Sue Rice

Marilyn - the world's most famous size 14?

2011-11-23T20:35:00.000-08:00

Marilyn Monroe was one of the most photographed women of the 20th Century. She personified beauty and glamour and that's why we named our classic - and most popular - tankini after her. Monroe was a size 14 with a healthy body weight. So when it came to Michelle Williams accepting the role of MM in a new feature, she had to put on a few kilos. When asked by Celebrity Health and Fitness what she appreciated about the 1950s Monroe fashion, Williams said: “I liked her kind of simplicity. She was so extraordinarily beautiful, but really quite unadorned.” And here's an image of our "Marilyn".

Aah Spring, Sculptures and the Sea

2011-11-03T22:10:00.000-07:00

Bondi to Tamarama coastline - has to be one of the world's most stunning outdoor art galleries. Each year for three weeks in November, around half a million Sydneysiders and visitors get to view inspiring sculptures whilst getting a bit of fresh air and invigorating walk.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-04/sculpture-by-the-sea/3629036

A Lesson in Airbrushing

2011-10-01T21:29:00.000-07:00

Airbrushing gets a reality check - from those as young as ten years old.

In London, pupils at Surrey Squary Primary School are taking part in body image lessons which are designed to improve confidence. How airbrushing techniques enhances the images of celebrities and models is one thing they’re learning by looking at before and after pictures such as these of Britney Spears.

See Michelle Clifford’s report: http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16079902

Swimwear Trends - inspired by yesteryear

2011-09-20T23:23:00.000-07:00

Sasha

One of our current range is Sasha featuring the flattering neckline reminiscent of the glamour of the fifties with cross-over, draped bustline and wide, soft halter.

Retro-inspired with lots of fabric, high waists, feminine necklines, glamour cover-ups and totally gorgeous. That's what we think about some of trends in swimwear on the international catwalks. Check out this slide show. http://www.stylebistro.com/Hot+Swimsuit+Trends+for+Summer+2011/articles/tUlnTHN-XJ4/Retro+Sweetheart

We used gingham in a similar way a couple of years ago with these swimsuits - we must have been ahead of the trend!

Body Image - Stories in the News

2011-09-08T23:34:00.000-07:00

The subject keeps coming up - in mainstream press, blogs, on tv chat shows and online chat rooms. A subject dear to our hearts - here are just some of the Body Image stories we've found interesting this week:

Positive Body Image Awards: even the Federal Government is on the bandwagon and will award. As Michelle Griffin wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald: Bring on the Real Women photo spreads: Australia’s glossiest images can now vie for the federal Government’s Positive Body Image Awards. http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/real-magazines-to-get-tick-of-approval-20110909-1k0ij.html

Mirror, Mirror Off The Wall: A year without mirrors - why? Kjerstin Gruys has decided NOT to look into a mirror or reflection for a year. The idea came from The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunats, about Italian nuns who lived with high regulation against vanity. And they've been some unexpected benefits for Ms Gruys - dip into her blog and discover why: http://www.ayearwithoutmirrors.com/

Perfectly Unperfected: Healthy is the New Skinny is an outreach program to address concerns of the results of research conducted by the National Eating Disorders Association US. Did you know:
• 91% of college women have attempted to control their weight through dieting.
• 81% of 10-year-old girls are afraid of being fat.
• 69% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported that magazine pictures influenced their idea of a perfect body shape.
• 41% of men are dissatisfied with their weight.
• 15% of people with anorexia or bulimia are male.
Find out more at: http://healthyisthenewskinny.com/

Bikinis and Beaches - Fun in Numbers

2011-08-30T23:17:00.000-07:00

1947 - the year Paula Stafford is credited with becoming the first Australian

manufacturer of bikinis. 400 - stores sold her bikinis by 1952.

10,685 - the number of beaches in Australia, as counted by the Coastal Studies Unit of University of Sydney. These beaches dot approximately 36,737 kilometres of coastline.

Number One – in the world for the beach with the whitest sand is Hyams’ Beach, south of Sydney.

40 – the number of solar cells in high-tech swimwear designed to charge your MP3 player and other small devises while you take in the sun. The Solar Bikini is custom ordered and is 80 hours in the making. PS this is one for those who don't want to get their toes wet! SolarCoterie.com.

Visit an art gallery in your swimsuit!

2011-08-25T22:42:00.000-07:00

There's something uplifting about having art out and about. There's something especially freeing about being able to appreciate art in your swimsuit! We find these inspiring, how about you?

Wendy Sharpe's multi-panelled mural of Australia's most famous 'mermaid' Annette Kellerman, poolside at Cook + Phillip Park in Sydney.

Sculpture by the Sea - in Bondi on the East coast and Cottesloe on the West coast - not to be missed.

And The Winner Is....

2011-08-07T22:28:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS ANGELA!

READ HER STORY HERE...

I'm have to start this story by pointing out that I'm a rather large busted small woman.

After having baby number 2 and finally dropping most of my baby weight I decided that I deserved a little indulgence and spotted a bargain at one of the Sue Rice sales - a gorgeous tankini with a zip at the front.

Unfortunately it was the end of the swimming season when my tankini arrived so it lay unused in my drawer until my youngest started swimming classes a few months later.

About the same time my youngest started swimming he also developed some new talents, one that included a fascination with clothes, and removing them... He learnt how to unzip his sleeping bag, how to unzip his all in one pjs, how to unzip and remove his jackets... His carer at day care had also informed me that he would often sit on her lap and wiles away his time zipping and unzipping her hoodie... my son, it seems has a thing for zippers....

Fast forward to Saturday swim classes... Usually, being a Saturday class dear Dad has the pleasure of accompanying master 1 into the swimming pool, but on this particular day I had somehow drawn the short straw.

It wasn't until I was getting ready that I reached into my draw and realised that I had a fabulous, brand new, Sue Rice tankini to get myself into. I have to admit that everything else flew out of my mind as I pulled on my new flattering swimsuit and admired myself in the mirror....

I was a little excited at the thought of showing off my new swimsuit as I swept my bundle of joy into my arms, and joined the Saturday class that consisted mostly of Dads and their bubs.

Less than 60 seconds after getting into the pool master 1 discovers my zipper......
z
z
z
z
z
zzzzzzzzzzip
and out they float - to squeals of delight from my youngest.

I can even begin to describe the horror. I felt like a porn star let loose at nursery school!

My son still has a thing for zippers.

Me? Not so much anymore!

My lovely tankini is in retirement for the foreseeable future!

The Twiggy Effect

2011-07-05T22:47:00.000-07:00

When Helen Mirren strutted on to an Italian beach wearing a red bikini, she drew admiring glances from across the globe.

Now the 65-year-old’s eye-catching fashion choices have been credited for giving women over 50 the confidence to try styles favoured by women half their age.

Researchers have found that just a third of women between 50 and 74 consider their age when they shop for clothes....

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2010971/The-Twiggy-effect-Women-50-dont-want-dress-age.html#ixzz1RIivZZZa

How Embarrassing

2011-07-04T22:27:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been absolutely mortified in a swimsuit? Do you have a horrifying memory that you thought you'd never have to speak of again? Is there a story that makes your cheeks turn pink while you go over it in your head?

If you answered yes then today is your lucky day (so you should probably go buy yourself a lottery ticket). We have decided that karma is on your side today and you deserve something special for this hair-raising, gasp-worthy, face-scrunching moment. All you have to do is share it.

Describe this moment to us. We know you are thinking: 'Why would I want to relive that mortifying day? Why would I tell people on Facebook about that particular thing? What is in it for me?'

Well, we'll tell you.

