Hooniverse Asks- Do You Have Driving Attire?
We typically have clothes for specific activities – white shorts or skirt plus a white top for tennis, jodhpurs and a monocle for fox hunting, or a micro-speedo for laps at the Y – and driving is no exception. Oh sure, if you’re making a run to the store in the family crap wagon, you might just go as-is, wearing whatever you happen to have on at the moment, and of course what you wear underneath your clothes is your own business, you perv.
But what about when you go driving when the intent is to go driving? Do you have specific attire that makes the act all the more pleasurable or special? Piloti shoes are supposed to have been designed with not just heel to toe walking in mind, but also easing heel and toe in your car’s footwell. Driving gloves too are supposed to offer both an improved grip on wheel and shifter, and project the sense of unmitigated pretension, and they come in handy when one needs to challenge someone to a duel.
Those are the most common driving-for-fun accouterments, and of course should your fun time on the road lean more towards cruising on two wheels there’s tons of others, including dead cow chaps, toe protectors, and vests with tassels, a particular favorite of mine. So, when you go for a joy ride – in your own car or on your bike – do you dress for the occasion?
Image source: [grandprixlegends.com]
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My driving attire consists of only mesh shorts really dark sunglasses and flip-flops. That way i can kick one off and go barefoot anytime i want.
I kid.
I have a pair of driving shoes, not that I need them, but they are nice to have. Most of my driving (outside of commuting on I-287 in NJ) is a distance drive (MI, IL, TN, MA, RI) so it's more about comfort than speed.
Especially on long summer trips, I really do like driving barefoot.
Why yes, I am from West Virginia.
I can't drive with flip-flops on. If I'm wearing flip-flops and am driving somewhere, the flip-flops come off and I drive barefoot. Nothing beats the pedal feel…
I try to make sure that I'm wearing pants.
This is about driving, not frying bacon.
Where the heck is Dearthair?
He just made a post over on AT. Evidently he's been job hunting. Is there a problem?
A post about the wearings of pants without Dearthair is like a day without coffee…
F**k sunshine.
Oh my, you're absolutely correct. I thought something was missing….
/He's obviously preoccupied.
I'll fill in… *clears throat*
Down with the twin tubes of tyranny! Something something pants! Something something something something something exclamation point!
/said in best Rick Moranis voice
(That is what he sounds like, isn't it?)
I think the problem was that The Professor said he is keeping his pants on. If he said "Everything but pants", then Dearthair would have popped in.
I follow Mom's advice and make sure I'm wearing clean underwear in case I'm in an accident.
But when you have an accident they are, by definition, no longer clean.
I have a skanky friend who says she always wears sexy underwear in case she gets in an accident and ends up with a cute doctor in the ER. What would he think of her if the paramedics had cut her clothes off to reveal…gasp…granny panties?
I think the bigger concern is whether or not she is hot…
That would be more important than attire…
Not that I can imagine any legitimate MD who practices medicine anyplace with an ethical standard prohibiting doctor-patient relationships would ever decide to ask someone out on a date based on the type of underwear she wore to the ER, but she was reasonably hot for her age (mid-50's perhaps).
… They don't seem to have an issue with popping out scrips for whoever has the hottest rep…
Nope, the only driving gear I own is my LeMons dictated safety gear (racing suit, Nomex undies, gloves, shoes, full face helmet, and neck brace). I'm actually going to replace some of it soon, as my Nomex undies are now way too large.
On the street if I'm driving hard, I actually prefer wearing my slightly wide soled "skater" shoes. The wider sole works better for heel and toe-ing, at least on my car.
I do swear by polarized sunglasses while driving, though.
Ditto with the polarized glasses. With thin frames.
I bought 2 pair of Pilotis- both were hard to toe-heel with.
Oxford dress shoes is what I practice on the on ramps for my commute.
I have driven HPDEs with dress shoes. All I need is pack of Pall Malls to go full redneck.
For the automobile, I have a pair of Piloti's.
For the bike, I go ATGATT. I don't plan on dying at the hand of Susie SUV and her two-ton murder machine while she texts, smacks her kids and eats a foot-long chili cheese dog. That is NOT how I am going out.
