Army chic
Is camouflage a thing now? I’m seeing it all over the streets. This brunette pulls it off easily on her — wait, is that a KLM cruiser? Complete with bike rack? That’s pretty sweet. How did she get a hold of that ? Hmmmm.
by Meredith
Red Bike Sunday
I have a red bike, so I’m always on the look-out for fellow red-bike-lovers. These three hip ladies all look spring-tastic on their red bikes! Listening to music, sporting the bright green bike bell and yellow pants, thigh-highs, skirts and heels–nice. Keep riding those red bikes!
by Meredith
How to cycle like a Queen (or King!)
Yesterday was a whirlwind of parties all over the city and what was the best way to get there? By bike of course. How did you flaunt your flair on your bike? Here are six ways some Amsterdammers showed their orange pride.
1. With a hat
2. With a traveling party
3. Tagging along with a friend (and ‘flag’ your cheeks!)
4. Bike together and scarf your orange
5. Adorn yourself in a King’s robe
6. Proudly fly your flag!
by Meredith
Mohawks ride faster
There’s so much going on here. First of all, the mohawk. (No, it wasn’t just the wind). Awesome! Then the Louis bag. Classy. Bright blue jeans? Totally hot. Old school Nike’s. Yes, love it. Slick wheels–obvi. Should I expect anything less in the 9 Streets?!
I don’t think so.
by Meredith
Flirty Sunday
Flirt tip #17: Get a cute dog. And like a good-sized one (nothing against little dogs!). Put him in your bike basket. Roll up to cute blondes. Make them smile.
Now that’s a flirty Sunday.
by Meredith
Prowling Sunday
Aude is right! More fur is just what doctor ordered for these chilly winter days. I’m seeing so much fur around the city, aren’t you? Fur hoods, fur hats, fur scarves, fur mitts, fur boots–it’s everywhere! But it’s best worn by bike.
Meredith
All in fur
by Aude
Being cool while remaining warm is possible thanks to the perfect combination of fur coat and scarf!
Fixies and Vans
by Aude
This young man is pretty styled out with his red hot wheels, red bicycle chain and even red lock! If you look carefully, you can see he is carrying a Vans shopping bag. This reminds me of the cool guy I photographed a few months ago. As you can see below, he wore red Vans and was cycling on a white fixies.
So, Fixies and Vans seem to be the perfect match, right?
by Aude
Winter sales
by Aude
Little smile but large shopping bag, this girl is cycling back from town with just the ingredients you need to begin the week-eeeeeeend!
Pink Sunday
Two’s a company, but three’s never a crowd in my book! Especially if it involves parkas and pink bikes. Do you think it was planned?
Any new year’s resolutions out there? I’m still deciding between “learn Dutch” and “watch 80 movies from the 80s.” Tough choice. But in the meantime, what a fabulous winter day today. Or is this winter? The sun and 10-degree weather confuses my winter hibernation mode. Maybe the Dutch weather made a new year’s resolution: be more sunny and cheerful!
by Meredith
Leggy Sunday
Ok, Friday was the darkest and shortest day of the year–it’s looking up from here on out! Nothing better to brighten up your day with a little leg! Add some hi-tops and a Dutch bike, so chic. ♥
xoMeredith
Panthers in town
Maybe not as common as the green parka, but still the panther coat is quite popular this winter.
So don’t be afraid if you feel surrounded by them.. You are not a prey, although?!
by Aude
Cyclist of the Month: ‘Miss Fair Fashion’ Marieke
Meet ‘Miss fair fashion’ Marieke Eyskoot: her mission is to make fair fashion normal in the Netherlands. “For me fashion is a way to celebrate life. I love it! But it should also be nice for the people who make it. I can’t enjoy clothes that people made in terrible working conditions.” For many years people have asked Marieke where they can buy fair fashion, what to look out for when shopping, easy things they can do for a more ‘fair lifestyle’ and if a fair lifestyle isn’t too expensive? Those questions made Marieke decide to write the book ‘Talking Dress- Vertelt je alles over eerlijke kleding (en lifestyle)’ that was recently published.
‘Talking Dress’ is a guide –written in Dutch – to a fair lifestyle in the Netherlands and Belgium. The book shows you the way to your own fair fashion lifestyle. Ranging from shopping tips to DIY-tricks, from washing instructions to swapping ideas, from clothes to accessories, beauty products, food and even marriage: Talking Dress makes it easy (and fun!) to do good and look great at the same time.
We love Marieke’s book and know that she uses her bike every day, so we asked her for an interview. We met in the lovely fair lunchroom and boutique ‘Beter & Leuk’ on the Eerste Oosterparkstraat.
Marieke and her bike
“This interview is a tribute to my bike. I bought it second hand in 1996 for 100 guilders and I have cycled it daily through the streets of Amsterdam since then.” The frame is from 1967 and it is a classical black Gazelle Dutch bike. But after more than 40 years some essential parts can’t be repaired anymore. So Marieke has to get a new bike. The decision of which bike to get was an easy one; “A Roetz bike of course!” Roetz’ bikes are sustainable and fair bikes made in the Netherlands. (Read more about Roetz on our blog).
“I love to cycle and I use my bike every day, to go to my office, to meetings, to go out and to go for cycles in the weekend. I like to go fast on my bike. It is a great break every day to cycle in between the many meetings, phone calls and long hours behind a computer. The movement, the wind or sun and just being outside for a while make me feel relaxed. When I pass bridges I always slow down a bit, to enjoy the beautiful city and look at the water.”
