Hello blog! I am back after an 8-month hiatus and am actually writing my first negative review eeek! The only lingerie I have been buying lately has been the luxury kind so I thought I would drop it down a notch and go for something mid-range. This is the Bande à part catsuit by Maison Close, an impulse buy that I really wanted to love. I tried it on and thought of all the fantastic winter layering options that were going to justify my purchase. Well.. that until it tore after the first wear.
The Brand
A playful brand at an affordable price point. Maison close is an erotic french lingerie label that has been around for 15 years. Founded by Monsieur Nicolas Busnel so, in my opinion, it’s quite obvious that the designs are marketed towards the male gaze.
The new collection by Maison Close, Bande à Part draws inspiration from the French film by Jean-Luc Goddard.
Featuring sheer mesh and opaque microfiber vertical lines, adjustable straps and a double zipper at the gusset which opens up all the way.
The catsuit come in sizes S-XL, I’m wearing the size S which is a size too small in the bust but if I went for the M the catsuit would have been too large overall.
The Verdict
I washed the catsuit (by hand) and noticed that it was torn at the centre. Looks like there wasn’t enough fabric allowance at the seams where it is sewn together to allow the garment to stretch without it tearing. I wore this piece once and without doing anything super strenuous besides cooking and lounging around the house.
This to me is such a terrible design flaw that I now have to get repaired. Pretty much I just spent $250 on something that ripped after the first wear.
There are a few good things about the garment though. I love its vertical graphic lines which playfully accentuate your silhouette. It’s super sexy and feels like a second skin, the double zipper feature takes it that one step further from regular catsuit to fun catsuit! Also, I have unzipped the zippers all the way to use the ladies and can confirm it works a treat haha. Wearing the catsuit really does feel like a second skin.
I only have one other Maison Close piece and sad to say that has also torn after the second or third wear. So I am going to have to write off this brand as, yes it is targeted for the male gaze but clearly the quality is not up to standard. Could you imagine if you wore a piece for the bedroom? You may as well throw it out afterwards as it would probably come out in pieces.
Though I have been away for some time.. you know pandemic life and all I am reviving le blog so stay tuned!
Bisous!
Ashlee