I’ve been wanting to give Crane and Lion a try for a while, and I’m happy to be able to share a review today! Crane and Lion is a new and growing brand only just coming up on their first birthday. Based out of Boston, their styles are geared toward the sophisticated woman looking for a simple yet feminine active look. The styling has a more casual vibe, as opposed to the aggressive, ultra-sporty look you’ll find from some other brands. This aesthetic echoes through not only their fitness pieces, but their casual lifestyle layers as well.
Disclosure: these pieces were complimentary from Crane and Lion. All opinions in my reviews are always honest, no matter where the products come from.
Long sleeve tee
The long sleeve tee is made of a blend of cotton, modal, and spandex that makes it very soft and comfortable. It’s a medium weight that will do well in the fall layered over a tank or worn on its own.
My tee is Crane and Lion’s size 0 (XXS). In my opinion, the sizing on this tee runs on the loose side. My true size here is fitted, but not tight. If you prefer a more skin-tight fit, size down. If you’re between sizes, I also suggest going with the smaller of your two sizes. The length hits just in the right spot for me. It’s long enough to hit the hip and keep everything covered, but not so long that it scrunches at the waist. I also like that the side seams wrap around the front–it’s a nice detail.
The tee has comfy thumbholes for added warmth, but unlike many tops, I have enough room at the cuffs to slide this back and up my arm if I need the cuffs out of the way. The shoulder detail widens the neckline slightly to accentuate the neck and shoulders.
The back also has ruching to give it some more feminine flair. The styling makes this a great option for transitioning out of the gym, unlike many technical long sleeves out there. This tee is a great basic-but-not-TOO-basic addition to my wardrobe. I expect to wear this most often on fall hikes, over a tank before my workouts heat up, or just over jeans while I’m out and about.
Original tights
The fabric on the leggings is a nylon/spandex blend. It’s a bit fuzzy/cottony to the touch (*not* slick), though not as soft and supple as blends like supplex. I didn’t find it scratchy or uncomfortable, it just has a different feel. It’s not a very thick fabric, but because of the cottony feel, it also doesn’t feel extra-lightweight. As with most fabrics that have the more cottony touch, these feel quite fitted, but aren’t necessarily compressive. The fabric is pretty all-purpose and will be suitable for a wide variety of fitness pursuits. I’ll be interested to see how the fabric breaks in and holds up over time through more workouts and washings. I’m curious whether it’ll soften up at all as well as if it will pill over time or stay looking sharp–time will tell! Also, an important note: if you’re going to be squatting and bending in these tights, though, I’d recommend nude-colored underwear since colors/prints/etc will likely show through. I’ve heard that the coverage on the black tights is excellent, so that color might be a better option for you if you want superior coverage.
Compared to the pictures online, dark slate isn’t quite as saturated in real life. The blue tones aren’t as strong as the stock photos show, and overall it’s not as teal. I’d say my photos here are pretty close to the true color. It’s a unique shade that adds some color while still being understated.
I love the back detailing on these tights. The seaming helps to elongate the leg, and the angle of that same seam, complemented by the angle of the waistband, really flatters the booty. I also like that the logo, a stylized ampersand, is subtle and elegant and both these tights as well as the top.
There’s also a waistband slit pocket with a fun contrast lining.
Although they don’t have a drawstring in the waist, these didn’t migrate at all when I worked out in them. The rise is your typical medium rise, and the waistband sits quite comfortably without cutting in. For length, they’re one of the longer full-length pants I own–I have plenty of ankle scrunch to spare on my short legs (you could tuck them under your heels for yoga easily if you like to do that). As a point of comparison, they’re only about an inch shorter than lululemon’s wunder under pants.
The fit on these is spot on. I really like that Crane and Lion offers 7 different sizes from 0 to 12. That attention to sizing detail really makes a difference. My tights are a size 0 (XXS), which is my usual size (when available). This is definitely the right size for me–they fit perfectly! Given the fit of these tights and the tee, I’d say the brand runs somewhere between true and slightly large, depending on what you’re comparing it with. Whatever your usual letter size is (i.e., S, M, L), I would suggest taking a look at the size chart and go with the coordinating number size.
Overall, these are a versatile, flattering, and nicely fitted pair of tights for the gym or with sweaters and boots.
Shop this review
Original tights | Long sleeve tee
More from Crane and Lion
Wrap sweater | Keyhole sports bra | Jogger pants
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I have a few Crane and Lion pieces… I had been hoping the slate color would be more like Lulu Alberta Lake, but I think it’s much more gray than it looks on their site. It wasn’t quite what I was hoping, but I like it…
I have two pairs of the jogger pants, and I bet they would be big on you, AA. I have them in a 0 and I’m going to have them taken in around the hips because they have that ‘dumpy’ look around the pockets. I initially ordered a 2 and they were huge. They are a thick French terry, and the quality is good. (They are very similar in cut and price to my Outdoot Voices pants, and the Crane and Lions blow them or of the water.) The pants are a little short for me because I’m so tall, but they’ll be cute with low boots or hightops.
