Custom, Cute & Completely You
Women’s cycling fits are about to get more personal—and a lot more fun. Here are our top predictions for what's about to take off in 2026.
From embroidered patches and artist-designed bandanas to jewelry stacks and playful hair accessories, self-expression is shaping the future of cycling style. Our bet? We’re predicting a rise in customization and accessorization that lets riders build a kit as unique as their ride.
Embroidered patches carry an unmistakable aesthetic—one that pulls us back to the early days of backpacking culture and punk-rock, washed-denim uniforms. Grounded in this DIY spirit and ’80s subculture, patches have now returned in a full-fledged revival.
As culture drifts ever more towards AI-generated perfection, patches push back. They're a (small) way of rejecting the glossy, cookie-cutter ready-made everything in favour of something more human. Imperfect, even.
So find your patches. And transform your cycling kit from jerseys, jackets to bags and bibs—into something unmistakably yours. Pieces that feel personal, not perfect.
Vinyl vs. Embroidered Patches?
Hot Tip: For lighter, performance-driven fabrics like those commonly used in cycling gear, vinyl patches are the better choice. For thicker fabrics like bike bags, embroidered patches are ideal.
For many of us who grew up playing sports, the rule was always the same: remove all jewelry before training—it could get caught, damaged, or lost. But times have changed. Today, women are rocking gold and silver rings, layered necklace stacks, and even bold hoop earrings, all while out breaking a sweat.
While we want to perform well on the bike, we also want to showcase our personal style. Jewelry makes it easy to feel effortlessly put-together because a little shine goes a long way, even while in motion.
This year, nails took center stage at the Tour de France Femmes. And it's no surprise why. Nails have always been mini canvases for self-expression. And now with platforms like TikTok and Instagram, nail art has turned into serious viral content.
As Megha Torpunuri writes in substack The Sweat Lookbook, "Manicures have become another way for cyclists to express their personalities, which makes sense given the hours cyclists spend staring at their hands."
Braids have always been a practical choice for female athletes. They keep hair off your face and stay sleek under a helmet. In fact, they’re such a go-to for race day that we even put together a braid montage before the Vancouver Triathlon. But the braid game today is next level. Thank pop culture for that.
From complex fish tails to double-braided ponytails, pop icons like Sabrina Carpenter have infiltrated sporty hair-dos. Prime example: Gorp Corp Queen Sabrina Bloedorn who wears what she calls "fairy-inspired" braids with hiking fits worthy of a futuristic runway.
For the truly bold, hair ornaments are the next level—think mini butterfly clips and lace or tinsel strands. The only rule? Have fun, embrace that ’90s kitsch vibe, and make sure it doesn't all fly away on the ride. 😜
Bandanas are another mega trend in cycling right now. From the practical side: they wick sweat, protect from sun and wind, and fit easily under helmets or around the neck. But right now riders aren’t treating them as purely utility gear — they’re styling them with intention, wearing them as accessories just like scarves or head wraps in everyday fashion.
In a cycling landscape that’s shifting away from strictly masculine fits, small accessories like bandanas offer female cyclists a chance to play with their look in a more feminine way.
The last decade or so in cycling has been dominated by an understated and masculine aesthetic. From Pas Normal's Scandinavian minimalistic style, to MAAPs sleek silhouettes. Everything has felt muted—no excess, no fluff—and deeply rooted in high-performance road cycling.
Enter fluff and excess.
Female riders are reaching for bolder prints and brighter colors—kits that pop with frills, florals, and playful accessories. And as cycling culture expands into gravel and mountain biking, silhouettes are loosening too, with more breezy tees and relaxed fits (hello, casual-comfy!). In a sport long dominated by spandex, it feels like a refreshing, radical shift.
That's not to say the traditional is out. But only that cycling fashion is becoming a whole lot more exciting. It brings to mind the Japanese word kawaii (かわいい).
Kawaii means “cute”—and that’s exactly what 2026 is all about. Custom. Cute. And completely you.