In spite of being bikeless, I'm working on building up All The Gear (which gets worn All The Time I get access to something). I could use a more visible jacket, and I don't have any riding pants yet (my helmet's probably due for replacement too), but at this point, those are goals for after getting a functional motorcycle.
When I got my bike, I had a second hand (head?) helmet, and not much else. I slowly built up my gear collection, and am pretty happy with what I have been able to get. My favorite was getting an AGV Dual helmet for a serious discount for trading in my old one.
I thought I had ATG, but a riding buddy just pointed out that my leather jacket doesnt have back protection, and that riding in jeans only gives you around 5 feet more slide protection than shorts. So I guess always wearing boots, jacket and helmet means I ride MOTGATT.
I find my riding season is shrinking as I find MOTG annoying. Summer is now crossed out on my riding calendar. It's too hot to wear all that stuff.
I rode my bike at least once a week during the first half of summer. In Austin, TX. In the hottest summer in many, many years. I wore my jacket, and probably sweated out ten pounds. Then I just gave up. It was just too brutal. The bike also didn't like the heat much, either.
Ahah! the benefits of Pennsylvania! It rarely gets over 100 and humidity is so high that doing anything is akin to swimming so you'll always sweat the same amount! That is to say, buckets.
I should not complain too much, seeing as how I got to go for a ride yesterday. All the way up to 65F.
Yesterday was nice here too. A balmy low 40s. So I helped somebody move since it was tshirt weather.
In cold weather I wear a pair of thin unlined leather gloves – but they aren't those silly, effete driving gloves with knuckle holes and perforations. Sometimes, I've worn fingerless bike gloves, and those are only ok. On a long drive, I definitely think about wearing comfortable shoes that won't obstruct pedal work. Boots are a pain. I'll also think about wearing a jacket or vest that isn't constricting and helps maintain proper temperature. And I take my wallet out of my hip pocket so I can be more comfortable in the seat. Polarized sunglasses are nice to have at hand, too. Oh, I almost forgot the catheter and ostomy bag attached to the driving suit, so I don't have to take bathroom breaks.
Adult diapers are less invasive.
What, you think I'm some sort of fancy astronaut or something?
No offense meant. Just passing on a bit of, uh, personal knowledge.
I usually wear lace up shoes, no flip flops. I used to wear driving gloves, but then I grew up. For serious driving (autocross) I do have a helmet, that probably isn't even legal any more due to expired Snell certification. I am trying to get the little one started right. She already has her own Stand 21 Coveralls. <img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6537892413_823ac13d1a.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="339994_2733481503296_1445060260_3161570_520694843_o">
Five-inch high heels with French toenail manicure. [youtube Hyk4mDqlIMQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyk4mDqlIMQ youtube]
I think this also appears on some "enthusiast" sites. At the very least, it's on Rex Ryan's hard drive
Hahaha!!
I had a friend who did this as well. She's an excellent driver, yeah, definitely an excellent driver. Really! Last I knew she picked up a ducati.
I drive in the nude for added lightness.
I don't have specific driving attire. There are specific things I don't wear while driving. A thick winter jacket for example. I prefer to be cold for a few minutes than wear a thick jacket that bother the movement of my arms.
On a long drive I tend to drive without shoes (just socks) because of sweaty feet.
I love thick winter jackets when I'm driving in the cold. Then again, my vehicle does a nice insulated roof (it does have a strong heater, so I don't need the jacket, as I also don't mind being cold for a bit).
Other than that, no specific attire. I always wear closed toed shoes though. I have a pair of semi-sandals that are ventilated. Those and a good pair of synthetic running socks do an excellent job of keeping my feet fresh.
I love driving when it's cold, the heat on "high" and be all comfy while I see others walking or biking in the cold. It doesn't really get cold where I'm from, so I barely need a thick winter jacket.
Last year the car I drove had no heater, and even though it didn't really get cold, I still almost froze my fingers off. Sometimes I read about "heater delete" options….. I wish I had a heater un-delete option sometimes.
