Why buy custom-made undies?

18 August 2022 / custom-made undies

Why buy custom-made undies when you can buy undies off the rack for less?

We have all bought undies off the rack. So, why buy custom-made undies? They are made to fit a specific size, usually starting at size 10. Bad luck if you are petite and need a size 6 or size 8. A size 10 will come up to your ribcage! There are just as many problems at the other end of the scale if you don’t fit into the size options available.

So numerous undies are purchased, off the rack, trying to find the ones that fit the best and are comfortable to wear. Even more need to be purchased for specific occasions or outfits. Plus the attempt to find the perfect NVPL!

We are all guilty of this. We don’t feel good about throwing out an item that has not or hardly been worn. Have a look at the very back corner of your undies drawer. Some are hiding there you may not even remember buying!

Nice undies, off the rack, cost anything from $20 -ish to $90 -ish. We don’t mind paying, especially when we suddenly need undies for a specific outfit or need to replenish the underwear wardrobe. They all seem to need throwing out at the same time, don’t they?

They cost more initially, but you know each pair of undies is made especially for you, your measurements, your body shape, and your specific requirements. Not to mention the quality of each component, and good for the environment with no waste.

No wasting time going out searching…(again!)…. or buying something that wasn’t made for you.

Slow fashion, custom-made, for you. Predictable outcome every time.

Bonus benefit: Having your custom sizing on file with Sunbird Lingerie makes it super easy for friends to order a special gift for you. I find dropping hints helps too! Don’t forget the Gift Card option.

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Flattering undies for your body shape

17 August 2022 / flattering undies for your body shape

Flattering undies for your body shape. Sounds easy! The best way to find flattering undies is to have them made to your measurements. And a couple of general recommendations.

Find your size: How to measure for undies to create Flattering undies for your body shape

You need to set yourself up with the tools required to measure correctly.

You will need a new tape measure, not an old one that may be stretched, a piece of thin elastic, 3-5mm, and a pen and paper to record your measurements.

Three measurements are required.

They are the natural waist, hips and crutch depth.

To find your natural waist: Tie the elastic around your waist, comfortably not tight, then wiggle around or wear it for a while. It will settle on your natural waist. Measure snugly and record this measurement.

For your hip measurement, stand with your feet together, and work the tape measure until it is over the fullest part of your bottom or hip area. Measure snugly and record this measurement.

To find your crutch depth, place the end of the tape measure at the centre of your back where the elastic is marking your natural waist. Bring the tape measure under, through your legs and to the front, up to the elastic at your natural waist. Record your measurement.

Rules to follow to flatter your body shape

After you’ve taken your measurements, I always ask a few questions. Like, what size would you normally buy? What is your favourite size, brand and style and why? Anything you would change about them? What are you planning to wear with these undies? Dress, jeans, workwear, specific outfit?

Often more questions, depending on your answers. The more information, the better I can make your best undies.

I have just 2 rules to follow:

If you have a bit of a tummy, go low or go high.

Mid-rise is not your friend. They will most likely roll down or cut into your tummy. A nice low and cute bikini or a sleek to the-waist style will be most flattering and comfortable for you.

If you have chunky legs ( apologies for the description) a slightly higher cut leg will be more flattering and comfortable than a low leg line or boy leg. The low leg can cut in or roll. Most of my leg lines are cut slightly higher as this is generally more flattering anyway. Even my comfy G has flattering shaping at the front and the back. The more straight across at the back style is too square for the feminine shape. We are better with curved shaping.

Hourglass, petite, pear, apple? What shape are you? How to choose flattering undies for your body shape

It doesn’t matter what shape you think you fit into. With your measurements and some information, your individually cut undies will fit you like a glove! They will be flattering and comfortable.

Bikini, briefs, undies, knickers!

Which ones should you try? We have a wardrobe of clothing, so we need a wardrobe of underwear.

Did you know the average woman has 34 pairs of undies in her lingerie drawer? That seems like a lot, doesn’t it?

Well, we need two pairs of undies every 24 hours, for 7-10 days. That could be 20 already. Plus sports or exercise or gardening undies. Not to mention nice undies and date night undies. Yes, 34 would seem reasonable.

