Sprezzatura: The Art of Effortlessness
Sprezzatura (English Dictionary): Studied Carelessness
Origins: Italian: A word without direct English translation, used to convey effortless cool, a personal panache that appears to have come without thought or effort.
Sprezzatura. That look that makes some stand out from the crowd, the bearing of effortless style, a charisma and suaveness that appears to just be at one with the individual. Some are lucky and don’t even need to try to achieve it. The way their hair falls, their decision to wear their jacket in a certain manner, their easy stride; it bestows them with style. Contrastingly, some have to work hard to achieve such easy grace, in which case the coolness is a little contrived, a little over-thought – but still achievable.
Coolness, whether effortless or contrived, goes hand in hand with cycling, both on and off the bike.
On the bike, exuding Sprezzatura as we actually pedal isn’t something that can be ‘achieved’ or practiced – in this case, you’ve either got it or you haven’t. To pedal with ease and thoughtless grace is a gift that cannot be learnt, it’s just something a rider is born with.
Those that are born with Sprezzatura in the saddle become the envy of the club run, the guy everyone wants to sit next to at the café. Sprezzatura shines through in the way that the rider interacts with their bike. They fit perfectly to it, their back is straight, their elbows in as they pedal. They were made for the machine. The turn of the legs looks effortless; like it was supposed to happen since birth.
These blessed few don’t just look good in the saddle, they’re a pleasure to ride with – you sit on their wheel and it does not twitch or swerve, the holes are pointed out far ahead of time, and when the time comes for you to do the work and take the wind, you’re not half-wheeled, you’re not put under undue pressure.
Coolness, whether effortless or contrived, goes hand in hand with cycling, both on and off the bike.
However, we’re lucky in that we can all at least aim for Sprezzatura in our look. Style and cycling go hand in hand. Ever since the 40s and 50s, when Fausto Coppi exuded the aura of a movie star off the bike as effortlessly as he crushed his Grand Tour opponents on the bike, there has been something that makes riders want to look good in their kit. We all want to look stylish in our lycra, even when we’re tottering around the corner shop in their cleats, seeking out that tell-tale can of coke and bag of haribo, the lifeline required to stave off a bonk; we want to look suave and stand out from the crowd when in the pens with thousands of others, waiting to start our ride before a huge European sportive.
If you were to claim you don’t steal a glance in the mirror at your café stop to check your look, to ensure your socks are pulled up, your shoes are clean, and your guns are looking mean, we’d call you a liar. Likewise, we all know you catch a sideways look at your reflection in the shop windows as you ride past.
We want to stand out from the peloton in the way that Coppi just had something – an undefinable style – that made his so iconic.
We want to look good in our cycling kit, but we want to have Sprezzatura, unique coolness. We want to stand out from the peloton in the way that Coppi just had something – an undefinable style – that made his so iconic. One of the beauties of cycling is that the apparel that is so essential to the ride, such as sunglasses, shoes and socks, can be used to provide that effortless sophistication.
And here’s some pointers for you.
Key areas of focus for your effortless style:
Shoes and helmet: white shoes and white helmets must be spotless, all year around. The shoes should not be scuffed, the helmet must be straight. But don’t make it look like you checked that in the mirror!
Sunglasses: Should subtly match or complement the helmet. If not being worn on the face, a careless cool can be exuded by storing them in the helmet’s front or rear vents.
Neck scarves and headwear: In the cooler months, these key items should be of a colour that brings out or perhaps contrasts key colours on the jersey. These are key garments for bringing Sprezatura to your look
First things first, and needless to say, wear PONGO socks. Make sure they are freshly laundered, and crucially, kept clear of any oily chains
Socks: First things first, and needless to say, wear PONGO socks. Make sure they are freshly laundered, and crucially, kept clear of any oily chains. Wear them pulled up and straight. For a darker outfit, consider a splash of vivid brightness, maybe our folly pink Pro Race, or Green Breton Stripes. Wearing a brighter jersey? Maybe a plainer sock that complements those colours; our Pro Classic range has something for all occasions. Or keeping it black and white? Our Monochrome collection keeps it two-tone, but has designs you’re not going to see anywhere else.
Although we’re preaching all-things style here, remember, there’s a time and a place for working on your Sprezzatura. Here are some examples:
Acceptable Sprezzatura Situations:
The café ride: If you’re going on an easy cruise to your local café for poached eggs and flat whites, you’re on display, representing the cycling community. Don’t let us down by looking shabby in front of the gossiping 20-somethings and Mac-tapping creatives.
Don’t let us down by looking shabby in front of the gossiping 20-somethings and Mac-tapping creatives.
The Gran Fondo: This may be the event of your year. You’ve been training for this moment for the past six months; it’s time to hit the mountains and do it looking good. Remember, with style comes confidence watts.
The club run: That lairy club jersey can be elevated exponentially with a little thought; the correct sock colourway and a well-selected pair of sunnies can make a sponsor-clad club jersey the suavest of garments if you think about it carefully enough. Your club chairman will love you for it.
Unacceptable Sprezzatura Situations:
The turbo trainer: Although confidence and style boosts performance by a scientifically proven 10%*, when on the turbo, save those best of bibs and sexiest of socks for the outdoors. However, we do suggest you keep your cool; our lightweight Pro Race or Climber Mesh range will keep the sweat at bay and keep those feet and turning fast.
The once-a year mountain bike ride of a roadie in off-season: Let’s face it, big baggies and a camelbak aren’t an easy starting point. And you’re going to get muddy. That strange once-a-year impulse of a roadie to get off the road inevitably leads to more spills than thrills. So spare your best kit the trauma.
N.B. Not scientifically proven