Overcoming fear of lycra

[Venod]

The people I see out running all seem to be wearing appropriate (i.e. lycra) clothing

Most runners don't wear lycra.

 

[DRHysted]

Most runners don't wear lycra.

Just had a check and the items I've not cut the labels out of do list Lycra. So yep when running im wearing Lycra.
My compression stuff is so tight I do wear over shorts to stop being arrested. I also have a pair of arse flasher shorts, I'll let you guess why they're called that.

I wear Lycra when cycling because in my experience it is the most comfortable clothing to wear. I will not tell others what to wear, if asked I'll advise.
When running I wear what is comfortable, this just happens to be stuff which has been designed for running. Once again I will not tell others what to wear.

Outside of work I have no right to tell others what to or not to wear, it's up to them to wear what is right for them.
Try to never be embarrassed of your body, which is fine advice for someone who has always not been comfortable on their own skin, but now in my 4th decade I'm learning how to not give a damn about others.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Most runners don't wear lycra.

It is tight or figure hugging clothing anyway - What are the tights made of then? To be accurate cyclists kit isn't Lycra either. The fabric contains a usually small proportion of lycra or equivalent fibre.

 

[Venod]

What are the tights made of then?

Yes I forgot that Ron Hill Tracksters (other brands are available) probably do contain a small amount of lycra, I was thinking more of shorts and shirts.

 

[mjr]

It is tight or figure hugging clothing anyway - What are the tights made of then? To be accurate cyclists kit isn't Lycra either. The fabric contains a usually small proportion of lycra or equivalent fibre.

Most fun runners aren't wearing tights. Comfortable is the order of the day and figure-hugging ain't comfortable for many.

 

[freiston]

If you do not like wearing lycra then I suggest that you do not take up swimming.

FFS! Why do you think there are no alternatives?

 

[mjr]

If you do not like wearing lycra then I suggest that you do not take up swimming.

Why not? Thankfully, swim shorts have existed since I was young. But ISTR that people tend to get dressed even for poolside cafes.

 

[Lee_M]

Wear iy if you want or dont.
If I'm out with the club I wear it, if I'm popping into town on my ss I don't.

If people start to stare at your package stick your hand down your shorts and rearrange it - at least they'll have something ro watch

 

[screenman]

Why not? Thankfully, swim shorts have existed since I was young. But ISTR that people tend to get dressed even for poolside cafes.

What do swim shorts hang like when wet? How do you hide the belly overhang that stops some from wearing lycra. Personally Speedos with pride for my swimming as they fit the swimming I do, shorts are fine for a more leisurely splash around.

 

[double0jedi]

I always find the lycra very comfortable on the bike. I get into work from my commute dripping with sweat, and find that whilst riding the lycra deals with this very effectively. I have spent quite a bit on "normal" cycling clothing but have not yet found anything that works as well and is as comfortable. I really like the fact that a light shower or spot of rain isn't an issue when using it either, as I find it dries really quickly.

Ill be honest and say, not a fan of the look so much, I'm a big guy ( before I cycled, I was much bigger !!) so it's not that flattering but to be honest, don't really care what people think. I'm a middle-aged overweight man trying to improve on myself, if anyone wants to take the Mick for that....screw em! Wear what you feel comfortable in, if it doesn't feel right, don't wear it.

As for the package thing..... most of us ain't packing schlong like a 70's porn star anyway ! Just tell them it's cold out!

 

[swansonj]

Am I allowed to find it depressing (albeit predictable) the extent to which this thread has largely been conducted from the male perspective?

There are several posts that you start reading, thinking this could be a sensitive comment on body image, then discover about three quarters of the way through that no, it's all about penises.

 

[screenman]

I've read that in France swim shorts are banned, and wearing them will result in your being ejected from public swimming pools, which are strictly budgie smuggler only.

No problem for me there then.

 

[freiston]

I've read that in France swim shorts are banned, and wearing them will result in your being ejected from public swimming pools, which are strictly budgie smuggler only.

I was so intrigued by this that I looked it up - it seems that the rule is often applied by local municipalities and campsites etc. and that the rationale is "the swimwear rules are put in place for hygiene reasons. Our friends at Château de Boisson shed some light on this often confusing situation: “it is unlikely that men will wear tight-fitting swimwear other than at the pool area whereas swimming shorts and Bermuda shorts could arguably be worn all day long and the accumulated dirt and perspiration then all passes into the swimming pool if they then subsequently use the same shorts for bathing.” (pasted from https://www.canvasholidays.co.uk/blog/2015/04/06/the-rules-of-swimming-attire-in-france/ but echoed elsewhere).

 

[freiston]

Am I allowed to find it depressing (albeit predictable) the extent to which this thread has largely been conducted from the male perspective?

There are several posts that you start reading, thinking this could be a sensitive comment on body image, then discover about three quarters of the way through that no, it's all about penises.

To be fair, a few posts have mentioned body-image related factors other than penises and it's not all about penises. Until now, I hadn't mentioned them. My reasons given for not wearing skinny lycra clothing were about comfort and suitability. Saying that, however, I've still not come to terms with my 'middle-aged spread' and I don't feel comfortable providing the opportunity of unsolicited views of the outline of my 'meat & 2 veg' to the general public.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Am I allowed to find it depressing (albeit predictable) the extent to which this thread has largely been conducted from the male perspective?

Yo! female perspective here
The head to toe lycra look on a man makes me want to look the other way.
Not because of the (alleged) secret sock, jut because I don't like the spindly legs and the general skinniness: the cycling lycra really makes a slender man more slender.
Yeahbut, I hear you say, "I am fat".
No you're not, you may have a little beer belly, but you still have spindly legs, must go with the cycling.
I like the look of the mountain bikers
On saying that, wear whatever you like, I don't have to look.
For women it's different, of course, we look great whatever we wear on the bike
For me personally, I prefer ordinary vaguely sporty clothing, both on and off the bike.
I don't like wearing proper cycling shorts because the padding irritates me with its heat and sogginess, the grips dig into my chubbiness, the waist is always too big.
I don't like proper cycling tops because I think they smell fast, apart from the Polaris brand that smell a bit less.
Some folks can't abide tight clothing while riding, some can't abide loose clothing.
Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable, but if you're at odds with the image you're projecting, you will never feel comfortable!