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:
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:
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.
"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 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.
Outstanding.....
ReplyDeleteI wasn't aware of the fact that men are now into wearing women's pantyhose. But that's fine with me because they can have all of mine because I hate wearing them.
ReplyDelete