to this or am I just weird?)

It reminds me of how I feel about dessert. Oh glorious dessert.

So here is a small selection of bikes that caused my salivary glands to spring into action. I love them all for different reasons – but mostly because they are reminiscent of some of my favorite things.

This first one is a bit hard to see, but if you look closely it’s worth it. Check out the liquid chocolate color and the beautiful green. This bike made me think of a Creme de Menthe Brownie.

Creme de Menthe

This next one screams summer time fun to me and makes me want to have an Orange Creamsicle. She’s available to be had at the Charleston Bicycle Company on East Bay St. Say Hi to Jana!

Orange Creamsicle

This next little angel is just so pure. I’ve always been attracted to the all-white bike – it seems so sophisticated and of course, it goes with everything. Yes – my first thoughts when I saw her were Marshmallow Fluff, or even a light and fluffy Meringue. Delightful.

Marshmallow Fluff

So does your bike remind you of dessert? Send a picture in! I know someone out there has a Dulce de Leche or a Raspberry Sorbet….

So envious – a Cycle Chic Boutique in Dallas

Kristin B. Walker — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:52:57 +0000

Oh yes – I have been mulling the idea of a Cycle Chic Boutique over for quite some time – even come up with the style and colors for the inside (robin egg blue with white couches and big mirrors, walls of baskets and the ability to mix and match bikes and accessories with ease), have discussed the concept with my friends and local bike shop owners – the works. And while I don’t personally want to open a retail shop (too many things on my plate already) I WISH I WISH I WISH someone would take this on in Charleston! Check out Fleetwood Kit Kat’s bike boutique in Dallas, and be sure to read their blog for all the neat things they do or see this video from their local news station. Kudos!

Charleston Cycle Chic Leisure Ride #2 Pics posted!

Kristin B. Walker — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:27:14 +0000

Here’s a conglomeration of several people’s great photos of the June 24th Cycle Chic Ride. (Click the Flickr Photostream link) Thanks to Karen, Dustin, Kristy, and Traci for being shutterbugs! 35 men and women showed up dressed to the nines and showin’ off their rides. Around the town and back again, off to Fuel we went to enjoy a refreshing post-ride beverage. If anyone out there has more pics -send them in!

Flickr Photostream

And some of my favs….

Sully rides again!

The lovely Amelia is always Cycle Chic

Pinstripes and Bowties vs. Spandex

Palmetto trees go well with bike shadows

Haute Couture Bikes….I don’t know whether to laugh, cry or drool.

Kristin B. Walker — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:41:20 +0000

Really. I am drooling a bit because these bikes are GORGEOUS. While they go far beyond what a middle-of-the-road female like me can afford – it’s fun to look, and I am a big fan of anything that promotes bike love. Whether it’s completely over the top, or vintage ebay chic – I want ‘em all. Since you know…bikes are the new handbag.

This is a $3,420 Gucci honey. Look at all that red. It's smokin'!

A Fully-equipped Fendi for $9500. You get a fur pannier, leather encased lock and water bottle holder, a box and skirt guards. Whoa.

For a mere $4000 you can get an Hermes laquered stainless steel bike with signature orange leather

The Chanel starts at $12,000 and includes Chanel's signature quilted bag. Umm...

A $1200 Cynthia Rowley bike for a couple and their baby. I just love this one.

So ladies (and men they have male versions too) what do you think? Ridiculous?? Awe-inspiring? Tell me how you really feel.

If after careful internal examination, you decide you must have one of these luscious bikes to flaunt your outer fashionista, the Gucci Store in Charleston Place will probably order one up for you, or you can get a Cynthia Rowley bike at 341 King St. And I think some of them just went on sale for $299. Now THAT’S a price I can do.

Cycle Chic Ladies – seen around town

Kristin B. Walker — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:26:10 +0000

As I go about my daily business, biking, walking or just cafe-sitting, I always have my trusty IPhone camera ready to whip out a moment’s notice because you never know when a beautiful woman on a great bike is going to roll by. Here are a few recent examples of Charleston Cycle Chic in action. Note the bikes, note the outfits, note the lifestyle and the happy glow of a woman who knows she’s having fun.

Here's a mystery woman catching some rays and literature at Colonial Lake. I am diggin' her all-white bike, and the crispness of the green grass against her blue blanket. What more do you need on a sunny Southern day?

Kristy on her way to brunch with the in-laws (aren't they lucky?). Love the bright white and the cute wedge shoes. And of course, a great straw bike basket with an easy-to-access cup/water bottle holder. Nice.

Susan is the epitome of the Charleston Lifestyle. I caught her on the way back from an outdoor concert at CofC, happy to be outside on the move while her friends were still dealing with parking. Susan rides to work at MUSC on this little red and white cruiser. So proud!

More delightfulness for our baskets! Betty Basket Liners

Kristin B. Walker — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:25:22 +0000

A friend passed these on to me, and I found out, lucky us, that Mike’s Bikes right here in Charleston is a proud purveyor of them! (They are also the ones who carry the fab handlebar flowers which they donated to our ride) Not only are these liners beautiful and made with different colorful fabrics, but they also have built in pockets and a key ring, and then presto-chango, they turn into a handbag! I love accessories that make our lives easier….

Go to Mike’s Bikes on Coleman Blvd or Folly Rd, or check out the Betty Basket Liner website. Get your liner on!!