It hasn’t always been about spandex and speed. Racing? Training? Those words didn’t exist for me a few years ago. I used to ride around the city to meet friends, get coffee and mash around for no other reason except to enjoy the view. Because I didn’t know much about cycling specific clothing, I subjected myself to some uncomfortable rides from time to time. You live and learn, right?

This week I slowed it down a bit in hopes of passing on my knowledge of casual clothes to you, so I put the Specialized Utility Crew, Levi's Commuter Jeans and Vans Lo Pro (similar version here) to the test! Here in the South it can be rain or shine in a matter of minutes and that's exactly what happened last week. I’m pleased to say that after putting everything through the elements, I highly recommend all of it.

This top was great for function, style and comfort. I kept cool with Drirelease Merino, the relaxed fit allowed me to put my own spin on the outfit by tying it up, and the zippered side pocket gave me a new place to put my keys. I’m wearing this style in Emerald Green, but you can also snag this tee in Carbon Heather for a more neutral look. The Levi's Commuter jeans have a high rise cut, so I don't show any booty, and the water repellant material really helped when it started to rain. Of course, the rain got to me through my clothes, but all of it dried fairly quick! The shoes aren't meant to have any commuter specific qualities, but I find them very comfortable to ride in. However, if I had known it was going to rain, I would have gone with MTB shoes instead. Although the Vans are great when it's sunny, I found my self slipping around a bit when it started to pour.