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rapha crew neck merino t-shirt

rapha crew neck t-shirt

perhaps you've noticed, in american tv shows and documentaries, that it is apparently common fashion sense for blokes to wear regular shirts, but with t-shirts underneath? i'm sure it's not just on tv however, for the entire amalgamation of united states police forces also seem to have a smidgeon of white t-shirt showing at the collars of their uniforms. i can comprehend that such would be the case in northern climes or where it's bitterly cold in winter, such as the midwest, but unless my eyes deceive me, this seems to be standard dress sense even in temperatures that would make my kneecaps perspire.

there is a certain ubiquity about the look that endears itself to daily mode of dress, even on this side of the pond, but more often than not, something a tad more practical than a t-shirt is required to cope with moving from the cold outside to the overwarm inside, as well as keeping he body fortified against the cold and the wind. which is sort of where the merino baselayer steps up to the plate (to use a well-worn stateside phrase).

rapha crew neck t-shirt

sadly, merino baselayers rarely pretend to be anything other than merino baselayers; no problem at all if climbing the ventoux with jersey wide open, but less than sartorially elegant in the office or the coffee shop. generally speaking, that may not be considered an overweening problem in the grand scheme of things, but if travelling on one's taurus corinto for business or pleasure, with the fervent hope that one will not be swot and hetty on arrival, a simple t-shirt 'neath that reversible jacket or, earlier in the year, a rather smart lapel jacket, is likely all one would require.

perhaps they don't have bicycle cops in the usa.

rapha crew neck t-shirt

in the cases outlined above, merino is still the favoured fabric, but i'd be less than keen to wear a simple black or cream baselayer. that would surely give away the nature of my secret identity. the chaps and chapesses at imperial works have obviously run into the very same problem, even in the overwhelming heat that infects london town. and to solve what must be a universal dilemma, they have offered the city riding gent a crew-neck merino t-shirt. however, it would be unfair to confine this latest offering to the realms of the daily commute; patterned as it is, you could easily wear it below a team sky jersey or a smattering of sportwool.

fashioned from 100% fine merino wool, the rapha crew neck t-shirt can be had in four colour variations displayed as a series of narrow hoops, interrupted only by a flapped chest pocket. though they are, as you'd expect, a slim fit, the merino has sufficient natural stretch to allow for the fuller figure. the fineness of wool makes it ideal for wearing under a merino jumper or, as in my case, a reversible jacket. on a relatively mild day, only a surreptitious opening of the zip was required for extra temperature control. the fact that merino is naturally odour resistant makes this an excellent alternative to the cotton tee proclaiming you were once a student of ucla.

it may now be offered as a component in rapha's autumn/winter city riding range, but this has designs on being practical all year round.

the rapha crew-neck merino t-shirt is available in navy/cream, green/cream, green/black and black/navy (as reviewed)in sizes from xs to xxl. cost is £55.

rapha merino crew neck t-shirt

friday 17 october 2014

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