I also have two of the racerback tanks, which I bought more for the colors but I’m really happy with them. They are nice quality, and more of a thicker fabric. I would say to size down if you’re in-between. Overall, I really like the Crane and Lion pieces that I have, and I would buy from them again —
Yeah, I’d say it’s more grey than alberta lake for sure. Thanks for the input on the joggers. Based on the photos online, they looked like they probably wouldn’t work for me in practice, even though I like them in theory. :)
oooooh i love those tights! and i love the muted color (since i dislike color, lol). i need!
but where’s our discount code? these brands need to get with the program and take the hint from alala :P
speaking of… i got my alala order yesterday. i love the raglan tee and weekender dress. yippeee… and my impulse no-way-i-can-keep-it purchase – the sherpa vest – i adore too. I’m kinda surprised. it is just so cozy and simultaneously badass. crap… what to do what to do….
i am not going to keep the chill pants. they are lovely, although the texture is not as soft and fuzzy as lulu similar textures (which i actually don’t mind since i would wear them running), and i really like the pink contrast pocket details. but they are very unforgiving at the upper waist seam and with my long torso they just dig in on me. this is a common problem i have, so I’m not surprised but the lulu toasty tech tights fit much better and are much cozier/warmer, so ill keep those instead.
thanks so much for these fun reviews!
what a great blog job you have… do you need an “employee” to take some of your free stuff and help you handle all these review requests???? hahaha… i am soooo funnneeeeeee.
i found a sign up for emails link and get 20% off at the bottom of their web page!
i tell ya, i have a nose for discount codes…
Heh, you definitely do have a knack for the deals. :) It is definitely a fun job to review lots of new brands. This blog has wound up enabling my habit even more than I would’ve though, heh. Thanks for the notes about your Alala order! Sounds like I need to try the sherpa vest, too–gah!!! I’m going to be returning my chill tights as well, actually. The fit didn’t quite work on me either–you’ll see what I mean when I finish the post (next week probably, bit of a backlog over here).
The top is cute save for the baby onesie neckline. Is that a thing this year!?
Haha how did I know someone would point that out. :) I don’t mind it too much, but I’ve never had a baby nor have I even dressed one, so it doesn’t bother me, fortunately!
I bought a pair of the black crane and lion capri pants with the pretty calf detailing when Ruelala had them on sale for $49. I was so disappointed! They were completely see through, even without going into a deep squat. I had really been looking forward to trying this brand as I find the details to be so unique and feminine. I purchased a size 2 (i normally wear size 4 in lululemon bottoms), and found the fit to be perfect, but alas, the sheerness was a deal breaker. Glad that you had better luck with your pieces!
Wow, that’s funny – I have the black capris (coincidentally I wore them to xfit this morning) and they’re not sheer at ALL! I totally agree with Suzanne’s description of the material (fitted but not necessarily compressive), and I love the calf detailing on them. So weird that you found them sheer – wonder if there were different batches? I bought mine about a year ago I think…
Hm, based on your comment compared with others, it makes me wonder if sample sale merch is second quality compared to what’s sold on the main site. I’ve wondered about that with other brands. Maybe that’s why they weren’t quite up to par.
I think you’re right. I’ve ordered yoga smoga pieces from ruelala and have been pleased with the quality. But for whatever reason, the quality of the crane and lion tights I received from them was very poor. Perhaps I’ll have better luck ordering directly from their site. Thanks for your amazing reviews as always!
Glad you got to try these & liked them! That blue color is pretty. I tried the same tee & tights last year and neither worked for me.
Yes I remember that post! I was crossing my fingers I didn’t have the same issues as you, so I was glad when they worked out. :)
I have these same pieces in the light blue top and periwinkle pant color from last year. No sheerness in my pair of tights at all. They do slip down but work nicely for my yoga class. They look like nice casual wear, which is good for versatility. AA, you make these look better than their stock photos!
Thanks! :) I’m glad you’ve liked your C&L stuff. I also appreciate that they look casual enough to get away with outside the gym.
I love the neutral color and length of them, but as a sz 8-10 with a pear-shape frame (lucky you, lol, for being a sz 0!): I’m disappointed the darting seams at the hips (and the one running through the center) came-off somewhat unflatteringly on a curvier figure (unless, with a really elongated sweatshirt paired over them!). They are comfy and thermal though; without having that typical “gymwear look”-finish to the material (which can otherwise make you feel as if you’re dressed awkwardly sloppy outside the gym if you literally live in athleisure!).