Lingerie Review: Lusome Sweat-Wicking Sleepwear and Loungewear
Disclosure: These items were sent to me free of charge for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
Bebe nightdress by Lusome in Noir. All Photos by Oliver Pover.
Lusome is a company that specializes in light, elegant sleepwear designed to wick away moisture and counteract excessive sweating. Their marketing emphasizes the importance of making beautiful, functional garments that allow women who suffer from excessive sweating to feel attractive and comfortable. The brand's founder started Lusome in response to a family member's health problems and the night sweats that followed. While Lusome is primarily deigned to fill a hole in the market for post-menopausal women, cancer patients, and other people who deal with issues around sweating, their pieces are of interest to anyone who wants beautiful, luxurious sleepwear that will also keep them cool at night.
Lusome's designs include pajama-style tops and pants as well as more overtly sexy nightdresses and nightshirts featuring lace trim and variably-plunging necklines. All of their pieces are made of a combination of cotton, polyester, and micromodal that feels silky, soft, and cool against the skin. The feel of the fabric and the polished, elegant look of the clothes contrast with the slickness of moisture-wicking athletic wear, while providing the same lightness and breathability. Because they're a relatively small and relatively young company, they have a limited selection of sizes, sticking with S-XL or XS-L. While producing plus-size garments can be challenging for smaller designers, hopefully Lusome will eventually take advantage of this part of the market.
Lorraine tee by Lusome in Noir.
I received two pieces from Lusome: the Lorraine (in M), a scoop-neck t-shirt marketed for both day and night wear and the Bebe (in L), a traditional nightdress with lace detailing at the neckline and shoulder. I've worn both pieces around a dozen times since they've arrived, and the Lorraine has quickly become one of my favorite summer tops. It's ridiculously comfy, professional-looking enough to wear to the office, and the deep scoop neck works really well for my personal style. The fabric does seem to help with perspiration; it's not quite enough to avoid frequent sweat stains on really hot days, but they definitely fade more quickly than they would on a cotton tee thanks to Lusome's dryLon fabric technology, which encourages fast evaporation of moisture. That said, a pretty huge caveat to my enthusiasm for the Lorraine is that it sells for $60, which is a lot of ask for even the most high-quality t-shirt. If you have the extra cash and want a cute top that will reduce, if not eliminate, visible sweat stains in public though, the Lorraine is a good choice.
Bebe nightdress by Lusome in Noir.
The Bebe doesn't fit quite as neatly into my wardrobe, but I'm also less inclined to balk at an $88 price tag for a luxury nightdress. I tend to be more used to the idea of lingerie being relatively expensive, and for a long piece like this, $88 doesn't feel like too much. The Bebe, which falls to just below the knee, is classy and slinky, with an old-fashioned feel. The black lace that frames the neckline and short sleeves are gorgeous and high-quality, and the dress itself feels amazing on. Where the Lorraine is just comfortable, the Bebe is deeply cozy and soft. I spent a lot of time cuddled up with my cat and Netflix while wearing it. The Bebe is clearly designed to be sexy and beautiful. In terms of my own style and body, however, I would have preferred a little more definition at the waist and a slightly higher hem. The top half of the garment looks great, but the bottom resolves into a long, straight fall of fabric that looks a little boring and dowdy to me. Getting an L to accommodate my larger hips also means that the cut is less form-fitting than it could be elsewhere; sized down, I'd probably be happier with the piece. I don't completely love how the Bebe looks on me (although my partner thinks it's really cute), but I have no doubt that it would be a great fit for someone else.
Back view of Bebe nightdress by Lusome in Noir.
As far as Bebe's moisture-wicking abilities are concerned, it's light enough to stay cool in 90-degree evenings, but because the fabric doesn't touch the skin uniformly below the waist, you'll need a pair of shorts if your thighs or crotch tend to sweat.
Lusome's garments are all machine-washable, an additional convenience that I deeply appreciate, and mine have held up super well to repeated wear and washing. Like I said before, the fabric feels amazing and is also pretty tough; it's particularly nice to have a nightdress with lace detailing that doesn't require a whole lot of extra care. If excessive sweating is something you deal with, Lusome makes elegant, functional pieces, but the price may be a bit much for folks without that particular need.