You could win a swimsuit that will ensure nothing like that will ever happen again! A swimsuit, for you and a swimsuit for your friend - to save your girlfriend from that very same situation. To the value of whatever you want!

If you like, you and your friend can come in to the store (if you're not overseas or interstate) and get personally fitted Sue Rice herself! Now that's special!

You can share your story anyway you like: You can write about it, you can send in a photo, a video, a drawing - anything you can think of! As long as you can put it on our Facebook page we don't mind!

To win: Simply get the most ‘Likes’! We’ll make your entry an image in our photo album ‘How Embarrassing’ and then the top 5 entries will go to our design house. From there the Sue Rice girls will choose their favourite and we’ll announce the winner on Facebook!

The competition closes on the 31st of July at 10.00pm.

So ladies, dig up those memories, don't spare the detail and share your story with the world!

All Hail Christina Hendricks!

2011-06-04T19:40:00.000-07:00

''Christina Hendricks thinks all the talk about her body is a little embarrassing. It’s not as if she has an extra limb, after all.'' - New York Magazine 2010.
We talk about celebrities, friends, frenemies and family that have 'slimmed down'. We talk about celebrities, friends, frenemies and family that have 'bigger bones' than last time we saw them. We talk about celebrities, friends, frenemies and family that are 'perfect'.
This time we're not talking, we're praising.
There is no doubt that Christina Hendricks should be applauded for her fiery, sexy, femme fatal role as Joan Harris in Mad Men but she should be praised for making other women comfortable. We love this body - in fact we love it so much we made an entire shop devoted to serving these fabulous feminine bodies!
So when this article came up in our Google Alerts we couldn't help ourselves - we had to create a Christina Hendricks shrine.

All Hail Christina Hendricks!

Black Friday Madness

2011-05-11T18:33:00.000-07:00

We have a surprise...
Your Favourite UNDERWIRE Tankini

HALF PRICE

4 DAYS ONLY from NOW

(ends Sunday May 15)

underwire D,DD & E tankini

Tamara/Superpants

for 4 days only is

HALF PRICE

WAS $224.00 NOW $112.00

Get in quickly to secure the colour and size of your choice-online and instore

Don't forget to Login to see the SALE price

Get your correct size here

Quick links Tankinis | Plus Size | Large Bust

Store location: 170 St Johns Road, Glebe, NSW, 2037
Open 7 days
02 9660 0488

Photo Competition

2011-05-02T00:02:00.001-07:00

WIN a Sue Rice Swimsuit of your choice.

This time YOU and YOUR FANS pick the winner!

To enter this competition all you need to do is email a photo to enquiries@suerice.com.au However to VOTE, you will need to be a member of Facebook. If you're not a member maybe one of your friends will let you use theirs?

TO ENTER:

1) FIND, CHOOSE or TAKE a photo of yourself in your favourite swimsuit! You can pick one from your family archives, from your blossoming teens, baby shots or from an exotic holiday - we don't mind if its old or new or shock/horror - another brand - gasp!!, as long as we can see how much fun you are having! (we will remove any dubious photos)

2) EMAIL it to us and we will put any emailed photos on the Wall. Alternatively, if you are already a Facebook user you can become a Fan, by Liking our Page, and post your photo on our Wall.

3) VOTE by "Liking" your favourite photo (see below for details). If you don't want to enter a photo, join in the fun and vote for your favourite. The photo entrant with the most "Likes" on May 31st WINS a Sue Rice swimsuit of their choice.

TO VOTE for your favourite photo:

Begin by clicking here to go to our Facebook. To vote you need to be a Facebook member, if you're not why not ask a friend?

Scroll through the "Wall" photos on this page

If you like the photo, click 'Like'. By clicking you vote for the photo!

Leave a comment if you wish, by typing in the 'write a comment...'box.

The more votes you get the better. It's in your hands so encourage your friends to 'Like' your photo because the photo with the most 'Likes' will win a Sue Rice swimsuit of their choice - up to any value!

If you have any difficulties entering or voting - please don't hesitate to call us, we understand how strange the world of Facebook can seem!

Good Luck!

Get Snapping!

Get 'Liking'!

The Barbie Debate Continues...

2011-04-28T18:21:00.000-07:00

For Templeton's Fury

Best Wishes,

SR

Pretty Amazing!

2011-04-27T21:12:00.000-07:00

Do Clothes Make the Woman?

2011-04-26T23:26:00.000-07:00

Watch the full episode. See more Need To Know.

This is such an interesting video. We wondered how they would feel in their swimsuit? SR

How To Lose Weight.

2011-04-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

There are many things wrong with Barbie (despite how much we may adore her and her designer wardrobe). We've all heard the facts before - if Barbie was real she'd have to:
a) walk on all fours (because she is far too top heavy)
b) have the majority of her organs removed
c) and have her bras custom made as her boobs are just so fabulously large

Barbie probably wouldn't be so attractive walking around Sydney's CBD like this.

We were reading articles on body-image today, and although all these well-known anti-Barbie stats are shocking - I think this takes the flour-less orange cake that is in our fridge:

WHEN BARBIE WENT FOR A SLEEPOVER SHE BROUGHT A...
Along with her pretty pink dressing gown and matching pink slippers Slumber Party Barbie never leaves her house without her toiletries bag. Your toiletries bag would probably have a toothbrush, toothpaste, some make-up and perhaps some face wash. Barbie's is perfectly equipped with pink hair rollers, pink mirror and PINK SCALES THAT READ 110 POUNDS AT ALL TIMES - but of course. And Barbie knows that 49 kilograms is an unacceptable weight to be she brings with her a red and yellow 'How To lose Weight' book.

After this we found Galia Slayen, an amazing young girl who built a life-size Barbie so create awareness about the severity of eating disorders. It's much more shocking when you see it in real life:

There is no doubt that Barbie would turn heads - What would you think if you saw Barbie walking down your street??

Would you wear a white bikini?

2011-04-10T18:15:00.000-07:00

So this is Dove's double page spread comprising of 'Real Women', women all shapes and sizes (sizes 8-16 to be precise). It is refreshing when you flip through the usual magazine filled of size nothings who make you want to skip lunch for the day, and suddenly see this - a bunch of real sized women! Bravo Dove.

However, we do notice something glaringly unreal, while conceding Dove wanted to use white for their campaign.......Real women probably wouldn't choose white bikinis. What do you think?

Best Wishes,

SR

Cake! Cake! Cake!

2011-04-06T14:00:00.000-07:00

We enjoy great coffee from next door and one to many gallons of tea everyday - it keeps us going! But nothing is more exciting than when Lisa or Sue bring in their special flourless Orange Cake. It is extremely yummy and very much sin free! Let us know if you'd like the recipe and we'll post it!

we can have our cake and eat it too!

Blogging about cakes is almost as fun as eating them but no where near as fun as googling funny cakes! We found this this afternoon - hilarious! Maybe we should make a flourless orange cake, shaped like this bikini babe, for our customers this saturday?

This has to be a joke...

2011-04-05T18:51:00.000-07:00

the cotton ball diet.
We don't know if you have all already heard of this, but we stumbled across this during our daily google today. This is no metaphor, women are actually eating cotton balls! Mainly before meals to fill themselves up so they can't eat as much! Not only would this taste bad, burn your digestive track, make you seem ridiculous, leave you entirely unsatisfied - you could possibly die aswell! Let's leave the cotton balls to the men hey ladies...

Slimsuit.