Do you have 34 pairs of flattering, comfortable undies?

Do they flatter your body shape?

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Bra Fitting Checklist

14 August 2022 / Bra fitting checklist

Bra fitting checklist:

Here is a simple 5-step bra fitting checklist you can do at home to check each bra you own. The bras that tick all the boxes are the ones you should be wearing.

Bra fitting checklist

Step #1

The most important starting step: is the band.

The band should be firm, not tight. It should be parallel to the floor, not ride up at the back.

The band accounts for 80% of the support in your bra.

Step #2

The next step is the bridge or the centre front of your bra that sits in between your breasts. This needs to be sitting flat against your body. The height of the bridge is also important. If it’s not the correct height it won’t sit flat. We are all such different shapes, even if the tape measure says we are the same.

Step #3

THE UNDERWIRE!!!

This is the most important part, next to the band, that, apart from being the correct fit, will make the bra uncomfortable if it’s not your correct size and shape. A crucial step in your bra fitting checklist.

The underwire needs to be sitting directly up against your breast root. This is where your breast tissue joins your chest wall. It should not dig in at any point. It should not push down to sit on your ribs or poke anywhere.

So, I’m sure you are starting to see the importance of each part fitting correctly. If one part doesn’t do its job, it will “pull” the other parts away from being able to do their job. This is why bra fitting is complex and not an exact science. We, as humans, are complex.

Bra fitting checklist

Step #4

The cup.

The cup should contain the breast. There should be no overflow or excess in the cup fabric. It should support the breasts in the upward and forward positions. Not down or off to the sides.

Pro tip: If you have one breast larger than the other, always fit the larger breast as you can add to the cup of the smaller side to build up and make them equal.

Step #5

The straps.

They shouldn’t dig in. You should also be able to release the straps from your shoulds as the final check. Your bra should stay in place without the support of the bra straps. The support should not come from the straps. It’s all the other steps in our bra fitting checklist.

How many bras have you been wearing that didn’t tick all the boxes?

Don’t you wish you had a bra fitting checklist before buying the ones that don’t fit?

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Signature Ruched Bottom Undies

13 August 2022 / signature ruched bottom undies

Signature Ruched Bottom Undies: are they your favourite undies?

Signature Ruched Bottom Undies: Our most popular undies

Our Signature Ruched Bottom Undies are cute and comfortable. They work well under fitted or loose clothing.

No sagging.

No bagging.

Unless you have a mono-bottom, these are for you!

Fun fact: Your gluteus maximus, the large muscle that makes up most of your bottom, is the largest, most powerful muscle to work against gravity.

The signature ruched bottom makes these undies super comfy and so cute! It’s difficult to wear undies without a ruched bottom after you have worn these. I see photographs of models in regular-style undies and I just want to fix the sagging in the back. It’s not attractive, nor is it comfortable.

Apart from comfort, we are looking for a great shape created by our underwear. These undies most certainly create an attractive shape.

How to wear our signature ruched bottom undies.

Our signature ruched bottom undies work underneath just about any clothing. Loose or fitted. Dresses, jeans, shorts. They wouldn’t work with skin-tight clothing as they usually have elastic around the waist and the leg. Our comfy G or our Nearly NVPL would probably work better with this style of clothing. If you had a very clingy dress, you could try them. It would depend on the fall of the dress.

The front of these undies can vary, according to the design, fabric used to coordinate with the matching bra and personal preference.

The front has unlimited variations available. The back has a few. I will usually use a fabric with stretch through the bottom. For comfort, mainly. So a stretch organic bamboo, a recycled polyester stretch, or other stretch fabrics would suit the front fabrics. However, sometimes I will use a non-stretch fabric for the entire set. The signature ruched bottom will still work with the correct fabric. This is usually a cotton lawn or something along those lines.

This favourite style, also works perfectly with an all-over stretch, like our organic bamboo, or sheer stretch fabric.

How many of our signature ruched bottom undies do you have?

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Women’s Bamboo Underwear

10 August 2022 / women's bamboo underwear

Bamboo is one of the best fabrics for women’s underwear. It feels like butter against your skin!

