The Evolution of Women’s Cycling Apparel: How SCODY Leads the Way

When you start to examine how far women’s sport, in general, has come, it is truly a feat to be proud of. However, uncovering the evolution of women’s cycling apparel is a trip through time that is certainly worth taking. 

At SCODY, we love to develop new products to support our female athletes, whether they cycle professionally or for pleasure, but it can be fun to look back on styles previously worn by the women who paved the way for equal sporting opportunities for us. 

Let’s look at the evolution of ladies' cycling kit from wool skirts to stylish technical jerseys!

Early 20th Century: Modesty and Practicality

If you thought it was tough fitting in a road ride during the Aussie summers, imagine doing it in a long wool skirt! Women prioritised modesty above everything else, including practicality, especially when it came to things like cycling. 

Women would wear heavy wool overskirts or dresses, often down to ankle length, which was not only tough to ride in but also a serious safety hazard! A skirt trapped in a bike chain would send you flying over the handlebars if you weren’t careful!

1950s-1960s: Introduction of Synthetic Fabrics

The early introduction of synthetic fabrics to the market at least made the cycling experience a little less warm for ladies. Cycling jerseys started to become a little bit more fitted, and materials like silk were introduced, making cycling kits more comfortable for both men and women. 

However, these early examples of cycling-specific garments lacked the gender-specific tailoring of modern cycling kits. Ladies' cycling jerseys have silicone grippers on the hips and strategically placed darts to keep your jersey in place even on the toughest rides.

1970s-1980s: Gender-Specific Designs Emerge

At the beginning of the 70s, we finally started to see some gender-specific design details emerge in cycling kits. 

Lycra and polyester blends of fabrics started to make their way into mainstream cycling kit designs, which improved the moisture-wicking qualities and flexibility of the cycling kit. We start to see more gender-specific jerseys available, which also help women feel more comfortable when cycling.

1990s: Performance and Aesthetics

Across all sportswear in the 90s, we have started to see massive developments in the technical side of things. Aerodynamics were being considered, and the functionality of the cycling kit was constantly being redeveloped. We started seeing more breathable materials in cycling kits, which really helped cyclists feel more comfortable, especially on longer rides. 

As more and more ladies started to take an interest in cycling, the designs began to get more vibrant and feminine. The classic bold colours of the 90s were embraced across women’s cycling kit, which, even now, has a certain retro charm many cyclists still enjoy.

2000s: Technological Integration

The advancements in cycling kits and technological fabrics done in the '90s continued to be built upon as we entered the naughties. Coolmax technology and dynamic mesh inserts started to become popular as they allowed athletes to feel more comfortable for longer, especially on long-distance rides. 

Custom fits, different styles of jerseys, and custom designs have started to become more popular. More recreational and semi-professional teams, as well as friendly local cycling clubs, became interested in designing their own custom kit for a sense of unity among team riders. 

Some areas even started their own women-only cycling clubs since so many ladies were taking their bikes to keep fit.

SCODY’s Contributions

Using over 25 years' worth of experience in the industry, SCODY continues to try to keep women’s cycling kits on the same level as the guys. 

SCODY is proud to produce a range of women’s cycling jerseys, women’s bibs, and women’s knicks, all with high-quality performance fabrics and designs made right here in Australia. We are also lucky enough to have a range designed by brilliant Australian Artists!

Modern Designs

SCODY are passionate about designing cycling kits with performance in mind. We feature:

●      Aerodynamic designs

●      Advanced materials

●      Tailored cuts for women

●      Stunning, unique designs

Supporting Athletes

We are confident in the high-quality women’s cycling kit that we produce since our test riders are all Australian athletes. We spend hours in all environments, including in the velodrome and on the road, to make sure our products are perfect in the places they are designed to be used in.

Sign Up and Earn Points

If you join our loyalty club, you can stock up on women’s cycling kits while earning points as you spend! Head on over to our loyalty sign-up page for more details!

Peddling for Progress

As more ladies continue to excel and enjoy professional sports, we will continue to see these incredible developments in sportswear. Through the determination of the women who take part in cycling and the innovation of companies like SCODY, more girls than ever are hopping on a bike and enjoying the freedom that comes with peddling down the street in the sunshine. Shop SCODY and help support even more development in women’s cycling kit today!