2011-04-03T23:35:00.000-07:00

We heard the phrase 'Diet in a Swimsuit' today.
We couldn't decide if we liked it or not.
Should we be working with what we've got or trying to hide it?
We've decided that this is a silly phrase - we should all be proud
to show, shake and shimmy in what our Mama's gave us.
Whether it be in a bikini, tankini, full piece or the nude!!
What do you think?

If Marilyn could do it so can we!

Drum Roll Please...

2011-03-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

Thankyou for all of your personal, frank and innovative responses! You made it hard for us to choose a winner, we have had such a enjoyable time reading everything that you want in a swimsuit. But there can only be one winner...

AND OUR COMPETITION WINNER IS:

A one piece beauty

sleek, sexy and black

a fitted bra

supportive straps

a vee neck front

high on the thigh

That's the suit

I'd love to try.

Elegant simplicity

Nothing less will suffice

And I'll be smiling

Because it's a Sue Rice.

Thankyou Benita, New York, USA
for your inspiring, creative and practical response! It made us all smile!
To claim your prize please email us at enquiries@suerice.com.au

Suetoons.

2011-03-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

We have always loved ourselves a good cartoon,

we use them everywhere - emails, the website, this blog. Here are some

that we found archived away on our big, slightly confusing computer.

Enjoy Ladies!

Best Wishes,

Introducing Kitty:

2011-03-27T22:38:00.000-07:00

This is Kitty,

She is our newest girl here at the Sue Rice Design House. As a fashion designer herself, we are more than excited to see what fresh and creative ideas she can bring to our designs!

So ladies meet our lovely Kitty,

Kitty meet our lovely ladies.

Best Wishes,

Unwrap Your Dream Swimsuit!

2011-03-24T22:49:00.000-07:00

scroll down to enter!

A doll that needs shaving? What the?

2011-03-22T21:56:00.000-07:00

Body Image Experts Discuss Shaving Doll: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com

At Sue Rice, we love hair, in any place. What do you think of this gals?

'Unwrap Your Dream Swimsuit' Competition.

2011-03-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

UNWRAP YOUR DREAM SWIMSUIT!

To enter, tell us in 50 words or less to let us know your deepest, dreamiest swimsuit wishes!

Do you like boy-legs? Zippers? Frills? Ruching? Simplicity? Black? Pink? Brown? Blue? Two-piece? One-piece? Bikini? Burkini? Spots? Stripes? Floral? Geometric?

Do you want to cover up? Expose all? Lift up? Hang out?

Be a Diva? Or Mother Theresa?

Let us know! Tell your friends!

If you comment on this post, you could win one free swimsuit of your choice, we mean it, you can choose one of anything that we have in stock! The most creative and practical response will win.

Entries Close: Thursday 31st of March

How To Enter:

Step One: Tell us in 50 words or less what your dream swimsuit is by commenting on THIS post.
(make sure to include your name, city and country)

Step Two: We will post the name, city and country of
the winner on April 1. If your details come up, email us your comment at enquiries@suerice.com.au
to claim your swimsuit!

if unclaimed within 24 hours we will pick another winner, so make sure you keep your eye out!

Why We Love Lisa:

2011-03-13T18:27:00.000-07:00

Lisa spends her days upstairs cutting away,

with her iPod in most of the day.

However when she hears a scream from downstairs,

she knows to run down, a bowl and paper she prepares.

She sees Georgia in the corner scared and squealing,

but she doesn't flinch 'because spiders have feelings'.

SWIMSUITS FROM $20!

2011-03-06T21:43:00.000-08:00

Sue Rice SALE NOW ON

Lights, Camera, Swimwear!

2011-02-20T16:44:00.000-08:00

It's always so exciting when we get to shoot a bunch of
new styles! We love getting our girls in and spending
the day in the studio! We just found these photos from
a 2009 shoot!

Hair and Make-Up with Kelly!

There's nothing quite like a Sue and Alana

tea break!
(see models eat too)

See girls, even models Lisa

need a bit of adjusting!

Love SR

Happy Birthday to Us!

2011-01-11T18:14:00.000-08:00

IT'S OUR 29TH BIRTHDAY!

Well it has been a long and winding road and today we celebrate 29 years of designing swimsuits that fit women of all shapes and sizes. We're busy planning 2011 with thoughts of a retro collection and revamping some of our classic styles in new colours and patterns. But before we go to far into the future we thought it was time to look back.

How did we get to be here?

The impetus to start the whole thing off came when Sue, dissatisfied with what was on the market, made herself a crocheted red bikini and wore it down to Brighton beach in Melbourne. Beach goers were enamoured with her design asking where they could get themselves such a piece.

Sue started designing swimsuits for her friends and eventually enrolled in a textiles course. When she got sick of trying to think of different names for carpet colours, she re-enrolled in a pattern making course. When she was done she conceived her own swimwear label Sue Rice, which she created and sold from her friend's garage.

As more people became interested in her degigns, Sue decided to move to Sydney and make a life for herself as a swimwear designer. Things steamrolled and before long she had opened shops up and down the east coast and was stocked all over the country.

In the midst of it all she expanded her business to include made-to-measure swimwear, a practice she is well remembered for. We still have many customers coming in asking for the service (which we ceased 15 years ago).

When family life and life more generally needed to take a bigger priority in Sue's life she downsized. Thanks to the advent of the blessed internet, women all over the world can still buy Sue Rice designs and those who live close by can still visit our design studio come retail store in Glebe, Sydney for personal fittings and to meet Sue herself who still works there as sole designer.

Sue, in that first red bikini, windsurfing where it all began: Brighton Beach, Melbourne.

Love SR

A Litte Sue Rice Christmas History

2010-12-25T18:30:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS GIRLS.

We've been looking through old photos and we have

put together a mini Sue Rice Christmas history. We

love when Christmas time comes around and we

all go to our favourite restaurant, The Mixing Pot, just

up the road from us. We take a photo every year and

we'd like you all to meet our fabulous girls both past

and present:

Christmas '04: Lisa, Dawn, Julie and Sue

Chrismas '05: Lisa, Sue, Zoe, Trent

and Dawn.

Chistmas '06: Zoe, Trent, Sue and Lisa

Christmas '07: Dawn, Zoe, Charlie,

Trent, Lisa, Sue

Christmas '08: Lisa, Dawn, Trent, Sue

and Georgia

Christmas '09: Donna, Zoe, Sue,

Georgia and Lisa

Christmas '10: Kat, Elly, Georgia,

Sue and Lisa

Where were you born?

2010-12-13T19:34:00.000-08:00

There's not many of us left - we thought you'd like

to know we are proudly Australian born and bred.

Latte or Late?

2010-11-04T17:09:00.000-07:00

Georgia comes to work every morning, at one minute to ten, with a latte in one hand and her favourite: vegemite on toast in the other.

What is your morning sin?

Love SR

Your Lounge Room Change Room.

2010-09-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

We made our first Skype call today! We brought the change room to a cosy home in Brooklyn, New York - it was so much fun!

This NY doll will look great in her Sasha/Kia!

Love SR

Yoko Legsuit

2010-07-21T17:16:00.001-07:00

Our new collection which will be coming in over the next few months features many new fantastic options for great thigh coverage. Yoko is the first, and with its cut out holes (back and front) and closed in straps for maximum movement, Yoko is adorable and perfect for exercise.

New Maternity Range

2010-04-20T23:34:00.000-07:00

At Sue Rice Swimwear, we know what women want in Maternity swimsuits.

Coverage and Support, Pants with contoured shaping that accommodate and support a full-term belly,Tops long enough to cover the full-term belly,Selection of styles that can possibly be worn after the baby is born,Bust support including large cup sizes, gentle powernet or underwire,Flattering styling.

