If you happened to escape campus last Sunday to take a stroll near the National Mall or U Street, you may have seen a mass of impeccably dressed figures whiz by you on bicycles. The riders, adorned in brown and gray tweed vests, wool knickers, brightly colored argyle socks, scarves, and flat hats, weren’t taking part in a filming of Newsies: All Grown Up, nor were they D.C. residents on their way to a Sherlock Holmes convention. The explanation, in fact, is much weirder.
Across the country, events called “tweed rides” are taking place in America’s cities to celebrate the finer fashion details of the late 19th century. The events are inspired by London’s first ever “Tweed Run,” which took place last January. Over 150 lads and lasses, decked out in their Victorian Era finest, pedaled through London’s bustling streets to enjoy the brisk air and the company of the stylishly retro-themed dandies around them.
The ride usually concludes with a social event held at a pub where participants revel in each other’s old-timey outfits and watch the award ceremony where titles like “Most Dapper Chap,” “Most Snappy Lass,” “Most Stylish Vintage Steed,” and “Most Marvelous Mustache” are bestowed upon proud recipients.
The idea has caught on in the States, as fashion-forward cyclists (or very fashion-behind cyclists, depending on how you look at it) have pounced at the opportunity to dress in the garments of yester-century and pedal their single-speeders through a set course in their host city.
San Francisco was first to follow in the footsteps of these loony Londoners, staging their own “Tweed Ride” last February. The event was a hit, and soon tweed rides cropped up in Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, and beyond.
Always a little slow to hop on the fashion bandwagon, Washington D.C. finally held a ride of its own this past weekend. The Dandies and Quaintrelles, a social club made up of trendsters in the District—who describe themselves on their blog (http://dandiesandquaintrelles.blogspot.com/) as “those who desire the company of others with good manners, refined style and delicious bits of gossip to share”—organized the ride. The route they set cut through the heart of the nation’s capital, starting at 8th and H Streets NE and cruised all the way to Marvin Bistro and Bar at 11th and U Streets NW.
Although Dandies and Quaintrelles claim “our highest goal is to indulge ourselves in leisurely retroforward moments filled with exceptional entertainment and delights of the mind,” in true Washingtonian philanthropic spirit, the D.C. ride was a benefit for the non-profit Arts for the Aging.
The leader of Dandies and Quaintrelles, who goes by the moniker Sir E. Channing, claimed on ReadySetDC.com that “D.C. has the potential to be a smart and sophisticated city by stepping it up in style and personal presentation.” Through the Tweed Rides, he hopes that Washington will become more attuned to the fine fashion fixtures of pre-automobile times.
If you feel you’ve missed out on your true calling to bike with tweedy twendsters, Sir Channing is planning to organize another event this April after participating in a Tweed Run in London in March. Until then, cheerio!
Ride with Keenan at ktimko@ georgetownvoice.com.
