How long until cycling kit is retro-cool?

got a 1995? mapei bricobi top kicking around, don't see how it can ever be called cool though, subtle it is not.

If you've seen the GreenEdge story we put on the site this morning, that has an interesting spin on it.

Pay for peloton or podium membership, and not only will you get to ride with the pros, you'll also have replica GreenEdge kit to wear while you're doing it and it's yours to keep.

So, question is, if a ProTeam doesn't have an issue with it, why should anyone else?

I have a white sponsorless TDF jersey that I like, because it's quite subtle. There was also a special edition Bugginio(might have made that up??) WC jersey at the bikeshow that I nearly bought. Fairly discreet, but not sure if I'd have the balls to wear it.
As far as team kit goes, I think that's all fair game.

I reckon the kit of Omega Pharma Lotto from the 2011 season is going to be a keeper: worn by Gilbert to some stunning victories, and I think it looks super from an aesthetic point of view. Rather like the Rapha Pro CX kit...

I got offered 50quid for my 7-11 jersey last time I wore it.

But then, that is cool.

Hi Sam

I think if the kit has special meaning to you, then you should wear and not be bothered!

Not sure about the full matching kit thing though, as a parallel, I used to play a lot of 5-a-side and the blokes in the full matching replica kits - shirt, shorts and socks were either rubbish or tossers.

Andy

Reckon you can just about get away with it as they were a minor team, so there's no suggestion of glory hunting, and are no longer functioning... though ideally maybe it should stay in the drawer another year or so.

As for the idea that one can wear the maillot jaune, rainbow or other such jerseys... the only irony would be that the wearer thinks they are being cool while the rest of the world knows they are a tosspot.
It doesn't matter how you think you're wearing it - ironic, post-modern, retro-homage - you will rightly be considered a total douche.

National team jerseys are slightly different IMHO but may only be worn outside the country of origin, and by a person of that nationality.

@miffed I guess it depends on the club but most would have a smattering of Rapha kit in any club ride, so I wouldn't think it would be considered posing. Personally I'd be more likely to think that of someone wearing the Italian national champion's jersey, unless they were in fact Filippo Pozzato. And he's a bloody poser anyway.

I think niche cycling kit is always cool, agriturbel top would look ace and gives you the look of someone who knows the pro scene well. Team Sky and radio-shack esq kits are harder to pull off as it looks like you're just glory hunting (like wearing man united or Barcelona jerseys) so that's why I think there's a bit of stick that goes along with it.

I personally have a garmin jersey cause I love the team and a katusha black champion of Italy jersey which was a roubaix special cause I thought it was cool. Both of which I'd wear out with my cycling club. I also own rapha jerseys but im not wearing them until Im a familiar face and not accused of just being a poser.

J

Hmm. Well, there's street cool and there's cycling club cool and I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for them to be one and the same.

On the street, I wouldn't say that anyone wearing sports kit of any kind is 'cool' unless you are actually participating or supporting at an actual event or on the way there.

At the cycling club, any kit is 'cool' as long as it a) matches eg no Mapei tops with ONCE shots and b) isn't a current team unless you're in that team.

The collection and wearing of 'vintage' kit is surely one of the pleasures of going out riding with friends and as long as you have the chutzpah to carry it off you can even get away with wearing the 'Worlds' and 'Maillot Jaune' jerseys especially if ironic. eg I think I can get away with the spotty KOM jersey because I'm fat and crap on hills but a wiry, sun-tanned Spaniard couldn't unless he actually is Sammy Sanchez.

And, as notfastenough says, it's going to take some balls to wear GB kit in Manchester if you're not on the squad.

Will's Wheels on the A6 in Stockport was selling a load of Team GB kit quite cheaply earlier this year, I was tempted for a while but swerved it for the same reason you mentioned.

Could you imagine wearing it out and then being completely and utterly blitzed by some of the lads or girls from the cycling centre out on a run?

I often think that pro-kit is a bit gaudy anyway, but I do like the black/yellow livestrong kit - the one with the white arms. The only other branding is the Nike swoosh. I think the jersey and shorts with black arm/legwarmers looks cool, but somehow suspect it would be uncool when out with a club. Weird, isn't it?

There is an increasing amount of GB kit around, especially with the olympics coming up. I wouldn't dream of buying any, but that may be partially due to living in Manchester, where many cyclists have earned that stuff...

Last year for our wedding anniversary my kids bought my an HTC jersey.

The reasoning was that I had a Spesh bike, an HTC phone and Leyzne pump so the sponsor logos worked.

I will be wearing it again next year, although this might be more acceptable as there isn't a 'latest' version of the kit!