Dashing Tweeds Reflective Tank Top
There's no denying the Dashing Tweeds Reflective Tank Top is an expensive item of cycling attire. £165 is a lot of money in anyone's book, BUT this is, after all, a truly unique and innovative piece of clothing, lovingly hand knitted on a small scale in England from pure new lamb's wool.
The really impressive bit, though, and probably another reason for the hefty price tag, is the fact that the whole shebang is reflective, thanks to special yarns being knitted in with the wool.
It's a tank top, and as such has a slightly nerdy, retro chic going on in the first place. As such, it's an item aimed squarely at the hipper cycling sort, but not falling into that category, I didn't let that put me off.
I was intrigued by its woolly/reflective qualities. Sizing wise, the small was a good size as far as breadth went, but the top could have done with being a fraction longer in the body to make it a little more stylish and practical both. As it is, the fit was a little on the boxy side, irrespective of the gender of the wearer.
Over a long sleeved top, it was surprisingly warm thanks to the wool, although, unsurprisingly offered little in the way of real wind protection. It kept my core nice and toasty though, and would be ideal for Spring, Summer or Autumn use.
The really staggering thing about this tank top was the intensity of its reflectiveness. The quantity of reflective yarn used in each garment is considerable and, under headlights, it really shows. As well as looking cool and casual in daylight, this also doubles nicely as a practical aid to being seen after dark. It's hard to argue with that, even at the price.
Verdict
Unusual, lovingly made and genuinely highly reflective.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Dashing Tweeds Reflective Tank Top
Size tested: Medium
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Aimed at hip urban cyclists. And those who like a woolly jumper after dark.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Hand knitted in England from lamb's wool and reflective yarn.
Superb quality knit and materials.
It kept me warm and it was AMAZING under headlights.
The reflective yarn seems to want to unravel itself slightly, but with care this should last a long time. It needs to be hand washed as well.
Neither heavy nor light.
Very comfortable. A little on the itchy side, but you wouldn't wear it without something underneath anyway!
Well made, from high quality materials and in the UK, but still expensive. An investment.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Performed very well as a highly visible casual cycling sweater.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
HIGH levels of reflectivity, woolliness, relaxed style, made in the UK.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Could have done with being slightly longer in the body, and the price was a bit of a wrench.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes, very much.
Would you consider buying the product? Possibly, although I'd prefer to drop hints for presents.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, to buy for me.
Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?
You'll not see too many other cyclists riding about in one of these. Unusual and highly effective.
About the tester
Age: 37 Height: 1.65m Weight: 67kg
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,
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Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling.
Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other.
She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting.
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