Speedo Quality Decline

[Endurance Lad]

Hi all, my name is Mike from Melbourne Australia. This is the first time I have posted on the revised speedo fantasy board (I used to post under the name Ozimica before changing that to Endurance Lad, based on my preference for the Speedo Endurance Brief). Some may recall. Some may not. Many won't care

I ventured out to a local shopping centre/mall that had recently been revamped to include some new department stores, one of which being called David Jones (the first one in my area). David Jones would be considered a premium end department store.

While there today I picked up a new hoodie/jersey for around the home as we head into the southern winter and I picked up a new Speedo Endurance brief. Being a premium department store I felt uneasy about trying a brief on and purchased based on my knowledge of my size, 16/34. Alas after paying $50.00 ($52USD) I come home and tried on my new brief and discovered it to be too big which was very disappointing (as you would well imagine). While I have a few Speedos in good condition there really is only one I feel comfortable swimming in.

One thing I learned

After assessing my small pile of briefs I have assessed that the narrower the hip-rise the larger the brief is in my collection. While a wider hip proved I owned a brief one size smaller (I never noticed this before).

On to topic

It was the QUALITY I was really disappointed with much more than me buying a size too big. This link is similar to the brief I boutght http://s.wiggle.co.uk/images/speedo-...941-ps-med.jpg

As I rummaged through my surviving collection, dating back to 2001, of Speedos made under the Endurance fabric style it was clear this latest purchase was just not the same fabric. Even indeed I compared to a brief I "rescued" from the change rooms (Ascot Vale) of a similar variety. The fabric just proves to be thinner. Much more light comes through (and this is a black brief). Finally the fabric has noticeably more give when you pull (stretch) at it.

Has anybody else noticed this?

If so has anybody found a happy alternative to the Speedo Endurance brief?

I might now try buying a skimpier one from the UK where "old faithful
came from. Australia proves to be a dumping ground for inferior imports of late. Case in point a $100 business shirt isn't anything like it used to be. Because of this I have finally been spurred the courage to begin buying clothing online ... If I have to buy crap products I am NOT paying through the nose for the privilege.

Any thoughts or input would be truly welcomed.

Mike
(Endurance Lad)

PS: My tag reference to Endurance Lad has nothing to do with the story of the Endurance Swimmer from STS which was a truly wonderful and well written piece.