City surveys show that women make up a third of all bike commuters in San Francisco. Yet those of us women who ride have little bike fashion options, compared to the bicycle dudes. While companies like Levi’s have made a series of men’s cycling lines, there are still no stylish bike pants for the ladies…until now.
Local ladies Ilana Siegelman and Meghan Murphy just launched ILADORA, a fashion line for active ladies that blends fashion and function for the everyday rider. Their first product: “The Perfect Bike Pant,” stylish black trousers that look great in your office chair and feel great in the saddle.
“We were frustrated with the lack of fashionable choices for women - it was either athletic garb or take the chance with your quality clothing on two wheels. More than a few great pairs of pants were lost in our daily bike commutes,” says Murphy. “That's why we tackled the pant first - a great trouser is a staple for all women, and we wanted a pair made in a durable fashion that doesn't compromise style.”
The bike and office friendly pants feature reinforced seams that won’t split after days in the saddle, a higher waist cut so your low back and embarrassing college tattoo aren’t visible to the world, water resistant and wicking material, and my favorite—the magnetic cuff to protect your pants from chain grease.
Murphy and Siegelman are busy stitching away and filling their first orders. ILADORA’s pants are designed and made right here in San Francisco, and the company is part of San Francisco’s burgeoning high-end manufacturing industry of SFMade.
“It's great to be able to work with a local factory because you can be completely in touch with each step of the process from cutting the fabric to sewing the pant. It's also important for us to contribute to the local economy,” says Murphy.
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