The Rise Of Cycling
More than a passing fad, cycling has quickly developed into a way of life for many modern gents. A recent report by Mintel found an impressive 50 per cent of British men are now taking to their bikes on an almost daily basis, with London (53 per cent) the cycling capital of the nation.
Mintel forecasts that the bicycle market will grow a spectacular 23 per cent in the next five years, to reach £869m by 2017 – so it’s little wonder that brands and designers are now incorporating cycling specific pieces into their main collections or producing special ranges aimed at the style-conscious cyclist.
Quirky British heritage brand Ted Baker is the latest label to enter this growing sector, with the launch of their superb new ‘Raising the Handlebars’ collection…
Ted Raises The Handlebars
Based on classic Ted Baker fundamentals and innovative design details, Raising the Handlebars is a bespoke range of stylish cycling gear that refuses to sacrifice appearance over functionality.
Steering well clear of unflattering Lycra and bulky performance wear, the brand have produced a variety of well-cut, refined modern pieces that would slot seamlessly into any capsule wardrobe.
Comprising lightweight jackets, versatile tops and chino shorts/trousers in classic colour ways, the garments can be mixed and matched to create a wide range of looks that will adapt to any occasion.
This collection is designed to carry you effortlessly from your home, to the office, to the bar, and back again without requiring a change in clothes or sacrificing your meticulous style standards:
Collection Highlight: Shirting
The shirting in the range is a particular highlight, with styles constructed using a high percentage of Elastane for added stretch and comfort, as well as featuring an anti-bacterial finish to help keep odours at bay.
Available in both long- and short-sleeved designs, they come in a range of exclusive prints, which have been inspired by the mechanics of a bicycle, using cogs and chains links. On-trend and designed to make a stylish statement, they will have you effortlessly standing out from the rest of the commuters:
Key Piece: Jersey Blazer
For us, the hero piece has to be the jersey blazer (£195), with its beautiful on-trend light blue colouring, unstructured cut and textured finish.
Dress it up with the navy chinos and white Oxford shirt for dress-down Friday, switching for the beige trousers and stripe trim polo for weekend drinks in the city:
The Key Details
As you would expect from Ted, the finer details haven’t been neglected, with practical and aesthetic touches noticeable throughout.
Geometric motifs, bold colours and stitch eyelets show a keen eye for detail and current trends, while the collection’s style is matched by its substance found in reflective collars and cuffs, ventilation eyelets, hidden utility pockets, velcro trouser leg ties and robust fabric trims that provide further support/protection where needed:
The Anatomy Of A Well-Dressed Cyclist
To celebrate the launch of Raising the Handlebars, Ted Baker have produced a short video detailing the anatomy of a well-dressed cyclist.
Utilising pieces from the range, it explains the key features of the collection while giving you a feel for how the items look and perform while on the road:
Key Pieces
Below we have hand-picked some of our favourite pieces from the range:
- Ted Baker Bizznis Oxford Shirt
- Ted Baker Bikegeo Geometric Cog Print Shirt
- Ted Baker Bizznis Oxford Shirt
- Ted Baker Ryders Printed Collar Polo
- Ted Baker Hennbo Crew Neck Top
- Ted Baker Ohpant Chino Trousers
- Ted Baker Jackybo Lightweight Jacket
- Ted Baker Wizard Jersey Blazer
- Ted Baker Zipthru Zip Through Jersey Top
Final Word
The modern style-conscious gent will no longer sacrifice fashion for function – and with Ted’s new cycle-specific collection, they don’t have to. Created in partnership with cycling aficionados Wiggle, these pieces perform as good as they look, offering style and practicality in abundance.
You can shop Ted Baker’s Raising the Handlebars collection now online at TedBaker.com.
