Everywhere you look in Australia, there is iron oxidising to red. From the protective coatings on the ship hulls we see from our beaches, to the orange hued cliffs we look up at when swimming inland, it reminds us of the makeup of this land.
Here is how to wear that red as a one-piece swimming costume, if you are a modest and practical woman. There is no uncomfortable centre-seam and it is fully self-lined from the same heavy fabric, for all-over figure control.
Neckline
A subtle V-neck, bagged out for an elegant, seamless appearance.
Leg Line
We minimise gaping at the rear (a standard problem with boy-legs) by running tensioned rubber through the rear leg seam, then loosening the tension through the front leg for your comfort. Our boy-leg is slightly shorter than most, to do away with the need for any centre-back seam.
Features
- The leg line flatters any figure and is utterly modest.
- The elegant neckline is enhanced by the concealment of rubber, sandwiched between two equal weight layers of fabric.
- It is fully self-lined for the ultimate in figure control.
- Side darts have been added to allow for the bust and let the fabric do its thing with regards to support.
- O-rings and 8-sliders are rack plated and moulded, exclusively for Pride, to double as a decorative feature.
Constitution
- For the outer self fabric, as well as the lining, we use 190gsm Vita from Carvico in Milan. It is 78% Recycled Nylon and 22% Xtra Life Lycra. (See technical data from the Australian importer).
- All threads are UV and chlorine resistant polyester.
- For elasticity and endurance, 0.63mm thick and 8mm wide treated latex has been used throughout, i.e., the straps, across the neck, around the legs and across the back seam.
- All metal hardware is moulded exclusively for Pride. Electrostatic rack plating contains no heavy metals, for example cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, nickel or lead.
Credits
- Made in Byron Bay Australia.
- Design and prototyping by Steven Fleming
- Photos by Steven Fleming at The Blue Pool in Glenbrook in the lower Blue Mountains
About This Cut
Dolly Oakley of Wallsend, NSW, had 4 children and 10 grandchildren. One of those grandchildren now tailors luxury swimwear.
Ma didn't live to see this particular venture of mine, but would have bragged about it non-stop; she was indiscriminate in her praise for all our endeavours, no matter how grand or how trifling.
If she were alive, I know Ma would grin ear-to-ear at some of Pride's skimpier costumes. "That's what the young ones are wearing," she'd say. This style, Ma, with its modest leg line, and pretty V-neck, is in honour of you. If we thrived, it was from the love that you gave us.
Ma with my mum and my aunty, when she was a "young one" herself.