Scooter sales are soaring -- and no wonder. While automobiles guzzle gas, scooters sip it. Most can squeeze about 75 miles from a single gallon. That's a lot of trips to and from the office for a mere $4-and-change.

But scooting to work does present fashion challenges, especially for women. Skirts and scooters don't exactly go together -- unless you're Audrey Hepburn, spinning around town on a Vespa in "Roman Holiday." For the scooter scenes in that classic romantic comedy, Hepburn wears a flyaway skirt, flimsy gladiator sandals -- and no helmet.

Today, smart scooter-riders do wear helmets, which means they must deal with the horrors of helmet hair. And for safety reasons, they also wear goggles, gloves, biker jackets and sensible shoes. Picture all that accessorizing a business suit or dress.

And let's not forget summer's sweat-inducing heat and drenching thunderstorms.

How to save face -- and stay dry -- while saving gas and leaving a light carbon footprint: That is the scooter-rider's dilemma. Ditto for motorcycle and bicycle riders.

But where there's a (green) will, there's a way, as we shall see.

6 scooter essentials

The romantic image of a cute scooter rider buzzing along in sundress, sandals and head scarf is appealing but not practical.

Scooters have a small wheel diameter, which makes them less stable than motorcycles. Should the driver take a spill, she or he must be wearing apparel that offers some protection against scrapes and bruises.

Alan Llewellyn, sales manager at Orlando Yamaha Kawasaki, recommends these half-dozen essentials for scooter riders:

HELMET: A full-face helmet offers the most protection. An open-face style with three-quarter coverage is also a good choice. The best helmets are strong but light, have air vents for cooling and removable, washable linings.

EYEWEAR: Riding glasses have foam-lined frames to keep the wind from irritating the eyes, plus anti-fogging vents. But all eyeglasses protect against airborne dust and debris.

GLOVES: For summer, vented gloves are available with padded palms and knuckles.

JACKET: Mesh jackets with removable linings are a cool alternative for summer. Jackets should have body armor in the shoulders, arms and across the back.

OVER-THE-ANKLE SHOES: Boots or high-top sneakers are best, but any sturdy sneaker, walking shoe or slip-on offers more protection and stability than sandals, flip-flops or high heels.

RAIN SUIT: A lightweight, waterproof pants-and-jacket combo keeps a rider dry from neck to ankles.

Looking & smelling good

With a little foresight, scooter owners can develop wardrobes that combine commuting practicality with workplace style. Here's how:

Plan ahead.

Ride your scooter when the weather is fine and on days when you are confined to the office. Take your car when storms are in the forecast or you know you'll be out and about meeting clients.

Become a quick-change artist.

Keep dress shoes and a wrinkle-resistant top and jacket in your scooter's storage bin (inset) or desk drawer. Change tops if you arrive sweaty. Good choices: microfiber, polyester and cotton/spandex blends.

Become a master at touching up.

For days when wind and weather muss your hair and melt your makeup, keep a small bag of essentials at the office.

Deodorize.

Wipe away sweat with moist towelettes and reapply deodorant when you get to work. Your colleagues will thank you.

Embrace your scooter image.

Scooters have a cool, Euro-chic vibe. Adjust your personal style to match that vibe. With the money you're saving on gas, buy a really stylish helmet, gloves and biker jacket.

Relish the anonymity.

If you simply cannot feel fashionable wearing protective riding gear over your office attire, take comfort from the fact that your big helmet and wraparound shades effectively hide your identity.

Dealing with helmet hair

Yes, a helmet will flatten your hair. Humidity and sweat will make it frizz or go limp. But that's no reason to give up riding your scooter to work, ladies.

Your best defense against helmet hair is a hairstyle designed for your specific hair type and length -- straight or curly, coarse or fine, short or long.

Work with your stylist to find a style that falls into place naturally, without rollers, flat irons and other devices. That way, all you need is a brush and styling product to whip your hair into shape.

Bruce and Jane McCullen, owners of Salon Salon hair salons in Orlando, offer these tips for fixing your hair when you climb off your scooter:

For long, straight hair: Spritz a little smoothing product onto your hair, brush and go.

For long, curly hair: Before leaving home, apply a little styling cream, twist sections of hair into soft knots, secure with bobby pins, hide under your helmet. At the office, remove the bobby pins, shake out the knots, ruffle your fingers through your hair to release full, loose waves. Use a smoothing serum to calm out-of-control frizzies.

For short, textured hair: Use a pomade or styling wax to create one of those messy, disheveled styles that look so right with summer fashions.

For short, smooth hair: Use a hair powder or spray to add volume and control before brushing.

If all else fails: Keep a small stash of ponytail holders, banana clips, headbands or scarves on hand to tame or cover your tresses.