The best source of wool jerseys for cycling I know is 'John Smedley'. John Smedley are currently celebrating their 225th anniversary, they started in 1784, and have specialise in lightweight knitwear. They are not cycling specific, but they use the very best weave of merino wool - it is ultra-fine and very strong and very stylish. I have several Smedley tops that are versatile enough for both cycling and evening wear duty and they show no signs of wearing out. It is head and shoulders above anything else I've worn. They are in a totally different league to the Swobo and Kucharick jerseys, they are much finer, more flatteringly cut, and more wearable in summer.
If you've seen pictures of Fausto Coppi on training rides or après tour (ie. Not plastered in logos) it's that sort of style, totally timeless. If you visit their website, the jerseys are called 'shirts' even though they only have at most three buttons (at the neck). I had a pre-college job in an Gentleman's outfitters and we sold these to young blades and old duffers alike. Their price is very high, so I've always sought them out in sales and I've bought quite a few on Ebay too. They figure in my top 3 favourite items of clothing. Watch out for sizing though, tends to come up small.
Mark Lawrence Oxford United Kingdom
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of WILLIAM OSHAUGHNESSY Sent: 06 October 2009 03:34 To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR] Vintage Clothing, Shoes et al..
An Inquiry for the collective resource knowledge of CR:
Looking for sources for Vintage style Wool sweaters, shorts , leather shoes, clips etc.. seems a bit out of character to be cycling around in lycra with Sidi ergos. any direction away from race and the big R would be most appreciated..
cheers
William OShaughnessy
Manorville, LI, USA