Hailing from the Nice in France, Café du Cycliste is a cycling brand that brings a large element of French style into its technical garments. Designed for warmer weather, the Lucienne jersey is such an example, merging classic looks with modern execution.
Made from a lightweight Merino ‘Tecnowool’ and Polyester blend, the Lucienne offers an ultra soft feel against the skin. Merino is known for its resistance to stink, as well as its quick-drying and temperature-regulating properties – something the Lucienne does exactly.
Hooray, a summer jersey I actually feel dressed in! This men’s jersey is claimed to be for hot weather, and while very good, it’s not the lightest or coolest feeling garment going. This is so often the case with wool blend jerseys, with the rare exception of something like the near-naked Rapha Super Lightweight jersey.
Related: Rapha Super Lightweight jersey
Despite the few mesh panels for further ventilation aid; the Lucienne isn’t my first choice for overly hot summer days. Instead, I’ve found it ideal for occasions where a short sleeve is warranted, but a little temperature control wanted. In Sydney, such a jersey has proven ideal for use across almost three seasons, adding in arm warmers and a base layer when needed. If you do get caught in high heat, the jersey hardly holds sweat and dries quickly.
The fit of the jersey sits closer to ‘race’ than it does ‘club’. It’s not bear hug tight, rather a form following fit on an athletic build. Those still recovering from last Christmas will likely find comfort in its cut and stretchy nature, but in a size up.
Plenty of space, although the zippered pocket is best used for cash and keys
There are plenty of little details that make this garment. The long reflective panels that line the outer edges of the rear pockets are effective for low-light riding. Reinforced to not sag when fully loaded, the generous pockets hide a pump loop and a hole for headphones. There’s a zippered security pocket too, although the latest smartphones are too tall to fit.
The full-length zipper has been reliable, and the silicone gripper surrounding the entire waist shows no signs of wear either.
Styling wise, the Lucienne is sure classic in its aesthetic. Wool jerseys tend to offer this, and further subtle details from Café du Cycliste add to it. For me, I like the simple blue that fits with any plain black bibs, without being black itself, but I don’t love the black/white mesh panels on the back and under the arms.