Les Queues de Sardines: playful new legwear from France

Legwear is enjoying something of a renaissance at the moment – labels like Bebaroque have made tights oh-so-cool again, and this spring’s floral trend has carried over into legwear as well – we saw a pair of these just yesterday in Edinburgh!

Les Queues de Sardines Legwear

Imagine our delight, then, to find yet another innovative legwear designer, and one with such an utterly unique style. Instead of focusing in pretty flowers and bows, Les Queues de Sardines (which literally translates to “the tails of sardines”) are more interested in the slightly strange and slightly surreal. Their hand-printed tights feature golden ants crawling up your legs, a barb-wire garter holstering an illustrated pistol, or a hairy monster’s legs peeking out of your skirt.

The idea for Les Queues de Sardines was born in France in 2004, but since the creators were unable to find a manufacturer, they had to postpone the project until they finally found studio space four years later. In December 2008 the pair finally started printing tights, and all of their collections continue to be printed there by hand, in limited runs.

Spring/Summer 2010 Collection

Les Queues de Sardines’s spring collection is bright and colourful and features bold geometric prints that are guaranteed to draw attention. We love the bad-girl “Bonny” tights (pictured above), and especially the Aqua Girl-tastic “Chimera” (pictured below). The tights have immediate impact, and would instantly transform any everyday outfit into something edgier and more exciting.

Limited Edition Tights – Monster Legs!

Their limited-edition “Monster Legs” tights push the playful concept even further, transforming the wearer into a hairy, brightly-coloured monster with bony legs. The effect is funny, playful, cartoon-y, and perfect if you’re feeling mischevious and just want to have some fun.

Even more collections!

We have to admit, it’s hard to stop showing you more tights! Here are some more absolute gems from their Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter 09 collections:

“La Pluie,” perfect for rainy weather!

“Fracture Ouverte”

“Forumis,” featuring tiny ants!

Where to Buy Les Queues de Sardines

Les Queues de Sardines aren’t yet stocked in the UK (hint, hint!), but the American Lille Boutique has a good selection of their pieces, including “Bonny,” “Chimera” and the “Fourmis” Ant Tights. Prices for the tights range from $60-$75, which we think is a great price considering their originality and hand-printed designs. You can also buy the tights in a number of boutiques across Europe, as well as a few European websites.

We are delighted to find such a fresh and original label, and hope that next time we’re out in town, we see a pair of their unorthodox tights strolling down the street!