Sue Rice has been designing for REAL women for over 20 years. Sue has two children of her own and developed the shapes of these swimsuits while she was pregnant, so she knows they work. She also tailor-made swimsuits for 7 years giving her an unparalleled knowledge about the challenges women face with their figures while pregnant and post pregnant. She incorporates that knowledge into all her Sue Rice maternity swim suits.

Sue knows how hard it is to find flattering maternity bathing suits, so she put together a collection of stunning styles to flatter you as you fully flower.

Visit our Maternity Shop for more information.

Chlorine Resistance

2010-03-23T21:07:00.000-07:00

You wouldn't wear a ballgown to the office, would you? It's the same as wearing your beach bathing suit in the pool. It's just not done!

In such a sunny, sports oriented environment as Australia and the US, we still expect our lycra swimsuit to last in chemically treated pools and spas. And why not! We are so technologically advanced to develop computer chips and send robots into space, we should be able to wear our swimsuit in the pool one day and the beach the next. Right?

Wrong! The sad fact is that despite all the technological advances that the inventors of lycra, Du Pont, have made, the swimsuit still ends up looking like a thin, shapeless sack often after only a few exposures to chlorinated water in swimming pools. The effects are even more dramatic when the heat factor of the spa or heated public pool is added to the cocktail.

Back in the 1930's, Dunlop chemists developed "Lastex" to replace heavy boning and lacing in corsetry. It found it's way into swimsuits but zips and shirring were still used to retain the corset-like appearance. The invention of elastomeric fibres such as lycra revolutionised lingerie and swimwear eliminating the need for zips due to it's superior shape retention. The fibre was knitted into nylon, polyester or cotton in a unique way to gain maximum stretch and shape retention. Yet to this day, chlorine still defeats it, perishes it, destroys it.

Nevertheless, looks like chlorine is here to stay. The greenish-yellow gas, named in 1810 after the Greek word for green; khloros, quickly became one of the world's most effective disinfectants. According to the Chlorine Chemistry Council, "it bonds with and destroys the outer surfaces of bacteria and viruses".

Today it plays a role in over 10,000 products from surfboards and tennis rackets to deoderants and perfumes. It forms the basis of 85% of the world's pharmaceuticals and it "purifies" much of the world's drinking water. Is it any wonder it is used as the principle disinfectant in swimming pools worldwide?!

It's also cheap to make. North America alone produces 12 million tons of chlorine per year. There's no doubt that it seems to produce a number of benefits. We don't suffer from typhoid and cholera any more. But what is the ubiquitous chlorine really doing to us?

Remember the green plastic hair we had as kids after a summer of swimming. And those burning eyes! If the swimsuit is perishing, what is it doing to the health of the person wearing the bathing suit? Recent research suggests that exposure to chlorine in pools may cause breathing trouble.

And what about our drinking water.... According to the National Cancer Institute in the US: "drinking chlorinated water may as much as double the risk of bladder cancer". Obviously drinking swimming pool water is definitely not a good idea.

Much of the problem in pools and the strong "chlorine smell" we associate with public swimming pools is caused by "chloromines", substances which form when chlorine reacts with sweat, urine and other contaminants. YUK! The remedy....add a megadose of chlorine to burn away the chloramines. More bad news for swimsuits.

So now we know we need 2 swimsuits. Natural salt water at the beach does not have the destuctive power of chlorine.

Keep your best lycra bathing suit as that... it's best. Don't take it to the pool!

But are we to resign ourselves to replacing our dedicated pool swimsuit every few months? No way! Luckily at last, recent technology has come out of denial, thought laterally, and taken the lycra out of the fabric. Knit technology has been used to invent a fabric with stretch and retention almost as good as lycra to make a truly chlorine resistant fabric.

Now you can be confident that your swimsuit will last if you're a swimming teacher, a spa freak, a lap lady, into aquaerobics, teaching baby to swim, or just plain lazy about rinsing your lycra swimsuit. Get into the new chlorine resistant swimwear You'll need one to add to your swimwear wardrobe if you're a Beach Babe and a Pool Princess.

About the Author Sue Rice has been a designer and retailer of beautiful womens bathing suits and swimsuits for over 20 years.

2010-02-08T15:39:00.000-08:00

We are having a massive sale! 50% - 70% off over 20 of our best one pieces, tankinis, bikinis, coverups and accessories. Sign up as a VIP and then visit the VIP Sale Shop to grab a bargain!

The Swimdress

2009-12-13T20:25:00.000-08:00

The Swimdress enjoys a proud place in the history of the evolution of swimwear. It is claimed that the style was first spotted in the Orthodox Jewish community, who created it in order to achieve the twin desires of modesty and looking fabulous.

Over the course of the long history of the swimdress, the style has become shorter and sassier. The style is very popular amongst plus size women and is also often sported by ladies who want that adorable retro swimsuit look.

A very comfortable and stylish alternative to board-shorts, the swimdress is a cute and girly way to cover up the top of the thigh. Waxing is a non-issue with this style (a huge plus for many of us!) Unlike many styles of board-shorts, the skirted nature of the swimdress doesn't cling to the widest point of the leg, making it more flattering and easier to wear.

Our swimdress is called Sarina. Made from our robust Chlorine Resistant fabric, this little number has great bust support, is fully lined and incredibly flattering. Check it out here.

Penny + Sam

2009-12-08T20:36:00.000-08:00

Meet our newest bikini. Penny + Sam is our newest bikini featuring adorable pleating over the bust and pant. Includes excellent powernet bust support for uplift and shaping and a clip back. Penny Sam is fully lined. Penny + Sam is made in our new shiny lycra, with just the slightest hint of shimmer and sparkle.

Suitable for Busts: A, B, C

Sizes: 10, 12, 14 & 16

Price: AUD$199 (US Price approx $155 for all other prices see here)

Rebecca + Superpants

2009-10-26T20:26:00.000-07:00

Rebecca is the newest creation from the Sue Rice design studio. Our long awaited bandeau tankini is based on our previous one piece Renee but more versatile in a tankini style. Rebecca features wide elasticised edge for a firm hold, powernet bust support for uplift and shaping, side boning in bra, optional detachable halter spaghetti straps, Front lined. Red bow detail on Black/Gingham only. Paired with our best selling Superpants which feature no elastic on the waist for a smooth look. They won't grab at soft flesh!Sizes: 10, 12, 14, & 16Busts: Suitable for B, C & D Cup SizesPrice for Set: AUD$210 USD$163.80 (US price is approximate)Not sure of your size? Take out the guess work with our Size Calculator. We ship all over the world, visit our Currency Selector to work out what Rebecca/Superpants costs where YOU live. Remember that if its not right, you can send it back for a refund (minus postage) or exchange. See our Online Returns Policy for more details.
Rebecca in Black/Painted Tulips

In Painted Tulips/Black Rebecca will transform you into one striking, classy & sassy lady. This pattern features gold foil.
Rebecca in Black/Gingham

In Black/Gingham with a sweet little Red Bow, Rebecca will ensure you are the most adorable gal at the beach.
Patterns

2009-10-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

Paris

Soft Flowing Georgette Caftan. Features soft, draped hood, gentle V-neckline with french seams inside,side splits. After something fabulous to slip on and off at the pool or beach? Well then Paris is the perfect cover-up for you. So comfortable and beautiful Paris will roll to fit neatly into your handbag.

Click here or on any of the pictures for more information or to buy now.

Wear Paris at the beach or slip it over a camisole for day wear!

Sizes: One size fits sizes 10-24

Price: AUD$89 USD$69.42(US Price is approximate)

Colours:

Calls for health warnings on digitally enhanced photos!

