Diminishing choice of Aussiebum 1.5 classics

[Bede735]

I checked the Aussiebum website a few weeks back and noticed there was no royal blue in the 1.5" classic range. I wasn't that surprised as they have introduced a navy blue one.
However, when I checked the site tonight there's no longer one in black? Surely that's the most popular color in a swim suit? They have one of the suits in white, and there's no way I could wear one of them!

[Noah_Aussie]

I talked with the owner of Aussiebum, Sean Ashby about this and he said they have permanently discontinued the Classic 1.5 line of swimsuits!

I couldn't believe that they were discontinuing the suit that actually made them famous! When they came out with the 1.5, I bought every color! There was nothing like it from any other manufacturer, and they felt great!

I live in Japan where that incredibly skimpy style of swimsuit is very popular, and even used by many swim teams. When I wore teh Aussiebum 1.5 to the pool, nobody raised an eyebrow. However, when I was in the USA and wore it to a public pool, the pool manager actually came p to me and asked that I change onto a more conservative swimsuit...or leave!

So, I guess since the USA market is so important to Aussiebum, that may be why they discontinued it...just not enough demand.

Anyway, I live in Thailand now, and all of my Aussiebum suis now are pretty much played out now. BTW, I didn't know this until it was too late, but Aussiebum suits are made from 100% nylon Tricot fabric which is VERY chlorine unfriendly, and really only should be worn in non-chlorinated pools or in the surf.

The classic 1.5...I miss it so much now that I am making one custom-made! Living in Thailand it is very cheap to have a custom swimsuit handmade with a sewing machine very cheaply. I had a clothing designer make an exact sewing pattern for the suit very cheaply, and a small factory is going to make a prototype (hand-sewn) for not much more than what a new Aussiebum 1.5 sold for! If it turns out nice, maybe I'll start manufacturing them!

I mean, it's kind of ironic that Sean Ashby started Aussiebum because he was frustrated that Speedo no longer made the swimsuit he wore as a boy, and now I'm basically doing the same thing now that Aussiebum has done exactly what Speedo had done!

[Bede735]

That's grim. I have three Aussiebum 1.5 classics, which will have to last a long time. However, I find them durable. I've had the black suit for 5 years and it doesn't show any signs of decay.