Hommage au Velo Ghisallo Jersey women's

Hommage Au Velo's Women's Short Sleeve Jersey is a retro design with a boyish cut and no-frills fabric. It's spot on for leisurely rides, or for those who are not sold on 'high-performance' fabrics and skin-tight race-fit jerseys. The ethos behind the company is pretty appealing too.

• Pros: Unique design, cut that doesn't assume a tiny waist
• Cons: Sizing is very different to many brands, poor breathability on the rear

The jersey is a simple design, both aesthetically and materially. Although the front and rear panels are not overly breathable, there is a mesh panel under the arms that delivers great ventilation where it matters. I came to favour the top for more leisurely rides when I knew I wouldn't be working up a sweat.

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In slightly cooler temperatures than we've been having of late it's great when worn with a decent undervest that will handle moisture from sweat before it reaches the jersey (so it's perfect for a normal British summer!).

The main body is 100% polyester and, in the sweltering temperatures that we've had, is no match for the big brands and their all-singing, all-dancing high-tech material. It will be spot on in spring and autumn with a decent baselayer. The neckline is suited to this too – it has a bit of height and a tidy garage for the covered camlock YKK zip.

Unlike many female-specific tops that assume a tiny waist, this jersey is barely tapered at all – refreshing perhaps. The length is spot on. I must hasten to add that I tested a large; I am never normally a large but simply could not squeeze into the medium (it's a medium photographed, but I'm not the model). Size up. (There was significant difference between the two sizes.)

The sleeves are held in place by a very sticky strip of silicone – so sticky it sticks to itself! The underarm panel has a hem, while the rest of the sleeve is laser cut. I initially thought this was bound to fray but it still looks like new; a clean and tidy cut. The silicone strip really does stick to the skin rather than grip it, but it wasn't irritating in any way. Get it in the right place and it stays there.

The base line hem is a much more familiar combination of stretchy, dimpled tape at the front and a silicone strip mounted on elastic at the rear. It all works well.

Three rear pockets, with a top-line reflective trim, are slightly higher than many jerseys, but not so high that they are awkward to access. In fact it just makes them more generous than most pockets on female-specific jerseys.

A fourth, zip-pocket, sits over the left most pocket. It's lined with water-repellent material to protect any contents and has a headphone hole to the open pocket. It's best suited to smaller, MP3-type devices rather than the latest, larger smartphones. It's equally useful for valuables, of course.

The jersey is available in three different colour schemes: black and navy as well as this mint green. Although the design is pretty understated, it doesn't just blend in with all the other kits on the market – when I was out in a group, loads of people commented on how nice it was; it's unique.

> Read more road.cc reviews of women's cycling jerseys here

With a price tag of £85 the Ghisallo isn't cheap – but bear in mind that 10 per cent of this is going to charity. There are comparable jerseys out there: the 2XU Sub Cycle Jersey is £80 and the Saikel Chevrons is £95; both have many similar features, but with designs that are very different.

If you are out to simply ride at a pace that doesn't work up a serious sweat and prefer an understated design and boyish cut, I'd say the Ghisallo wins hands down.

Verdict

Appealing design with a boyish cut, best combined with a decent baselayer