2009-10-02T02:08:00.000-07:00

"Retouched photograph aimed at changing a person's physical appearance".

This is the health warning campaigning MP Valerie Boyer would like to see displayed on all airbrushed photos.

Mrs Boyer wants to "combat the stereotypical image that all women are young and slim."

She believes the law should be expanded to include "Billboard photos and those on product packaging, as well as photos used in political campaigns or artistic photos"

The fine for enhancing a photo without displaying a warning would be 30.000 Euros or 50% of the cost of the advertising campaign.

Mrs Boyer wanted to make it clear, that this was "...not an attempt to damage creativity of photographers or publicity campaigns, but to advise the public on whether what they are seeing is real or not."

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk

PeggySue

2009-09-29T23:29:00.000-07:00

Time to meet PeggySue!

PeggySue is our adorable new country-glam Tankini. PeggySue features pretty peasant style bra with small keyhole and frills being pulled in that can be adjusted, powernet bust support for uplift and shaping, fully lined.

Paired with our famous Superpants, featuring elastic-free waist for a smooth look. Won't grab at soft flesh.

Price for Set: AUD$194 USD$151.32 (US price is approx)

Price for Top Only: AUD$149 USD$116.22 (US price is approx)

Suitable for Busts: B, C & D

Sizes: 10, 12, 14, 16 & 18

Not in Australia or America? We ship all over the world, visit our Currency Selector for more prices around the world.

Black & Gingham

PeggySue is Country Sleek
in classic Black and Gingham. Unbeatably elegant with more than a hint of adorability!

This fabulous combo will never go out of style.

Henna & Cola

In Henna and Cola, PeggySue will make you the ultimate earth girl.

Rich Henna is contrasted with sweet bubbly Cola to make for a beautifully subdued look.

An excellent choice if you want to move away from black.

Pesto & Cider

In crisp, slightly sparkly Pesto contrasted with warm bubbly Cider, this PeggySue will make jumping in the water simply irresistable. If you're a colour fiend PeggySue in Pesto and Cider is the one for you.

Be quick! Limited stock in this fabulous combo.

Pair your PeggySue with a beautiful matching Magic Long Sarong.

Magic Long Sarongs are available in loads of colours, including Black, Henna and Pesto.

These Sarongs are made out of the same fabric as the swimsuits, so they can be taken in the water for a little splash about.

The perfect way to make a versatile outfit you can comfortably wear poolside or at the beach for all those fabulous non-swimming activities like post swim coffee, beach picnic or cocktails at the resort.

Magic Long Sarongs can also be worn over the shoulders for great sun protection.

One size, which is best suited to sizes 12-18. Features easy pull-through tie and ring for adjustable closure. Approximately knee length.

Magic Long Sarong - AUD$79 USD$61.62 (US price is approx).

If you like these colours and patterns, then make sure you check out Adele, also available in Henna+Cola and Pesto+Henna. Two different Bust sizes for B, C & D and DD & E. Up to size 18. You can order Adele as a Halterneck or Crossover (see right).

Adele+ Superpants - AUD$199 USD$155.22 (US price is approx)

Swimwear & Body Shape

2009-09-23T19:14:00.000-07:00

In over 25 years experience fitting real women from all over the world, Sue Rice has worked out that the most flattering swimsuits are those which support, hide or divert the observers eye away from the perceived problem area.

Below are 6 of the most common body types.

Large busts need extra-strong support:

underwire or
softer control-mesh shaping, and
coverage at the side-armhole

so that you're not spilling out. Click to go to the Bust Support Shop now.

Average bodies have that enviable well–proportioned bodyshape, usually similar measurements for bust and hips.

We have lots of styles to suit you. Check out our One Piece Shop by clicking on the image at left. Also check out our Bikini Shop and Tankini Shop for more suggestions.

Hippy girls need a few tricks and optical illusions to bring balance to the figure.

You can do this by directing the eye of the observer to your figure assets, by using some clever styling tricks.

Click and hop into the Hip Shop for some ideas.

Long bodies want swimsuits that don’t ride up or pull down on the shoulders. This is not only uncomfortable but it tends to flatten the bust too.

Of course, any two–piece (bikini or tankini) would be suitable.

Click here to discover some solutions to these problems.

Smaller busted girls young or more mature, tend to want to be fuller or boosted up to give the illusion of a larger bust. Padded cups and gathering can help give the illusion you are after. Alternatively, a sleek unpadded style can look great.

Click to go to the Small Bust Shop for suggestions.

Soft and/or big tummies go hand in hand with life and it’s changes. Many women say that their tummies have never been the same since they had children. But don’t despair...help is at hand.

See styles that lift and support by clicking here.

New Glamour Tankini 1950's Inspired

2009-09-22T21:58:00.000-07:00

Celeste + Superpants

Have you ever wanted to be a mermaid? Or perhaps a 1950's pin-up girl? Now you can, in our stunning new tankini Celeste.

Celeste features...

Flattering and feminine cross-over bustline, with built in powernet bust support for uplift and shaping provides great support and looks adorable.

Beautiful retro soft halter creates a stunning neckline, and echoes the fashions of bygone fashionistas.

Extra long ruched top is adjustable in length and does a fabulous job of flattering the tummy and hips.

Paired with our famous Superpants, which feature an elastic free waist for an unbeatably smooth line.

Suitable for Busts: B, C & D
Sizes: 10, 12, 14, & 16
Price for Set: AUD$210, USD$163.80 (US price is approx)
Price for Celeste Top Only: AUD$165, USD$128.70 (US price is approx)
Colours:

Julie Goodwin wears Sue Rice

2009-09-15T21:56:00.000-07:00

Check out Sue's latest press release about Plus Size Swimwear.

Julie Goodwin, Australia's first masterchef, and a size 18, models Sue Rice's swimsuit with a new level of confidence. Suerice.com.au increases size range of her collection and offers an innovative way for plus size women to buy swimwear online.

Click Here to read on.....

Plus Size Swimwear

2009-09-06T21:39:00.000-07:00

As we've been discussing, purchasing a new swimsuit can be nothing short of a trial. If you wear a plus size, then the process is just so much harder, because there really isn't a lot of swimwear out there which fits and (shock horror) you might actually like.

We completely understand this, which is why we have a Plus Size Shop on our website, dedicated to swimwear for size 18+

We have just created a new tankini set called Betty+Brie, which is one of our best plus size designs to date. With a gorgeous long, loose top and high pants with extra panelling this swimsuit was designed based on feedback we've had from you and fitted on many of our fabulous plus size clients who all agree that it is the most flattering piece they've ever worn.

Betty+Brie is the first swimsuit we've ever made in a 24, we hope you love her!

Check Betty+Brie out here.

Top 10 Swimsuit Shopping Tips

2009-09-01T23:54:00.000-07:00

Congratulations!

You have decided to embark on a devastatingly painful, heartbreaking, humiliating, alcohol & binge-eating inducing, relationship & soul destroying, sweaty gymnastics of body contortionism that is selecting your new summer swimsuit.

Seriously, we get it. I'm not kidding. WE GET IT! Buying a swimsuit isn't fun. It is worse than buying jeans, which is universally awful.

It was recently when a woman told me that she had spent longer deliberating over her last swimwear purchase than she did over BUYING A CAR. And it was then that I thought...ENOUGH!

Read the whole article

'Click the Share button to create links to this email on popular social networking and bookmarking size like Facebook, Twitter, and Digg.'

