YMX Winter Flower Long Sleeve Jersey

The Long Sleeve Jersey from YMX is a long sleeved top with a difference. First, you have its eyecatchingly unusual tattoo inspired designs, both across the torso and down the arms. It's also made from a soft silky incredibly stretchy lightweight fabric which pairs with the long sleeves and zip neck to give the top year round potential. Three simple discrete pouch pockets at the rear complete the picture.

Okay,you've got to like the design but beyond its striking looks there's a lot to recommend the top in function too. The silky fabric, as well as feeling great next to skin, is also very effective at transporting moisture.

In summer or warm weather, this means you could happily wear the top as a stand-alone jersey offering that little extra sun protection, while in winter that wicking ability makes it ideal as a base for layering with other garments. I found it worked particularly well with a softshell outer layer.

The fit is sleek and athletic, with good length in the sleeves and torso. Those who prefer a looser fit, or are borderline on stated sizing, might want to consider going up a size to ensure the confidence to show off the jersey!

Taller women will like the sleeve and torso length, but they're not over long for a more standard fit either. The neckline has a good long zip for ventilation, but I did find the neckline to be a little on the baggy side, possibly a facet of the super soft fabric. It wasn't much of a problem though. Pockets at the back are easy to access, and although the top doesn't have gripper tape at the hem, there was no problem with creeping, such is the design and cut of the top and the nature of the fabric. The polyester/spandex fabric does get a little smelly quite quickly, but the top washes in the machine and dries extremely quickly so that's easily sorted, and any odours wash out as fast as they gather.

All in all, £80 may seem like quite a lot for a long sleeved base layer or lightweight summer jersey, but this one is so attractive and effective/comfortable that it's not a bad investment, considering how often it will get worn and the fact that it's effectively a designer item. The top is also available as a non-zip neck for £65.

Verdict

Seriously gorgeous looking top with great comfort and performance. Worth investing in.