Tuesday 30 November 2021

New From Les Belles: Opaque | Noir 80 Denier Seamless Tights

This week we published our review of the Les Belles Semi | Noir 50 Denier Seamless Tights.



Les Belles have recently launched a new style: the Opaque | Noir 80 Denier Seamless Tights.



Les Belles introduces this new style:

"More coverage, more warmth, more fun. When dressed in Opaque Noir, less-than-perfect weather can’t get in your way. Take on the world (or your couch) in soft, seamless, genderless sensuality."

Key features:
  • Seamless 
  • No Gusset
  • Run-Resistant 
  • Unisex
  • Vegan
  • 80 Denier
  • Perfect-Fit 3D-Knit Technology
  • No-Roll/Pinch/Sag Waistband (3.5 inches / 9 cm)
  • Double-Covered Yarn 
  • Reinforced Toe
  • Made in Italy, sustainably and responsibly from 100% recycled yarns

Once again, Les Belles have guys modelling the product.





Les Belles are sending us a pair of the Opaque | Noir 80 Denier Seamless Tights, so stay tuned for a full review.

Read Part 1 and Part 2 of our recent feature on Les Belles, including an interview with founder Cecile Antier.

Monday 29 November 2021

Reviewed: Les Belles The Semi | Noir 50 Denier Seamless Tights

Les Belles, the US-based hosiery brand that offers sustainable, run-resistant tights, recently sent us a pair of their Semi | Noir 50 Denier Seamless Tights.




You can read Part 1 and Part 2 of our recent feature on Les Belles, including an interview with founder Cecile Antier.

"Les Belles is an ultraluxe yet pocket-friendly tights brand on a mission to make tights for every body and all genders in a sustainable and responsible way. We’re forever inclusive, never conventional, a bit mischievous and a lot independent."



Packaging

The packaging for the Les Belles The Semi | Noir 50 Denier Seamless Tights has been designed to be plastic-free and 100% recyclable. Les Belles communicate a very clear environmental commitment:

Cecile explains:

"In every Les Belles package, you’ll receive a label addressed to an organization in NYC, a creative reuse center that provides free materials to NYC’s arts nonprofits, public schools and city agencies. All you have to do is throw your old pairs (of any brand, not just Les Belles) in the mailer, attach the label and voila!"

The tights are folded inside a square card enclosure, designed to open out like a four-pointed star.





Everything is finally enclosed in a sturdy pink custom-designed card box.



Materials and features

The Les Belles The Semi | Noir 50 Denier Seamless Tights are made in an emissionless, zero-waste factory in Italy reflecting the brand's "100% eco" commitment. The yarn used is 100% Recycled: 85% Recycled Polyamide (Q-Nova by Fulgar) and 15% Recycled Elastane (Roica Eco-Smart).



The key features of this Les Belles style are:
  • Seamless 
  • No Gusset
  • Run-Resistant 
  • Unisex
  • Vegan
  • 50 Denier
  • Perfect-Fit 3D-Knit Technology 
  • No-Roll/Pinch/Sag Waistband 
  • Double-Covered Yarn 
  • Reinforced Toe
The tights looked really small as I took them out of the packaging, but they have quite amazing stretch.

The waistband measures 10cm wide at the centre and 12cm at the sides. The brief measures 20cm from the top of the waistband to the crotch.



The seam connecting the waistband to the tights is flat and very well-constructed.

Toes are rounded and without reinforcement.

The tights have a velvety soft feeling.

Sizing, fit and wearing experience

The Les Belles The Semi | Noir 50 Denier Seamless Tights are available in 7 sizes:
  • XS
  • S
  • M
  • L
  • XL
  • 2XL
  • 3XL


I wore them in the 2XL size.

As mentioned above, the Semi | Noir 50 tights looked really small at first and I wondered if they really were a 2XL size. The stretch however was impressive and they went on quite comfortably. The fit was actually perfect.

On the leg opaque coverage is quite dense for 50 denier. I found that I needed to smooth out the tights a bit to ensure the coverage was even. Appearance is matt with a hint of sheen when caught in sunlight.

There was no wrinkling or bunching on the leg, helped by the 15% Elastane in the yarn.

The waistband sat comfortably above the navel and waist. I would have liked some more elasticity in the waistband so it gripped more tightly. I did find that the waistband needed some pulling up and repositioning over a day of wear, although the tights themselves stayed in place on the leg.

Having tried many seamless tights with a high waistband, such as Heist, I think this might be a additional improvement. A choice of low (10cm) or high (15-16cm) waistband would be welcome.

The Semi | Noir 50 tights provide a nice layer of insulation under trousers and did not feel too bulky.



Colour range

The Les Belles The Semi | Noir 50 Denier Seamless Tights are available in the Noir (Black) shade.



A 50 Denier Semi | Bleu (Blue) version is also available.



Price and availability

The Les Belles The Semi | Noir 50 Denier Seamless Tights are priced at $20.00 for a one time purchase.

For Les Belles subscribers the price is $16.00.

Cecile explains the Les Belles subscription scheme:

"It’s pretty simple: All you have to do is pick 1 to 4 pairs, select your style(s) and size, and voila! Comfy, chic collants will be delivered to your door (in a cute recyclable packaging) at a discounted price every month. You can pause, change or cancel at any time. No stress. No commitments. Prices start at $14.40/month for 1 pair (which is 20% off the regular "eshop" prices) and includes free US shipping and taxes. For now, international shipping is an extra $10.00."