2009-09-01T21:32:00.001-07:00

Now you can view Sue Rice email newsletter archives in case you missed out on any news. See them here

New Collection Chlorine Resistant Accessories

2009-08-23T17:37:00.000-07:00

We have recently created a brand new collection of Chlorine Resistant Accessories and Coverups.

They are designed to accompany our new range of gorgeous Chlorine Resistant Swimwer.

CHECK THEM ALL OUT HERE

More Lycra Strips in ACTION

2009-08-05T18:49:00.000-07:00

More hingey than a hinge.

Feminise your eletrical cables AND keep them orderly. They're almost as cute as the dog now.

Does your ironing board cover ride up and off? Sue's doesn't.

Sue Rice's Incredible Lycra Strips

2009-07-27T19:17:00.000-07:00

For only $2.00 - You’ll find a million and one uses for these INCREDIBLE LYCRA STRIPS. Once stretched, they curl and become longer and stronger. Approx 7 assorted colours/prints in each pack.

PRETTIER than ribbon
STRONGER than rope
EASIER TO HANDLE than sticky tape
MORE FLEXIBLE than wire
GENTLER on hair
MORE FORGIVING on plants than gardening twisties
LONGER LASTING than a rubber band
CUT it, PLAIT it, TWIST it, STRETCH it, BIND it, WRAP it.

Check out some of places we're using our lycra strips right now.

Sasha Loves her Lycra Strip Bow, and is so content with how fresh her doggy biscuits stay, when fastened with a Sue Rice Lycra Strip!

Lycra Strips are perfect Hair-ties, Key Rings & Ribbon.

Lycra Strips in the Natural World...

Lycra Strips are More Handy than your Fix-it Man

Chlorine Resistance

2009-07-21T17:44:00.000-07:00

You wouldn't wear a ballgown to the office, would you? It's the same as wearing your beach bathing suit in the pool. It's just not done!

In such a sunny, sports oriented environment as Australia and the US, we still expect our lycra swimsuit to last in chemically treated pools and spas. And why not! We are so technologically advanced to develop computer chips and send robots into space, we should be able to wear our swimsuit in the pool one day and the beach the next. Right?

Wrong! The sad fact is that despite all the technological advances that the inventors of lycra, Du Pont, have made, the swimsuit still ends up looking like a thin, shapeless sack often after only a few exposures to chlorinated water in swimming pools. The effects are even more dramatic when the heat factor of the spa or heated public pool is added to the cocktail.

Back in the 1930's, Dunlop chemists developed "Lastex" to replace heavy boning and lacing in corsetry. It found it's way into swimsuits but zips and shirring were still used to retain the corset-like appearance. The invention of elastomeric fibres such as lycra revolutionised lingerie and swimwear eliminating the need for zips due to it's superior shape retention. The fibre was knitted into nylon, polyester or cotton in a unique way to gain maximum stretch and shape retention. Yet to this day, chlorine still defeats it, perishes it, destroys it.

Nevertheless, looks like chlorine is here to stay. The greenish-yellow gas, named in 1810 after the Greek word for green; khloros, quickly became one of the world's most effective disinfectants. According to the Chlorine Chemistry Council, "it bonds with and destroys the outer surfaces of bacteria and viruses".

Today it plays a role in over 10,000 products from surfboards and tennis rackets to deoderants and perfumes. It forms the basis of 85% of the world's pharmaceuticals and it "purifies" much of the world's drinking water. Is it any wonder it is used as the principle disinfectant in swimming pools worldwide?!

It's also cheap to make. North America alone produces 12 million tons of chlorine per year. There's no doubt that it seems to produce a number of benefits. We don't suffer from typhoid and cholera any more. But what is the ubiquitous chlorine really doing to us?

Remember the green plastic hair we had as kids after a summer of swimming. And those burning eyes! If the swimsuit is perishing, what is it doing to the health of the person wearing the bathing suit? Recent research suggests that exposure to chlorine in pools may cause breathing trouble.

And what about our drinking water.... According to the National Cancer Institute in the US: "drinking chlorinated water may as much as double the risk of bladder cancer". Obviously drinking swimming pool water is definitely not a good idea....

Click Here to read the full article....

Glebe

2009-07-07T18:06:00.000-07:00

In the early days, when we were thinking about retail, we decided that the inner city suburb of Glebe was a great place to set up business. Why? Glebe is 2 km as the crow flies to the centre of Sydney city and 10 minutes by the 470 bus. We liked Glebe not only because of its convenient location but because of its relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

From 1986 – 1998, we occupied the south east corner of the Bridge Road and Ross Street intersection. 11 years later, we moved over to the south west corner of the same intersection. This building had a prominent façade but smaller display windows. "Put the swimsuit on the outside" we said. So we called our friend Rodney, the mural painter, who brought over his scaffolding and paint brush. Anna our lovely machinist (who now lives in Perth) kindly posed for him and the famous painting emerged. "Anna" soon became a landmark with Sydney taxi drivers who affectionately referred to the building as "Sue Rice corner". It had the desired effect…. our customers had no problem finding us from then on

Click here to read the full article.....

Thanks for all your entries!

2009-07-06T21:53:00.000-07:00

We recently had a competition which was won by Rebecca (see earlier post). But we really did get so many amazing entries, and I wanted to share some of them with you. This fantastic entry comes from Chris Acosta - thanks so much Chris!

Thanks Sue Rice For My CRYSTAL BALL
After having my first child and jumping from a size 10 to a size 14, with a belly and no luck of the weight coming off despite trying to walk and breast-feeding. I can vouch that losing weight whilst breast-feeding is a myth having done it for 2 years straight, working for some it definitely doesn't work for everyone!!!In search of clothes at reasonable prices online for breast-feeding mothers to accommodate for my post baby body i came across a very promising "Sue Rice" and was intrigued by the Tummy Shop and it catering for women with different body types including big boobs (BIG MILK FILLED BOOBS) - and they were having a sale, being uneasy about buying the costume i wanted as it was close to $200 and despite the fabulous reviews i have had many disappointing orders i previously bought from other companies online. So i bought one for sale for $50 and hoped for the best! It came, and I tried it on but I must have made a bad online decision because i felt a bit like Grimace in my purple costume, kicking myself for not going for the ones in the Tummy Shop, So i thought I'd come in and actually try some on, as the Sue Rice store was only 20minutes away.

Selecting a few potentials i was happily surprised at how nice I looked... feeling like these costumes brought me into some sort of Post-Baby time machine... my tummy was gone and i had a nice sexy looking shape... oooh la la ... the styles and colours seemed endless, i couldn't make a decision... I must have been in the change room for an hour, I couldn't take my eyes off myself!! Hahaa.... Going into the shop was the best thing I could have done, there were better buys and it brought my confidence back. I realised that the cut and design can have a large impact on how it looks on your body whereas i thought that it was just my body!!!

My favourite was the Crystal/Superpants I couldn't decide between red and blue. I came out of the change room with Crystal/Superpants, Emma/Superpants, Arena/Eros, Natasha and another. Placing them all on the counter, secretly wanting to buy all of them!
I then spotted the Crystal/Superpants in WHITE --- scary white!!! ... I hadn't had the confidence to where white pre-baby... but my oh my, something came over me in Sue Rice because I was back in the change room looking at how fabulous I looked in white!!! ... I had to get it, and i got the Emma, Arena, Natasha sets as well.

The Crystal however is my absolute favourite. I love it being strapless and supportive!!! ... I don't have to worry about tan lines, and the ruching is fabulous for my belly I've even worn it as a top, I can't get enough of it... and am seriously thinking about buying a couple more... LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU SUE RICE!!!

What is happening to bra sizes?

