Le Bourget ‘Voilance’
I am celebrating a significant milestone this year: fifty years of wearing hosiery. To commutate this I have decided to track down some specific piece of my own hosiery wearing history.
This time it is a vintage pair of Le Bourget Voilance tights (often remembered as 'Violence'). This was the very brand that first introduced me to the world of non-British tights four decades ago, and I wanted to see if the reality lived up to the memory.
A Brief Note on Le Bourget
Founded in Paris in 1924, Le Bourget is a cornerstone of French hosiery, synonymous with Parisian elegance and innovative styling. While they continue to produce contemporary collections—like the high-tech Heritage Luxe range—it is their classic "New Old Stock" pieces, like the vintage Voilance range, that continue to captivate collectors and nostalgia-minded wearers alike.
Fading, still Real Memory.
Admittedly, my memory has faded with time, but putting these on again immediately brought back one vital realization: just how different these tights felt. Back then, in a pre-internet world, I knew very little about Le Bourget. I didn’t know any other women who wore them, so I had no one to ask for an opinion. They felt so distinct from anything else I had tried that I often wondered: was I wearing a budget find or a premium French treasure? I have since discovered that they are, in fact, a prestigious, premium French label.
These tights featured a "Boy Short" brief, which was something I hadn’t encountered before—similar to the light control-top tights we are used to today. I suppose they could even be worn without underwear! Though I didn't go down that path then (and haven't now), the sensation was immediate. They felt so much closer and tighter on the leg than anything else.
And then there was the "Glide Factor." Wow! My legs slipped against each other with a smoothness I had never experienced. That feeling literally took my breath away; I remember thinking that if all French hosiery felt like this, I never wanted to wear anything else! Unfortunately, at the time, they were fairly expensive for me. With my limited experience, I soon laddered them, and they were just too costly to replace back then—but what a wonderful experience it was.
A Word of Caution from Five Decades of Experience
If you are thinking of trying them, keep in mind that while many ladies today describe these as a "classic vintage style," it is important to distinguish them from modern hosiery. Based on my fifty years in tights, I can tell you that vintage constructions are fundamentally different from today’s Lycra-heavy offerings.
The fit and tactile experience are unique—often featuring a higher waist or less "give" in the material—and they won't suit everyone. If you are accustomed to the stretch and recovery of contemporary tights, prepare for a noticeably different experience. However, I urge you not to let that deter you; there is a unique, shimmering sophistication in vintage hosiery that modern pairs often struggle to replicate.
The Verdict: Is the Nostalgia Worth the Hunt?
Sliding back into a pair of Le Bourget Voilance after forty years was more than just a review; it was a trip back in time. While my hosiery drawer has seen hundreds of pairs since then, nothing quite replicates that specific Parisian "glide" and the structured, elegant fit of these vintage gems.
Are they worth tracking down today? If you are a fan of authentic vintage style and don't mind the delicate nature of older nylon, then absolutely. They offer a level of glamour and a unique tactile sensation that modern, mass-produced tights often lack. Just remember my warning: treat them with a bit more "TLC" than your everyday pairs—those ladders are just as heart-breaking now as they were four decades ago!
Whether you find a pair on eBay or try one of Le Bourget’s modern descendants, there is no denying that this brand changed the way I looked at hosiery forever. It was the moment I realized that tights aren't just an accessory—they are an experience.