“I can still clearly remember the moment I learned to cycle. I was with my father practising in the street where I grew up. I was cycling and he was running beside me, holding me. Suddenly I heard him quite far behind me shouting ‘I am not holding you anymore!’ and from that moment on, I could cycle on my own!”
Text by Joni – Pictures by Aude
Links
- Order Marieke’s book ’Talking Dress’ (19,95 euros, free shipment in the Netherlands).
- Marieke co-organises MINT, the fair fashion section of international fashion tradeshow Modefabriek
Double-up Sunday
The best way to get around Amsterdam on a Sunday? Hitchin’ a ride on the back of your friend’s bike. Backpacks in tow, these chicks ride in style, too.
by Meredith
Happy birthday to us!
Today our blog is 1 year old! Let’s celebrate it and choose the best picture of the year…all 4 of us (Joni, Else, Meredith and Aude) picked our 2 favorite pictures. Now it is your turn to choose your favorite one among our selection and enter the contest:
Father and son:
Sexy sunday:
Dreaming away:
Business man:
Good laugh:
Japanese scenery:
Opa:
Together:
Have you made your choice? Please let us know (comment below) or on facebook.
You may be the lucky one winning this saddle cover! There are 3 saddle covers to win, we will pick randomly 3 people who shared their choice with us..so don’t miss it, you have until Friday 21st december!
Pink Sunday
Gotta love this bright green bike and bright pink skirt! In the dark of winter, we need bright style like this to make our days last a little longer.
by Meredith
Mr. Sunday
Oh hello there, Mr. Sunday! Where are you pedaling off to with those goodies from de Bijenkorf and AH? Looking super chic in those yellow pants and that 5 o’clock shadow (not too bad for Movember).
by Meredith
Blonde Sunday
As these days are getting shorter and shorter, does it also seem like skirts and shorts are getting shorter and shorter, too?! Just another reminder that Amsterdammers cycle chic.
by Meredith
Fall colors in Amsterdam
One thing the Dutch love to talk about is the weather. I hear these conversations all day long. Such a lovely time of year in this city. The leaves of course are the highlight. All the oranges and yellows. Bring your layers though and get out your gloves: this is the time of year the weather can’t decide on anything.
I joined a local yoga studio and in one of the classes, the instructor spoke about the fall; that it’s a time to reflect inward and, like the trees, change your inner color, express yourself in a different way, and maybe think about shedding something you’ve been holding on to for a while. I’ve been thinking about that quite a bit because I can’t seem to pin something down. What could I let go of? Maybe I should be vegan again. Become a tea drinker. I don’t know. Maybe I’ll just think about it more and get back to you.
For now, I just looooove riding my bike in this city…
by Meredith
Racing in style
by Aude
The advantage of the ever populair fixies is that it allows you to cross town, while keeping style and speed to a maximum.
Add to this a scenery of typical Amsterdam canals and you are once more convinced of the fact that Amsterdam cycles chic!
“See you in a bit ;-)”
by Aude
Leaving the Amsterdam Fashion Institute, she is probably texting her friend: “See you in a bit 
” in front of her bike before cycling to him..
Cyclist of the Month – New Team Member Meredith
Aude: Where are you from?
Meredith: I am originally from the beautiful Central Coast of California. I first moved to Rotterdam in December 2010, when I just finished urban planning studies at UC Berkeley, and my husband was accepted to graduate school at Erasmus. Now we live in Amsterdam, since July ’12, and totally love it here.
Aude: How do find living in Amsterdam?
Meredith: Of course I dearly miss our friends and family, but our Dutch life is easy to love. I have totally fallen for this city; there’s always something to see, a new adventure every day, a gezellig café to try, and of course, riding a bicycle is so easy and so chic. On the side, I have my own photo blog about our life and travels here called Dutch Pancake.
Aude: Tell us the story about your bike.
Meredith: It was love at first site. I named her Rosa. She is a second-hand Batavus Old Dutch from a bike shop in the Pijp. I added the bike shelf thingie and a second-hand basket from my favorite vintage store on Vijzelstraat.
Aude: How did you find us and why?
Meredith: I met the guy behind Copenhagen Cycle Chic at an event at the Pakhuis and he introduced me to Joni. As an urban planner and cycling fiend (and photography enthusiast), it just seemed natural to be a part of this cycle chic movement. Any way I can promote cycling to the world–I’m in!
Aude: Well, welcome! We’re glad to have you join us!
Pictures of Meredith by Aude – Pictures of bike & text by Meredith
Sexy Sunday
Added benefit of cycling everyday: nice legs. Pairs perfectly with super short shorts, black tights, and studded booties.
Show it off ladies!
by Meredith
Cycle to the music!
Cyclists in Amsterdam do a lot on their bike; they eat their breakfast, drink a coffee and chat to a friend. But, what they maybe love the most, is to listen to their favourite music while cycling through Amsterdam’s streets. After a long day of work, it is their moment for themselves, they dream away, think about a great party they had, a new love in their lives or they carefully listen to the lyrics. Sometimes you hear them sing along, shake their hips when listening to latin sounds or move their hand following the rhythm of hip-hop beats. Big headphones are trendy and actually come in handy with the weather turning colder.
Text by Joni – Pictures by Aude
Did you know about our competition about Music & Bikes? You can win the coolest bell in Amsterdam, a Hotelfietsbel (Hotel Bike Bell), by posting your photo about Music & Bikes to our Facebook Wall or Flickr Group. Want to know more about the Hotelfietsbel? Read about it on our blog or on the Hotelfietsbel website.