Conclusion

This is our first Les Belles review for the blog. This brand has such a friendly, welcoming and inclusive ethos that they really do deserve support for what they are doing. Their marketing uses inclusive imagery and they really do love customers of both sexes and all gender identities.

These tights are a comfortable fit at a reasonable price. The extended sizing options will appeal to guys, along with the seamless design.

The recycled yarn used and plastic-free packaging also deserve credit.

Check out the new Les Belles Opaque | Noir 80 Denier Tights.

Monday 22 November 2021

New Images Of Threads For Men Tights

On Hosiery For Men we gave extensive coverage to the new Threads For Men tights when they launched in August.



You can still read our interview with Threads founder Xenia Chen.

Threads have been sharing reviews from customers of the Threads for Men tights.



The Threads webpage for Threads For Men also now includes new photos of the product on a male model.







"Our Threads For Men 20 denier tights. Designed based on feedback from over 150 men, our TFM Sheer tights incorporate everything you love about our original Sheer tights, plus more features that cater to the comfort of men. Handsewn in our Italian factory, TFM Sheer tights are made with your comfort in mind. Wear them on their own or under shorts or trousers or whatever other clothing you choose!"





Key features of the Threads For men tights:
  • Brief With Fly: Brief contains a supportive pouch and fly, for added convenience and comfort.
  • Handsewn and Crafted: Brief area is carefully hand-sewn with flat seams and a cotton gusset at the front for maximal breathability.
  • Microfiber Double-covered Yarn: Super comfortable. Less likely to static and stick to your clothes.
  • Contoured Waistband: Hugs all the right areas. Bum-lifting.
  • Reinforced Toe: Barely there, invisible strength.
  • Enhanced Leg Length: A more realistic (longer) leg length. No more double crotch.
  • Built to Last: Designed to hold up. 3D construction.

Don't miss our recent post on the launch of the new Threads Sheer-To-Waist Tights that are designed for both men and women.

Tuesday 16 November 2021

Win Free Tights For A Year From Hēdoïne

To celebrate the launch of their Biodegradable Ladder-Resistant 30 Denier Tights, luxury legwear brand Hēdoïne are running a competition until Sunday 25 November.



Enter your details on this link and you will be in with a chance to win a a 12-month tights subscription.





To learn more about the Hēdoïne Biodegradable Ladder-Resistant 30 Denier Tights check our recent interview with the co-founders of Hēdoïne Alex and Anna.

Monday 15 November 2021

Billi London Launch The New SEV7N Biodegradable Leggings

Billi London recently launched their new SEV7N Biodegradable Leggings.







The Billi London SEV7N Biodegradable Leggings were available exclusively in their pop-up stores in London and Paris, but can now be purchased online.

Billi London have already created the world’s first certified 100% biodegradable tights, and have now decided to do the same with leggings. They are made with a blend of innovative enhanced biodegradable yarns, using 3D technology for maximum durability and superior comfort.



With a unique mix of innovative enhanced yarns, Billi London leggings break down in a record time of around 5 years (versus 40 to 100 years for traditional leggings made with standard or even recycled materials) into biomass and biogas, creating renewable energies, and without leaving microplastics in landfills.

Billi London leggings are ethically and sustainably made in Italy with solar-powered production and water recycling facilities.



To get the fit and feel of the SEV7N Biodegradable Leggings right, Bill London co-created the design with the help of customers who they consulted on every aspect of their ideal legging design, from leg length to how thick the fabric should be.

Key features:
  • Black
  • Premium and luxury yarn: Amni Soul Eco® nylon and ROICA ™ V550 elastane
  • Appearance 150 denier
  • Curves toning and sculpting effect to beautify your natural silhouette
  • A soft seamless waistband sewn by hands with natural tummy flattening effect
  • 3D technology allowing a 360-degree flexibility
  • Comfortable and soft for a second skin effects

The Billi London SEV7N Biodegradable Leggings are available in four sizes: S, M, L, XL.



If you need more advice on sizing there is an online size guide.

The Billi London SEV7N Biodegradable Leggings are priced at £54.00 or €61.00.

To learn more about the Billi London brand and their unique 100% biodegradable tights, check Part One and Part Two of out interview with co-founder Sophie Billi-Hardwick.

Sunday 14 November 2021

Threads Introduce New Sheer-To-Waist Tights

Threads have launched their new Sheer-To-Waist Tights.

.



Launched in response to requests from customers, the Threads Sheer-To-Waist are 20 denier tights with a seamless, smooth sheerness from waistband to toe.

Key features:
  • Double-Covered Yarn with Lycra®: Super comfortable with all-way stretch. Also less likely to static and stick to your clothes.
  • Cotton Gusset: Breathable and comfortable 
  • Reinforced Toe: Barely there, invisible strength.
  • Enhanced Leg Length: A more realistic (longer) leg length. No more double crotch.
  • Built to Last: 3D construction means it’s designed to hold up. 
Once again Threads are showing their commitment to male customers to inclusion with fully inclusive marketing imagery of guys wearing the product.





The Threads Sheer-To-Waist Tights are available in five sizes and are priced at $15 USD and $20 CAD.

At present only the Tan shade is available.

Do check out our post on the launch of the Threads For Men Tights.