In the summer I drive with flip flops. Sometimes I do wear socks in them, because the AC freezes my feet
I guess there's always something to complain!
I bought a soft-top vehicle for living in the mountains during the winter. Obviously, there is something a bit off with me. I'm a fan of heaters, but I could see myself owning a car without one. I am not heading for the hills this winter, and it doesn't ever get cold in the Bay Area, so not having a heater wouldn't be a big deal.
I like driving in open vehicles so I can enjoy the outside air. So, I don't ever use A/C (if I need it, the top is off or the windows are open), and I prefer not to have it (if it ever breaks on my Jeep, I'm just going to yank it, but that also presupposes that I'd ever notice it wasn't working…).
But yeah, if you have a car without a heater, you need good gloves.
Also, you always need something to complain about, otherwise, what's the point?
Well, Duh… Stupid sexy leathers FTW!
<img src="http://www.tanshanomi.com/temp/MB5-pose.jpg">
Okay, I kid. It's an Olympia Bushwacker jacket nowadays…
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/68414_1434642312397_1423112542_31066218_2402265_n.jpg" width="500">
that first pic needs more awesome:
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/xouT0.jpg">
Needs more hot pink. Your color palette is too far into the 90's, I think.
No, no, those are his Christmas Duds. The rest of the year, he has a purple jacket with orange and pink insets.
I'm pretty sure you look younger now than you did then.
I started getting noticeably bald at 19.
So you're saying it is all hat induced youth?
You've gotten more handsome with age.
Nothing specific clothes wise except a .380 and a 40S&W.
Size 12 steel-toed Whites, Leatherman Wave, and Kahr 9mm. That way every limb is armed.
Nothing for driving cars.
But last week I weighed myself before and after suiting up to ride to work. Including my backpack with coffee, lunch and a book, I was wearing 45 lbs of stuff.
<img src="http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii208/Shifted_04/Motivational Posters/Motorcycle Motivational Posters/ATGATT1.jpg" width=500>
OSHA's wet dream.
Biggest problemo is that the gloves make it hard to type.
Generally no, and since it's winter I'm in ridiculous gigantic boots, which are not exactly great for driving due to being ridiculous and gigantic.
I have a two pairs of Pumas, which work well for driving. My Nike 6.0s work just fine though too… as do my Quiksilver boatshoes.
I have LeMons gear for the track if needed, but I really want a new driving suit.
I also have a pair of Ducati Puma's. They are really too narrow for me.
What size shoe you wear?
12
Depends on the car. When driving my Miata, either slip-on Vans or All-Stars. Hard to wear much any other footwear in that car.
When driving the EuroVan it's most-often flip-flops or barefoot.
That and some Oakley Fives polarized sunglasses.
When I rode, it was a one-piece Aerostich, a Shoei helmet, and purpose-constructed Alpinestars gloves/boots.
I laughed at rain…until it became snow, then I did my best to stay in the tracks of tractor-trailers.
There can be snow at the Eisenhower tunnel in June, BTW. SURPRISE!!!
(Some) Other riders/non-riders used to scoff, somewhat, at my gearing up for every ride, even if it was to a restaurant three miles down the road. I'm alive because of the above gear. Good gear is expensive, but skin is priceless.
Amen to that. My first year riding I went down at 60 MPH on a 95 degree day. I had my leather on. I credit it with saving my left arm. I walked away with mild road rash and a newfound respect for protective gear.
I don't have specific shoes but I do have pairs I avoid driving in. Mostly my jobsite Timberland Boots and they are too wide for the 3 pedals in the Subaru. Not a problem if I'm driving my/company truck.
If it's cold out I have a pair of ECCO Boots I wear but during the warmer times, its whatever skate shoe I currently own. Skate shoes in whatever VIBRANT color I can find.
<img src="http://www.tactics.com/a/3rlx/2/adidas-ronan-skate-shoes-blue-white-gold.jpg", width=200>
<img src="http://www.schuh-you.com/bilder/blog/Puma-Suede-Classic-New-Colors/Puma-Suede-Classic-Orange-Blue-01.jpg", width=200>
For spirited drivers I have two pairs of Pumas that I tend to use. Sometimes I'll wear a BMW shirt or something just to be "that guy". Other than that, just some pants that are comfy and briefs that won't give me a wedgie when I floor it.
