Café du Cycliste are a young French company whose stylish and original cycling clothing has caught the eye in the past year. Based in Nice on the Cote D'Azur, their range is inspired by both the heritage of pro cycling and a hint of Riviera café chic.

The Violette merino jersey is actually made from Sportswool, a polyester/merino blend similar to the Rapha and Shutt VR jerseys, but with a pique knit, reminiscent of an Aertex polo shirt. The slim cut was snug but not too tight (I'm a size 12 and was wearing a medium), and the gripper hem stayed in place without bunching up too much while riding.

In order to put the jersey through a thorough test, I wore it for a weekend mini-tour to the Cotswolds including what would turn out to be the hottest day of the year so far. The rolling hills of the Cotswolds and the warm weather meant I was really working up a sweat, but the jersey kept me cool and dry thanks to the wicking material. The texture of the jersey really helps here, as it's lightweight and dries quickly, so it was good to wear on the second day of our trip.

Detailing is subtle but distinctive - a tiny tricolour tag on the side, contrast zip, collar and sleeves and a cute gingham collar lining. The jersey also features some subtle branding at the hem which adds to the retro feel without looking like a vintage replica jersey. The burnt orange colour makes a lovely change from black - merci, Café du Cycliste! - and the reflective details on the back really stand out, but the overall effect still looks chic enough that you don't feel out of place when you stop for lunch.

The jersey has the usual three-pocket arrangement at the back. The pockets were roomy enough to hold my gloves and a few snacks, but perhaps not if you're the kind of person who likes to really pack your pockets. A neat detail is the hole to thread your headphone cord through. It's worth noting that the pockets aren't lined, so you'll want to stash your gadget in a waterproof case or sandwich bag to stop it getting sweaty.

The Violette jersey is machine washable (cool/wool cycle), and has stood up to repeated wear and washing really well without bobbling or losing its shape. Lightweight, comfortable and stylish - there's a lot to like about the Violette jersey, and I'm looking forward to wearing it more through the summer!

The Violette jersey is £96 (120 Euros) from Café du Cyclist: www.cafeducycliste.com.

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