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review
Dashing Tweeds Reflective Tank Top£165.00
VERDICT:
Unusual, lovingly made and genuinely highly reflective
Weight:
274g
Contact:
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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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.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
Superb quality knit and materials.
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
It kept me warm and it was AMAZING under headlights.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
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.
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
8/10
Neither heavy nor light.
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
8/10
Very comfortable. A little on the itchy side, but you wouldn't wear it without something underneath anyway!
Rate the product for value:
6/10
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,
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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11 comments
Dear $DEITY! Those are two of the most deeply unflattering pictures I've clapped minces on for many a moon. Somehow I don't think that it will persuade any viewers to spend Rapha/Assos-type funds on what resembles a shapeless woollen sack, no matter how hand-made & reflective it may be. Indeed, the only saving grace is that it lacks a content of kittens awaiting a watery fate.
I have a dashing tweeds cap and it is a most rare & beautiful thing, with an eye-catching glint of lumi-twill. Please visit their website to see more picturesque and alluring sights than what appears to be an Etsy-reject.
£165 for something that is seriously ugly and doesn't appear to fit properly?
in terms of visibility you cant argue with it but ....
is a separate issue!
I would need to be really desperate to spend some money on something for this to get it!
I thought the same thing. A lot of my clothes have a similar impact on the stomach area. At least I think it's the clothes.
This garment in EPIC to the power of a million. I am very seriously considering one. Good review too, thanks Leonie.
Genius idea - wouldn't be seen dead in it though. And I can't think that it would be all that practical either... Now if they could do the same with a long sleeve merino jersey I'd bit their arm off!
Yes but only when Orcs are about in white vans
Does elvish mithril do that when you shine a light on it?
Is this a joke... £165??!!
Is it fashioned from elvish mithril?
i can help you out there
a photo of it being reflective would really help, because all I can think of is that extra 1 in the price tag!