Road wedge is common and dangerous on the roads today.
Greasy pants. Because British car.
<img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6215/6276991319_494d76afa7.jpg"/>
I personally feel like Topsiders/Docksiders work well as driving shoes, I used to have Adidas driving shoes that worked well as a budget driving shoe — and I'm currently thinking about maybe picking up a pair of driving shoes — or driving mocs for maximum douchebaggery potential.
Shoes that don't prevent heel-and-toe downshifts.
Not really a requirement in the Town Cow.
Mittens that don't interfere with column-shift neutral-drops?
Berik Jacket, Zeus and Shark helmets, Alpinestar and Arlen Ness gloves, Timberland boots. Still use jeans to ride my bike, can´t get used to leather or Cordura in Brazilian weather.
Sort of. I've got the cheapest autocross-legal helmet I could find. I wear Keen shoes and sandals almost exclusively, in part because their sole design has a lot of the same features as a good driving shoe (flexible for pedal feel, with a nice rolled heel that makes it easier to pivot the foot). Winter driving used to involve gloves… and a stocking cap, and scarf, and heavy coat. But then I figured out how to make the heater in my car work properly, so now most of that stuff just lives in the back of the car should I get stranded.
I used to wear sunglasses, but I stopped after I sat on three consecutive pairs in a three-month period. It was getting to be an expensive habit.
You need cheaper sunglasses. Your cheapest most hated pair will live almost forever.
Yeah, $7 aviators from the gas station have lasted around 2 years for the first pair and 3 for the second. The first pair did meet it's untimely demise by means of my ass though.
Most of the year all I have to worry about is narrow shoes – there's not much room for my big feet in the Alfa. But when the weather turns cold, I have to make some adjustments for going topless with no working heater. Insulated leather jacket and gloves, fur lined trapper hat.
<img src="http://www.art247.com/images/large/MIRRORPIX/WA/WA252703.jpg" width=400>
I can haz driving a tyre!
I wear driving gloves and Pilotis, not so much because it looks cool but because the heater takes its sweet time and I have trouble working the pedals in winter/work boots.
Nothing specifically for driving, but I've found that the Skechers I like the style of also work pretty well as driving shoes — fairly thin soles for good pedal feel. They're also pretty narrow around my feet, which is good because feet the size of mine don't leave a lot of room around them in the average car's footbox for extra shoe material. Driving my car in my running shoes (on the way to a run or the gym) feels really awkward in comparison.
If I ever get my F-body Lemon streetable, I definitely need one of these jackets.
<img src="http://img.ibtimes.com/www/data/images/full/2011/02/01/62563-burt-reynolds.jpg" width=500>
I am trying to figure out who does not need that jacket.
I live in the middle of nowhere, center of everywhere, so in order to buy or do pretty much anything I'm going to be driving for a couple hours and good driving shoes really help. Especially when you don't have cruise control. Problem is, I've also got wide feet so finding any shoes that fit right is a pain, let alone specialized driving shoes. As a result I've got a pair of Ferrari branded Puma Futurecats (they were a gift), a pair of Rockport driving mocs, and a pair of Pilotis.
The Futurecats are far and away the best of the bunch for driving but they're way too narrow for my feet so I can pretty much only walk from the house to the car in them. The split-rolled heel really works well, helps to stabilize the foot in driving position while still making for easy transitions and the sole is super thin in the ball-toe area so pedal feel is excellent.
The Rockports kind of suck to be honest. They're better than my normal walking around shoes but not as good as the others.
The Pilotis fall somewhere in between and for a "normal" width shoe they're pretty wide, I can actually walk in them. The spherical heel makes for quick, smooth, transitions but it also means there's no built-in stability to the shoe so you have to keep your foot upright yourself. Doesn't sound like much, but after a couple hours of highway driving they're noticeably more fatiguing than the Pumas.
<img src="http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/classic-car-images/motorist-clothing.jpg" width="500">
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