I work in the heart of downtown Seattle, and every day I see a group of bike messengers hanging out at the coffee shop near my office. They’re always so casually cool, with their half-sleeve tattoos and toned extremities, and I have to admit that sometimes I want to be one of them. (You know, the way most kids want to be astronauts.) Well, that kind of grandoise thinking leads me to wanting more than just a turquoise bike clock. It also makes me pine for bike-messenger clothes: sleeveless shirts that show off my sweet tattoos, leg-baring shorts that clear the spokes and pedals, and a sexy (yet durable) bike messenger bag.

This obsession is why, when I saw the Sweet Skins booth, I didn’t think, “Pretty organic clothing!”  I thought, “I could totally rock some tats with this.”

I know: Sweet Skins doesn’t seem to have that bike rock edge, but next time you see a messenger speed by, check her out.  I’d bet money she’s rocking some seriously comfortable basics and using her bag, shoes and tattoos to accessorize.  In fact, she’s probably wearing shorts a hell of a lot like these (on sale for ten bucks off) paired with a hoodie (in Seattle, anyway – it’s still damned cold up here).  You know what she’s probably got on under that hoodie?  This awesome Solidarity Tee, that’s what:

Additionally, the proceeds for the Solidarity Shirt go to the Revolutionary Association of Women of Afghanistan.  The title of the shirt is a hell of a lot more than just a name!

The whole company seems to be that way: Sweet Skins is minority woman-owned, ecologically sound (organic fabrics, low-impact dyes, recycled paper) and donates their scraps to area artists.  They’re based out of Eugene, Oregon, too, so locals: get your PacNW on…and do it before the sale ends.

So, once I’ve got my messenger clothes I’ll need a messenger bag, right?  I found those too…and they’ll be the subject of my next post.  ‘Til then: my big fantasy is being an elitist bike messenger.

What’s your “when I grow up” fantasy?

[[All photos by Sarah Schlossman.  Want to see more?  Click here!]]

Tags: all natural, Awakened Options: Organic, buy local, clothing, clothing sales, conscious shopping, designers, eco-conscious, Fashion