Get on your bike with McCaffrey’s sleek collection of performance-enhanced clothing.

Just as some motorists might prefer to slip into a pair of Tod’s driving shoes over, say, a Stig helmet and jumpsuit, not all cyclists want to turn up to work looking like a sweaty, lit-up, Lycra-clad condom. But at the same time, quite often the pedestrian wardrobe is not up to the rigours of riding a bike – gussets rip, hems can get caught in the chain and, most importantly, the ensemble to be seen in might not actually get you seen by drivers. Thankfully, there is now a happy medium.

New to MR PORTER, McCaffrey is the handiwork of one Mr Robert McCaffrey, a designer who has drawn on his previous experience working for the likes of Y-3, Nike and Dirk Bikkembergs to set up his own line of cycling shoes and accessories that don’t look out of place off the bike. “With my own collection, I decided that there would be absolutely no compromise on quality, that every material and component would be chosen based on its performance, elegance and durability,” Mr McCaffrey says.

Made more with meandering in mind (“slow and graceful cycling,” as Mr McCaffrey puts it) than setting Strava alight, this is the collection for the sartorially aware cyclist who wants to be both stylish and safe. “My objective was simply to make the highest quality shoes for the modern city traveller, whether by foot or bicycle,” Mr McCaffrey. This means means that rather than scream cyclist, features such as reflective detailing are “deliberately discreet – though if you look closely, they’re there.” (And we suggest you do.)  So forgo the Day-Glo and take these pieces for a spin instead.

Cycling shoes tend to come with cleats. Great on a bike; not so hot when clomping into an important meeting. McCaffery’s range of shoes and boots instead feature Vibram rubber pads on the soles for grip. “Leather-soled shoes are basically incompatible with city cycling,” Mr McCaffrey says. “The leather slides off the pedals, resulting in loss of balance and chewed up shoes.” (He speaks from experience – earlier this month he told The Journal how a minor accident inspired his shoes). Also featured are reflective tabs that you can pull up when riding. And where your usual bike-specific footwear often comes with a complicated-looking fastening mechanism that entails a series of knobs and wires, here’s a pair of Italian-made leather monk-straps with more office-friendly elasticated buckles. Wear them with these water-resistant grey wool trousers by Canali – if you fail to swerve around a puddle, these are up to the task.

Headgear can be a contentious issue among the cycling community – there is no law in the UK that says you have to wear a helmet, and there are those who suggest that to do so sends out the message that cycling is inherently unsafe (it shouldn’t be – and largely isn’t). Plus: helmet hair. Circumnavigate the issue with this proper English gent’s cap, which is perfect for pootling around town. “It’s made by a wonderful milliner just outside Naples,” Mr McCaffrey says. “I’ve added functuality with a fold-down panel, which firmly secures the hat, protects the hairline from wind and rain and is reflective, for high visibility in low light.” If you’re still feeling cautious, this striking helmet by Swedish specialists Poc will protect your noggin while keeping it well ventilated – when cycling, always keep a cool head.

Just because you don’t need an Oyster card doesn’t mean you can jettison your wallet. (And should you get carried away in the pub, you might need your Oyster card to get you home after all.) McCaffrey’s travel wallet is suitably mobile, with a wrist strap for added security and a padded lining designed to keep the contents safe – even if you ride on cobblestones. And there’s a reason behind the detailing: “It’s a tribute to the traditional leather grip tape wrapped around handlebars,” Mr McCaffrey says. “It lends a sportive aesthetic, but can also be dynamic and playful – I like the idea that holding it evokes the feeling of riding a bike.” Team it with this Bremont automatic chronometer watch, with a matching black leather strap and an anti-shock case mount built to withstand the same rigorous testing as an aircraft ejector seat – although you don’t need to verify this on your bike.

Keep up to date with The Daily by signing up to our weekly email roundup. Click here to update your email preferences