Product review: My Alibi ‘Bloomer’ shorts for women

[Publisher’s note: This is the first product review by new contributor Ellee Thalheimer. Learn more about Ellee here.]

The women at Inverness, California based My Alibi cycling apparel are dedicated to ‘making sure you feel beautiful on your bike.’ After spending some time in their “Bloomers” cycling shorts, I’d have to say they’re achieving that goal.

Their bloomers are, in a word, sexy. These sleek, boy-cut chamois shorts (available in chocolate brown and pink) cup buns firmly but sensually like a 1940’s style-swim suit. They are meant to go under a skirt or any non-cycling clothing a woman may wish to wear while navigating on two wheels.

As cycling lingerie of sorts, one could bet money that these bloomers would raise the eyebrows of most bike geeks, or even bike haters for that matter. However, the last thing on a woman’s mind (I’m assuming) while cycling up a three-mile pass is how sexy she looks…

Bloomers by My Alibi.
(Made in Italy – $125)

“Wow, I just beat my time climbing NW Thompson Road by 45 seconds. How’s my butt look?”

That being said, these bloomers can be an incredible addition to a female cyclist’s wardrobe.

They’re perfect for a commuter who has four different errands to do around town before meeting friends for dinner. She can still dress however she wants and have the luxury of chamois support during a day in the saddle. Or, maybe it’s the weekend and you’re going on a short, leisurely ride that might end in a picnic; these bloomers let you wear something less stifling, yet just as comfy as bike shorts.

I also like that these shorts might help motivate a newbie cyclist to hop in their bike because they can avoid the full fledged cycling costume, which can be quite intimidating at first.

Now, let’s talk about the all-important chamois. Made in Italy, the gel cushioning isn’t too intrusive like some chamois on the market (which can make a gal feel like she is sitting on a pillow) yet the bloomers’ support is quite satisfying. The shorts also didn’t strangle my legs, and yet the spandex was tight enough to hold things nicely in place.

The edges of the thigh cuff roll up a bit during use, slightly reducing the sexy factor, but frankly, who cares? You can smooth them into place before you seduce your cycling buddy or whatever you need to do.

I say kudos to the women at My Alibi for creating products that truly support women and consider the diverse ways that cycling can be a part of their lives. Check them out at My-Alibi.com.