Note: For this review, our guest model is Jeremy! He is the one who submitted this company for review--and I must say is absolutely amazing in his gear. You can see more of Jeremy on his tumblr page, Big Boys In Speedos.
When searching for a special piece of gear, something that will make you stand out in any crowd, standard mass producing vendors won't do. You need individualized creativity and customization. These are things that mass producers can't provide. So, where do you go to get that unique piece of WOOFY gear that will make or break your evening?
I've spent years working with customized gear makers. Some good, some not so good. And when you work with folks who create one of a kind garments, returns and replacements are often difficult to negotiate. Some artisans are truly proud of their craft, and they make no hassle whatsoever when it comes to fixing mistakes and defects. Others, are just in it for the money, and when a problem arises, they're no longer willing to assist their customers.
Such was the case for a young man in Florida. He had placed an order for a swimsuit from a custom gear creator with the promise that it could be returned if the sizing wasn't correct. When he tried it on, it didn't fit. Looking to salvage it, it gave it to his partner, but sadly it didn't fit him either. When he contacted the seller, the response was--TOO BAD! It was at that moment that Timm decided to learn how to sew. And he learned well!
Hotactivewear4all is a store on e-bay where Timm sells his creations. With a philosophy that all men deserve to wear really hot gear, Timm creates a fantastic array of customizable swimwear in sizes to fit any man. Metallic colors, wet look fabrics, and pleather prints are his playground. His store sports a fast turn around time and all the e-bay amenities that make it an easy place to buy. And so, without any further delay, here is the review of Hotactivewear4all by Timm.
Style: Outstanding! Eat your heart out, Speedo! Timm's selection of colors and fabrics set him apart immediately. The metallics are smooth, and captivating! It's absolutely impossible not to draw the right kind of attention in one of these babies! And because you can customize your color choice, whatever you can imagine, you can have! I opted to keep it basic--a two color model for each suit I purchased for the review. I love how all of the colors work well with each other! Whether you're wearing only the suit, or if you opt to add sandals, a tank, and some accessories, all eyes will be glued to you! Count on people asking where you got your gear, and how they can get one.
Comfort: The best part about wearing the metallic fabrics is that the longer you wear them, the better they fit. As the fabric warms up, it becomes even more pliable and form fitting. The feel is amazing! Our guest model Jeremy personally opted for a slightly smaller suit to create more of a stretched and rubberized look. I opted for a more standard fit, allowing the metallic fabric to shine more. Either way, the choice is yours. (note, custom made garments vary some in size. My personal observation is that a standard XL [my usual size] fits like a half size bigger. Keep that in mind when you order) You'll soon forget the suit is even on. And for the bigger boys, the best part is that the elastic is very forgiving--no more feeling like your swimsuit is cutting you in half. If you're really hung, you might ask for a larger pouch. The standard pouch is fine, however, for us more ... cough cough... average men.
Durability: So this is a very difficult part of this review, because I don't want to be misunderstood. Quality wise, I'm highly impressed. What I want my readers to understand is that this is a handmade fashion garment--not a competition swimsuit. If you take care of the right way, it will last as long as it should. But disrespect this garment, and it's game over.
Metallic spandex by its very nature isn't durable. It's just not designed to be abused. It has to be taken care of. Some basics here--don't wear it under jeans or anything else that will rub the finish off. Never, under any circumstances, wash this suit in a machine. For that matter, as a rule of thumb, never wash anything spandex in a machine--nor anything hand made. So, how do you make sure it will last? Understand first that it's not meant to last forever. It will fade and it will wear faster than other garments because of its delicate nature. It's meant to be worn and seen. Repeated exposure to chlorine will cause it to fade. Pulling on it or stretching it beyond what it's meant to be stretched will also fade the color and probably start the process of destroying the garment. Put it on. Party. Show it off. You can swim in it. Gently wash it with a delicate detergent like Woolite. As with any hand made garment, if you break a stitch here and there, get it repaired. Bottom line--there's corel dinnerware and there's fine bone china. China looks better, bit it can chip and wear more easily. It's the same here.
Price: Many of Timm's suits are on special--buy two, get one free. No need for a discount code. I found the price to be more than reasonable for a custom made fashion garment. Considering that I ordered one day and all three suits were shipped the next, I got one for free, and I was able to pick the color, the price was fantastic. Timm also loves his repeat customers. Nothing helps a business like word of mouth! When you wear a suit by Timm, people will ask you where it came from. Don't just say e-bay. Tell them it came from Hotavtivewear4all on e-bay. Tell them how little it cost, and how easy it was to order. Share the love, Bears!
Overall: 3.9 / 4 Stars--keeping in mind the custom nature of the garment and the care needed for this kind of material. Simple design, but well executed, resulting in a visually stunning garment that is both comfortable and easy to afford.
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