A Few Words on Sporting Spandex

Care to join me in a quick triathlon cheer?

We wear spandex! Yes we do! We wear spandex; how ’bout you?

I realized the other day that I have an entire drawer dedicated to skintight shorts, tanks and jerseys. I couldn’t help but laugh because when I did my first triathlon (what was that? Eight years ago?), I couldn’t imagine racing in a kit like that, and I wouldn’t have even begun to consider slipping into a full spandex ensemble for a casual group bike ride. No way. Despite the fact that I was actually a few pounds slimmer at that point than I am today, it was just … uncomfortable. No, more than that. Intimidating. Scary. Unthinkable.

Cut to now, and you can find me spandexed out (and not batting an eye) a few times a week. When I go to the pool, I often don’t even bother to bring clothes to wear over my suit — a towel to keep my car seat from getting soaked will do the job. If I’m grabbing food with friends after a bike ride, I’m more concerned with bringing a credit card than a shirt with which to cover up. And when it comes to race day, I sport my fabulous FBG kit loud and proud for as long as I can.

So what’s changed? It’s not about the shape of my body — that’s fluctuated plenty over the last few years, and I’ve been fine in my tight workout gear at a variety of sizes. But there are two things I realize contribute greatly to my about-face: the situation and the actual item of clothing.

My confidence is definitely situational. I don’t bat an eye at wearing a skintight get up for any sort of cycling or triathlon event, but that doesn’t mean I’m likely to wear a clingy dress under which you can see the outline of my belly button. I’m comfortable in a spandex kit because it’s functional, plus, it’s kind of the norm for my sport. Even when I’m wearing it before and after my workout or race, it doesn’t faze me because I know I’m wearing it for a purpose. (That purpose is “being awesome,” obviously.)

Now, I won’t lie — material and fit has a lot to do with it. If you’re picturing the chintzy spandex that your second grade ballet leotard might’ve been made from, well, no wonder you’re not eager to sport it now. The items I love and wear frequently are made of quality material (meaning it’s thick enough to not show through but still breathes well) and are created with great attention to the cut and other details. Also, the stuff I strut around in is generally pretty cute.

Just to drive the point home, I’ve got to share a little bit about the latest kit to arrive on my doorstep. It’s from a brand-new company (seriously, the website is launching, like, right now!) called Lexi Miller, where textiles from Italy and Switzerland are made into fashion-forward cycling gear in the United States. I have the Corset Jersey ($175) and the Little Black Short ($170), and they’re both seriously great.

Cute, right? Kit courtesy of Lexi Miller

The details (like a v-shaped waistband that sits at my natural waist, slight compression through the legs, pinch-free grippers on the legs and sleeves to keep everything perfectly in place, and a little extra room through the shoulders/upper back) really made the kit stand out to me — I took it all out for a hot, sweaty bike ride and was super impressed with the breathability and how well every part of the kit stayed just where it needed to be. Plus, the pockets on the jersey are nice and roomy without being baggy when empty. And it offers major sun protection! Score!

Anyway, my drastic shift definitely made me chuckle, and it also got me wondering how other people feel about wearing skintight athletic gear.

Where do you stand? Do you wear whatever, whenever? Are you comfortable in spandex if the fit and the situation are right? Or do you fall squarely in the no THANK you camp? If I keep this up, I might be running around in a sports bra and shorts before you know it! —Kristen