2009-07-06T18:46:00.001-07:00

Have you noticed that lately, bra sizing has taken on a life of it's own. Suddenly, what used to be called a DD cup can now be referred to as an F,E or DDD, and an E cup can now be a G, H, I or J.

What could be more confusing?

When I started designing swimwear some 25 years ago, DD seemed to be the largest bust size in existence. Maybe I just didn't notice because I was a mere B cup and DD's weren't yet on my design agenda.

Since then I have fitted thousands of women of all shapes and sizes. Up until only a few years ago,E cup was the largest size I encountered with the exception of one woman who I'll call Milly, who came to me in great distress because she couldn't find a swimsuit to fit her breast size. She'd only found one bra to fit her which was a "G" cup. She had the largest bosom I had ever seen and to this day, she still wins the prize.

My point is that nowadays, I encounter women on a daily basis that say they are F's, G's and even J cups and they aren't as big as Milly was. Somewhere along the line, cup sizes have gone haywire. Breasts have NOT suddenly increased in size! Only the names of the size.....

Click here to read the full article

Competition Winner - Rebecca Stepaniak

2009-07-01T22:04:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Breasts

I used to have beautiful breasts..sigh. In my younger days, I had perky generous C breasts that were often mistaken for implants. Three children and, I am loathe to admit, a few too many milkshakes later (for the cravings, of course), I have saggy, baggy, squishy, gigantic boobs. Gone is the perkiness, gone the beautiful cleavage, gone the ability to fit into any swimsuits (or tops at all for that matter-have you thought of expanding your business?). Although I am overweight, my main problem is my disproportionate breasts which are now a size DD to E or G depending on who you ask. Did you know that standard bathing suits are made with size B to maybe C cups, even in larger sizes? All would be tolerable in the dressing room, after stuffing the offending parts of my body in, and I would delude myself and make the purchase. Then we would make a bathing-suit-required trip. There I would be, in my deluded bliss, until I moved. At which point I would look down, to my horror, and find half if not all of my breast hanging out. Now I am not the modest type, but there are lines in the sand... I am an accomplished Internet shopper (if there were only careers in such things!) and so this is where I turned. Unfortunately, Google "suits for large breasts" or some such variation, and you will find innumerable sites for the Barbie doll woman. There you can buy teeny tiny pieces of fabric (otherwise termed bikinis) in separate pieces-say a size 2 bottom and a washcloth-cut-in-two-pieces for your DD top. I wish. I even purchased a "Miracle Suit" on another site but alas there are no miracles to be had, unless you count the miraculous way my boobs oozed out of every available opening. Finally I came across Sue Rice. I dutifully went through the size calculator and ordered a 14 DD Marilyn suit. Our next trip to the beach was finally enjoyable. I could alter positions on the lounge chair without fear. Heck, I could play in the pool with my kids. I could run...okay, that is still a dangerous proposition both in terms of bodily injury to me and for the unfortunate onlookers. My Marilyn suit saved me from having to sit pool side in a hideous upper body tent of some sort. I feel good in that suit. I just wish I had more colors....

Rebecca Stepaniak

30 something Mom of 3 boys

Portland, OR, USA

Congratulations Rebecca! You are the winner of a new Sue Rice Swimsuit of your choice! Perhaps you can get Marilyn in another colour after all....

Wonderful World

2009-07-01T18:25:00.000-07:00

Here at Sue Rice we sell our swimsuits all over the globe. We recently sent a Marilyn+Superpants all the way to Kyrgyzstan. Packing up swimsuits in little blue tissue paper, writing a love note, sealing them with a Sue Rice sticker and knowing that in a few days they'll be in New York or Paris or provicial Kyrgyzstan makes the world feel very small sometimes. I recently stumbled upon this - which reminded me that it's not. But sometimes it is....

Beautiful Kyrgyzstan.

Read Print

2009-07-01T17:55:00.001-07:00

Ok admittedly this has nothing to do with swimwear.... but it is a pretty cool resource. Thousands of canonical texts online for free - and not written in wing-dings or obscured within a terrifying sea of animated smiley faces. No this is bonefied. I just started reading The Water-Babies. This is amazing - and of course if you don't want to go blind you can just print it. Ok it's not that pretty, but who cares! I imagine this makes searching for a quote much easier too - with the simple 'find' tool. Have fun reading!

Maritime Museum Swimwear Exhibition

2009-07-01T17:34:00.000-07:00

I am very excited about the Maritime Museum's new exhibition The Story of Swimwear which showcases the history of Australian Swimwear in a global context.

The evolution of swimwear is fascinating (see our article) and I can't wait to see these swimsuits through time in the flesh. Adding dimension to the project, the team at the Maritime Museum have been working with 2nd year fashion design students from the University of Technology Queensland - who mark their progress in a great blog.

The exhibition runs from 2nd July - 25th October, South Gallery, Maritime Museum.

Fat-shionistas

2009-06-30T20:26:00.000-07:00

Renata Espinosa recently posted a fantastic article in The Daily Beast which included a fantastic slide show of plus size models (click on this picture to see).

Excerpt from Espinosa's Article:

"One of the things that makes me insane is that somehow the fashion industry decided there can only be one fat chick receiving favorable media attention. We're fat, we're not the Highlander. There can be more than one,” says Rhiannon Gammill, an Austin, Texas-based writer who now blogs for Manolo for the Big Girl. “I want the woman who can say ‘This is who I am, you don't have to like me and you don't have approve of me, but I've been to this pony show before and this time I'm getting what I want. I've got one voice, two chins, and more style than should be allowed by law and I'm not apologizing for any of it’ and then, I don't know, puts her cigarette out on her arm.”

CLICK HERE for full article.

Sue Rice has a fantastic collection of flattering Plus Size Swimsuits (including Abigail see below).

The Cancer Blog

2009-06-30T20:02:00.000-07:00

I just stumbled across this excellent blog http://www.thecancerblog.com/

Turn it Inside Out

2009-06-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

What exactly is going on with a swimsuit that looks amazing, one that seems to transform your figure?

Just like your body, a book, a car, anything really - it's what's happening on the inside that really counts.

This swimsuit is called "Abigail" - and it is probably the best option we have for flattening the tummy and minimising the bust. As you can see from this inside out picture, Abigail is fully lined. This extra layer of fabric really helps to hold everything in place.

Then there is underwire in the bra - in either a DD or E cup option. Underwire is seriously hard to beat in terms of providing support for a large bust. The armholes are high and the shoulder straps are thick. This ensures maximum bust support and minimisation - you won't get any spillage near the armpits or the top of the chest.

Now observe the tummy. A taut netting called "powernet" stretches across the tummy. This is the same kind of technology we often use for bust support. The effect is positively flattening. the net holds your tummy in nicely (without feeling like a corset).

All in all a fantastic swimsuit for minimising and support.

Price: AUD$199 (see our currency converter for other countries)

Sizes: 10-22 (in sizes 20 & 22 it is called Andrea)

Busts: D,DD,E

Last Day of Competition

2009-06-28T21:47:00.000-07:00

Ladies, tomorrow is the last day of our June Competition. If you want to win your very own Sue Rice Swimsuit, see this post for more information.

Mastectomy and Other Specialised Swimwear

2009-06-23T20:55:00.000-07:00

Many women have difficulty purchasing swimwear. The whole experience can be totally demoralising. However, the challenges of finding the best fit, or the most flattering garment pale in comparison to the difficulty of purchasing a mastectomy swimsuit for example. Many women come to us for assistance in this matter. The problem with mastectomy swimsuits is that it is impossible to just mass-produce them - they need to be modified for each woman (left, right, B, C, D - there is so much variation). We have made the mistake of attempting to do this without the woman's body present - it didn't work.

