In the later years of the Victorian era, bicycles became hugely popular. Women especially loved them as they helped give them independence while being significantly cheaper and easier to maintain than a horse, the only alternative. You don’t need an entire extra building, fields and feeding routine for a bike, after all. You just need a shed, oil pot, and puncture repair kit. 

Humans being humans, the clothing required to ride a bicycle safely became a fashion trend, and there were soon a vast number of options for the discerning lady to choose from. Given that LARPers and Victorian cyclists probably want the same amount of physical freedom they can be a great place to start looking for clothing ideas for your characters.

Interestingly, mountaineering was also a popular pastime for Victorians but it hasn’t quite gotten the same amount of oomph behind it on the old internet, I will include anything I find for that here as well.

But back to cycling, here are some options;

First, the fantastic website and book, Bikes and Bloomers. 

This website has patterns for six outfit options for the lady cyclist. From a skirt with pulleys to shorten it to a skirt that turns into a cape, you’ve got lots of options. There is also a book with more in-depth info on the era and where these patterns came from. This is an excellent website and book for people who want patterns for this style AND want to know about the history and background of the time and fashion. Unfortunately, the patterns don’t have sizing options, so you must do that yourself if you try it out.

Link to website

Link to book* (links with * are affiliate links and I may earn some money if you click on them)

Laughing Moon Patterns can also be found in our big list of pattern publishers, but the patterns which are made for this particular look are;

A pair of wide legged trousers that can be covered with a panel to make them appear like a skirt. These are sometimes called “secret pants” here on the web. They were often used for cycling and horse riding. Link

A pair of cycling bloomers with gaiters. Link

A free pattern for just the above gaiters. Link

Black Snail Patterns is another pattern publisher written about in the big list of pattern publishers, they specialise in the long 19th century (so Revolution era to WW1) and also have some options for cyclists.

This skirt is designed to have extra fabric in just the right spots to allow you to ride a bicycle. Link

This is a pair of knee length cycling trousers, with a pair of gaiters for covering the lower legs. Link

This pattern company also has a lot of shirt and jacket patterns for you to make for the upper part of your costume.

Truly Victorian is a (surprise) Victorian era focused pattern company, they have a split skirt that can be cut to a length appropriate for cycling or horse riding. And of course they have plenty of options for shirts and jackets to complete the outfit.

Link

I hope this is helpful and I look forward to seeing fantastic Victorian Cyclist outfits on the LARP field!