Besides bikes, I’m also a car guy…especially 1960s Fords and Shelbys. Not only did Ford win LeMans in 1966, the cycling team they sponsored won the Tour de France in 1966 as well (search my post on this topic). They held the pink for a bit in the Giro d’Italia too! Here are my Ford cycling kits that I wear on my vintage Gitanes or B. Carre (Jacques rode Carre’s bikes).

'Blocking' my undersized jersey:

For those curious about this procedure and process see:

Merino Wool Jersey and Shrinkage

Knitting: Wet Blocking ...

Decided the jersey was dry enough to unpin it this morning. Result? Better than it was, but probably not where I need it to be.

Guess I could block it again, but my feeling is there's only so much I'm going to get out of the fabric.

Bit worried now when I wash it, it will want to spring back to where it was.

Hand wash in hot to soften the material (even though they tell you not to) and just block by carefully stretching with your arms inside the jersey and laying it stretched on a dry towel, restretch several times throughout the drying process.

The pin blocking method is to fussy and does not stretch enough for this.

I put a thick towel over a big easy chair and restretch it several times as I walk by and press it back down on the towel, stretching a bit as I do that.

If you are careful you can get there, patience grasshopper.

I have saved some that were 2/3 their size after losing track and going through the dryer.

And yes, you will have to flat dry and block it some every time from now on.

Only 2 vintage jerseys. But if 1987/88 is the cut-off, then maybe only 1.

Have not searched an exact date for the Banesto, guessed early 90’s, good enough. Purchased for $5 at Seattle Goodwill.
One might say “plain yellow” is just an old jersey… YES, but….if you were riding American roads after Greg won 1st TdF and spotted a solid yellow jersey on a cyclist - it was classic. Even better to be seen wearing it - by the smiles and waves I think it got living in a cycling center - SantaCruz California.


Colorful, and barely fits. Warm, too.

I should repair that bottom hem.

edit: and I just yesterday wore my vintage wool tights. (glad to be lighter weight than ~40 years ago).

I like to wear my Raleigh Team Banana jersey on events, this was Whistler Gran Fondo in 2022

Not an original jersey, just a repro.

I've tried this method with a long sleeve jersey that I shrunk in the dryer. I read somewhere to put hair conditioner in the water to help soften the fibers. So, I did that. I got the arms the right length and the body wide enough. But, I couldn't get the body to stretch lengthwise enough. Right now, it just reaches about 2 inches below my navel. I feel like Baby Huey.

I've had some that took 4-5 tries, they had to work up to it. The key was very carefully stretching it as far as safely possible without over stressing the fabric, doing it while still fairly wet and keeping it stretched out completely while drying completely.

Looks like the hair conditioner should help some but it is to be used sparingly so it may not help with this and regular fabric softener is a big no, no, so.......

merziac Thanks. I'll give another shot (or 2).

OK, quick update. Following merziac 's sage advice, I had the idea to cut out a template that I could stretch the jersey over while it dried. Was going to do it with plywood, but decided on corflute instead which was a lot cheaper and easier to cut. Used a nice fitting jersey I had to trace the shape, cut out the template...then realised I couldn't stretch the jersey enough to get past the arms. Lucky I got corflute; scored one side to allow the arms to fold in which allowed me to get the jersey on, then fold the arms out into the sleeves.

Soaked the jersey in warm water (I didn't feel confident with hot) and stretched it over the corflute template. Still used pins to stretch the length as far as it would go, and the odd pin here and there to maintain shape where required. And voila! Jersey dried and now it's back to an acceptable size. Hurrah! The best thing is I can use the template whenever I wash the jersey to stop it shrinking. Success! Thanks merziac!

Now I can commence jersey restoration phase #2: replace zipper.

Here's a rare one!! I've had this over 25 yrs in my collection - found in a bike shop in Southern California on display. Sold to me and paid dearly for it! Formerly owned by the Olympian David Brinton who beat a Russian in a final sprint where they traded jersey's in respect to each other. This doesn't fit my collection any longer since I only collect 6-Day jerseys. A true authentic piece from the early racing days of the CCCP. Worn by EKIMOV

That's impressive. How long is it? Is it a skin suit? Love the button on arm warmers.

never seen the button off sleeves. Brilliant!!

Added this one recently. It's in the wash right now.

Here's an oldie for the Dallas crowd: