Legwear

Looks for Less: Animal Prints

April 30, 2009 by Kelly

We had a great response to our previous Looks for Less articles (find them here, here, and here), so now this will be a recurring series here on TLP. We want you to be able to wear the sexy styles you love, even if you don’t have the budget for the big-ticket items! The theme this time is animal prints. As always, there are links below the images to the website where you can buy each piece – whether you choose to splurge or save.

Agent Provocateur Snake Hold Ups; Forplay Sheer Stocking with Snake Design

Dolce & Gabbana Animalier Bra; Lady Leopard Push-up Bra

Natori Zebra Chemise; Karen Millen Zebra Chemise (UK/US)

Caro Cuore Lingerie

May 9, 2008 by Rene

Starting in 1960, Caro Cuore is one of the oldest lingerie companies in Argentina. Beginning in the 1980s and 1990s, Caro Cuore began to expand outside of their homeland with stores throughout South American, Latin America, and up to Mexico (no stores in the USA or Canada). In the 2000s, Caro Cuore expands beyond the hemisphere and heads to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The company has four major brands including the eponymous label, a brand for men (Carouomo), a brand for kids (Minicuore), and a line for young adults (Miocuore). Over their long history, Caro Cuore has diversified within these brands and offers underwear, sleepwear, fitness, and legwear. This is not a flashy brand, but rather a practical label of everyday lingerie and underwear.

Caro Cuore has locations around the globe including:

Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Italy
Mexico
Paraguay
Peru
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Spain
Uruguay
Venezuela

And they have one toe in the water with a store in London. I don’t believe there is any online shopping, so you would have to visit a store for purchasing.

Here’s a selection of their large product line.

Review: Secret Xentials

April 19, 2008 by Kelly

Last month, I showed you Secret Xentials thigh-highs: hosiery that holds small essentials you don’t want to leave home without. We got a great response from you, so Secret Xentials sent me a black pair to try out myself. And good news: they are great, and do exactly what they are supposed to do!

I was surprised when the sizing chart put me squarely in a size larger than I usually wear. I went ahead and asked for the recommended size, but they did seem to run pretty large and I should have sized down. So if you’re in doubt or on the edge of sizes, try ordering a size smaller than chart recommends. When I first took them out of the package, I was concerned that the elastic was too easily seen though the lace and would ruin the look. As soon as I put them, however, on the elastic was invisible so I looked great! It worked, too – they didn’t slip or slide down all night. One thigh-high in each pair has a small pocket in the scalloped lace to hold personal items. It is the perfect size for my credit card and a key, so I can go out for a short night without carrying a purse full of things I don’t really need.

I appreciated that the heel and toe were not reinforced, and they were soft and comfortable to wear. You can get a pair for yourself in black, white, or nude for about $15 from the Secret Xentials website, Oh Cheri! (with free shipping), or some boutiques.

Couture Latex: Atsuko Kudo

April 8, 2008 by Rene

What is Couture Latex Design? Atsuko Kudo is a design shop in London.

Atsuko Kudo designs and manufactures a full range of ladies wear exclusively in latex rubber. All of our garments and accessories are available in a wide variety of plain colours and uniquely patterned prints. Our clothing is designed for women who wish to look and feel beautiful, feminine and strong. We provide individual garments and complete ensembles for the bedroom, the salon, the nightclub or for any other preferred location. If you have more specific requirements we also undertake commissions. Please feel free to contact us.

The company offers a wide variety of garments including jackets, skirts, dresses, tops, corsets, lingerie, accessories, and a wide selection of hats fit for the boudoir or the club. It is the attention to smaller items that shows Atsuko’s commitment to the craft and the fabric. One of Atsuko specialities is leggings. Her leggings are a very long palette of colours that has attracted the high end of fashion. For the Hussein Chalayan Paris catwalk show, the models are seen in Atsuko Kudo stockings.

Vivienne Westwood also showed the leggings in her Paris show for SS08.

Atsuko specializes in printed latex and her designs and efforts are broadening the appeal of a fabric that was considered fetish.

Atsuko has a partnership with Lascivious in the UK. So far, the results are gloves and a choker, but more to come, I’m sure.

Atsuko offers these guidelines for the care and handling of their special garments.

Always use talcum powder or water based lubricant inside all rubber clothing before use
Keep away from heat and daylight – even indoors. store in a dark wrapping
Lighter coloured rubber can become discoloured when placed next to strong ones
Metals can damage rubber i.e, belts, body piercings, coathangers
Avoid contact with all oils. oils can mark and/ or permanently damage rubber i.e. greasy hands, baby oils
We recommend the use of a rubber polish (eg pvc dressing. also known as pervoshine) in order to maintain the quality of the rubber
As with all printed fabrics it is possible that the print on some printed latex garments may wear. this is more common where the garment is rubbing against itself (eg under armpits).

See Atsuko online and buy garments from the same site.

Bebaroque Hosiery

March 5, 2008 by Mandolina

Bebaroque was launched last season in July 2007 by Chloe Patience & Mhairi McNicol — and now that their pieces made it into the first online boutiques just a couple months after starting the label — it’s time for us to take a look at their legwear, and show you where to shop online! 🙂

The story: “Both Chloe and Mhairi separately began designing leg wear and decided to join forces, creating something very special and unique to the market. With Mhairi’s elaborate hand embroidery and Chloe’s intricate drawing skills upon hosiery, a truly innovative design process was developed.” [source]. All their pieces are hand-embroidered and -printed, and you’ll be amazed by the level of detail the legwear displays. People will notice your tights. I guarantee it.

Photos by Paul Marrz

I mentioned online shopping — but it’s still quite limited, especially for US-readers. You can order from Madame Gigi’s and The Shop Floor Project. That’s it, for now! More info on the label is on their pretty homepage located at bebaroque.co.uk.