Our solution was to design some swimsuits which can accommodate a pocket. If a woman has her own prosthesis, she can come in, be measured, choose a swimsuit and we stitch in a made to measure pocket for the prosthesis to slip into.

In our experience doing this we have found that one of the biggest issues is making sure that the swimsuit is high enough in the bust to avoid the visibility of scarring and high enough under the armpits to ensure maximum support. Usually swimsuits with a slightly thicker strap work best.

However every one's body is different and so is every one's taste - we have also occasionally put pockets in skimpier bikinis when that has been the preference and has provided enough support. Some women who don't have a special prosthesis (these can be quite expensive) have also opted for a swimsuit with cups included in it or one with lining or bust detailing - which can be a great option as well.

We really want to continue to help women with special swimming needs. I was recently contacted by a woman with lymphoedema who required a specialised pressure swimsuit. We're racking our brains right now to see if we can come up with something or modify something we already have. If you want to know more about this problem check out the Lymphoedema Association of Australia website.

I want to know of any other major issues people are having buying swimwear. We might not have the solution here at Sue Rice, but if we open up a general discussion we might be able to point you in the right direction.

Please leave comments on this post about swimwear challenges you're aware of. Lets see if we can all rack our brains and come up with some solutions.

COMPETITION - Win a Free Swimsuit!

2009-06-22T23:36:00.000-07:00

As you've obviously noticed we've just started a blog. A blog with a mission. We want to connect with you, and we want you to connect with each other. Women everywhere have difficulty buying swimwear and we want you to know you're not alone! This blog is an ideal place for you to provide us with feedback and share your stories.

To kick things off we're having a competition. We want you to share with us your experiences with your Sue Rice Swimsuit. It can be as funny, tragic, silly or serious as you like.

We've had a lot of comments from people lately about the fact that there are no pictures of REAL women in our swimsuits. We hear you, and in our recent photo shoot we used size 14 model. But let's face it. She's still a model, right? If you have a great picture of yourself donning your Sue Rice Swimsuit, we'd love you to include it in your entry (of course this isn't compulsory!)

To the right is a picture of a real customers sporting our featured swimsuit Marilyn+Superpants in Mocha which has just become available again. Doesn't she look fantastic?

Blog Competition Instructions

1. Write a piece (500wds or less) about your real experiences in your Sue Rice Swimsuit. We would love you to include a picture of yourself in the swimsuit - but this is not essential. Please include a title, and the name you would like it to be posted under (this can be your real name, or a nickname). Entries will be judged on originality, creativity and being an all round interesting read.

2. Email your entry to enquiries@suerice.com.au

Blog Competition Conditions

1. Competition closes 30th June, so get in quick!

2. Any entry sent may be published on our blog. By sending us an entry you give us permission to publish it on our blog.

3. Our decision will be final and no correspondence regarding the winner will be entered into.

Which is Your Favourite?

2009-06-17T21:38:00.000-07:00

It's time to vote ladies.....

Whether its on your wish list or in your wardrobe, we want to know which is your favourite Sue Rice Swimsuit?

Ok I'll break the ice. Mine is Felicity/Eros because it fits and supports my D cup boobs and has cute boy leg pants.

Bikini Stocktake Clearance

2009-06-17T20:12:00.000-07:00

Ok team, for two weeks a mountain of bikinis are AUD$25. This is totally unprecedented. Check it out here (you'll need to sign up here or login here to view sale prices). Sale only on until June 30th. Want to know more about buying online worldwide? Click here. PS - this little sample is just a taste. The VIP Sale Shop is full of amazing bargains for $50 or less!

mmmmmm...... ashley.... yum yum yum

2009-06-17T20:05:00.000-07:00

The Shoot

2009-06-17T19:42:00.000-07:00

Lisa works at Sue Rice.

She organises the production & manufacturing, she plays with patterns and cuts the garments out. Cutting involves making marker by drawing the pattern pieces on to another piece of paper then layering the fabric and cutting it with a cutting machine. It is a field mostly dominated by men because you need to be quite strong to lift up the rolls of fabric (lycra is quite heavy about 20kg per roll).

So Lis, how was the shoot?

To begin with, the studio where we shot was very high tech. It was electronic and digital stuff I wasn't familiar with like a camera on a tripod that automatically slid up and down and the biggest lens I've ever seen.

When we first arrived, the photographer and his assistant were busy setting things up and checking the light levels on the computer while the make up artist was working on the first model. While she had her hair done, Sue and I arranged all the swimsuits on the rack in the order Sue wanted them shot.

I learned some interesting things, like the fact that models really do eat! And if you don't fit into your bikini - just stuff a toilet roll down the back. Well I guess that might not work so well for people who are swimming - but if you're having your photo taken in a bikini that is to big for you - then it's a great idea. Thanks for the tip Alana! Alana is our size 14-16 model.

What did you think about having a bigger model?

Well that was really Sue's decision & it was a great one because the average size of a Sue Rice customer is probably a 14 or 16 so it makes sense to shoot on a beautiful lady who is that size. Also Alana is just amazing and looks incredible in all the photos.

Models

2009-06-17T19:03:00.000-07:00

I've gotten quite a few emails lately from women rather miffed that we don't use plus size models in our photographs.

By sheer coincidence (or something about where Aquarius was in Venus last week) Sue came to the same conclusion independently at the same time.

For the record, we never use skinny models - they just wouldn't fill out our stuff! Instead in the past we have usually opted for a toned but meaty size ten girl with boobs. For this shoot, we decided to get in both a size 10 and a bigger model to show off our new stuff in a way more women can relate to.

So chartering new ground, Sue & Lisa headed off do our first shoot with both a size 10 model & a size 14-16 model.

Stay tuned to see how they go!

Swimsuits Through Time

2009-06-17T18:56:00.000-07:00

Why, oh why god of swimming did you make swimsuits skimpy figure strangling lycra sheaths? WHY?
A trip down swimsuit memory lane

Ok so not many people describe their swimsuit as the most flattering piece of clothing they own. In my time in the world of swimwear, I have frequently heard women mourn the fact that they have to wear swimwear at all.

Of course swimwear hasn't always comprised figure strangling lycra sheaths - it has evolved profoundly over the last several hundred years. I thought I'd take a look back at some of our earlier swimsuit sporting sisters to see who is really better off US or THEM?

Well if we're going to go right back, what better place to start that the Georgian Bathing Machines, invented by Benjamin Beale in the 1700s. If you have read Persuasion or seen Judy Dench play Queen Victoria in Mrs Brown you may have encountered one of these vehicles. A Georgian lady would climb aboard, change into a muslin bathing shift and then be pulled by horses into the sea. Once 75% submerged, the lady could climb down the stairs of the machine and have some sea exercise - and yes that's right not an ankle glimpsed. She remains perfectly modest.

Click here to connect to the full article.

Welcome to the Sue Rice Blog

2009-06-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

You know, I know, we all know that swimwear is tricky. We hate shopping for swimwear more that we hate shopping for jeans - which must be the most damning sentiment. Our motto has always been to make flattering swimwear that people might (don't faint) actually LIKE and we think we're doing a pretty good job.

We decided to start this blog, to keep you up to date with the latest industry news, information about specialised swimwear including mastectomy and maternity as well as any other stuff we think you might want to know about.

We also thought you guys might benefit from a forum, where you can discuss your swimwear issues and talk to real women and experts about solutions.

Drop back again soon!

Sue Rice
Tankinis, One Pieces, Bikinis & More