Even better, it keeps the skin cool and dry. The fancy name for this is Thermoregulating. Ideal to wear in hot or humid climates or conditions.

It is also described as moisture wicking. This means it draws moisture and dries rapidly. Perfect!

Bamboo is not only breathable, but it is also naturally anti-bacterial. A natural odour preventer. What more could you ask for?

Properties of Bamboo for Underwear

Women’s bamboo underwear is just as good for the environment as it is for you.

Bamboo fabric is eco-friendly, sustainable and biodegradable. I use as many organic fabrics as possible. So the bamboo fabric I use is organic, just like a lot of my cotton fabrics are organic. Along with the environmental benefit, most organic fabrics are super soft, so perfect for lingerie. Nothing gets closer to your skin!

Fun Fact: Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world! Bamboo crops can generate up to 35% more oxygen than the same amount of trees.

How to wear Women’s Bamboo Underwear

I use organic bamboo fabric in most of my gussets. Sometimes, just because of my colour choice (no boring gussets here!) I will use organic cotton instead. The organic bamboo fabric has a good amount of stretch, making it ideal for lingerie, undies particularly. Often in my gussets, the bamboo has more stretch than the outer gusset fabric. So I reduce the bamboo gusset accordingly. This stops bunching in the inner gusset area. It may look a bit “unique” when looking at them, but once you wear them, you’ll understand.

How much bamboo is too much?

Haha! You can’t have too much bamboo in your undies!

Again, mainly depending on styling and colours, I don’t necessarily use organic bamboo in the main body of every pair of undies I make. This is purely a design choice. But, I can! So if you are very sensitive, or work in a hot or humid environment, just contact me, and I will make your undies all bamboo. You will stay dry and be odour free. Undies made entirely from bamboo are ideal for sport, hiking, and long hot days out and about! They are also perfect to wear under synthetic clothing. Often uniforms or work wear are made from synthetic fabric. Even in air conditioning, if you are covered in synthetic fabric, you will perspire. This will cause discomfort and odour. Two things we can do without in our busy day.

Caring for your bamboo underwear

Organic bamboo is amazingly durable. But, like all good underwear, you need to take care of it.

Click on the link for my blog on how to wash your lingerie.https://sunbirdlingerie.com.au/how-to-care-for-your-lingerie/

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Bra size has increased.

9 August 2022 / bra size has increased

Bra size has increased! Do you know the average cup size?

Over the past two decades, the average bra size has increased from a “B” cup to a “DD” cup.

This is a considerable increase in cup volume.

Ironically, the sales of underwired bras have decreased while the sales of bralettes have increased. The very best bralette can’t give the support of a well-fitting underwire bra.

We don’t buy slippers because we can’t find comfortable shoes that fit and support our feet!

FUN FACT: The left breast is often larger than the right!

I think this change is most likely due to the perception that a wired bra is uncomfortable to wear. Well, it is! That is if it doesn’t fit correctly! Over 80% of women will tell you they are wearing the wrong size bra. It’s difficult to buy a bra, off the rack, that will fit you perfectly. Find an experienced bra fitter, along with a large range of makes and models to choose from, this would be required to find the best possible one for you. But yet, it still isn’t made to fit you. It’s made with a lot of very clever design features to create more “give”, to fit the masses.

Annual fittings are recommended

Our bodies are in a constant state of change. Our diets change our hormones change, and our lifestyle changes. Bras need to be replaced every 9 to 12 months, this is industry standard, due to loss of elasticity in the bra, along with possible body changes in the wearer. So it’s a good idea to set an annual date to recheck your bra fitting. Make it an easy date to remember, like a week before your birthday, the first Saturday in Spring, whatever works for you. Remember, the bras you are wearing will have “given” a little as any item with any elasticated will, so your new bras may feel firm to start.

A great-fitting band is the beginning of a great-fitting bra. Next is the underwire. Manufactured bras have to use the industry standard underwire for that bra. The culprits for creating most of the discomfort can be the underwires, as they may not be the best fit for your size and shape. Two different shapes and/or sizes may be the best for you. The next part to fit is the cups. Most brands use fabrics or moulded cups that have “give”. This will allow a wider variety of customers who can then fit into that cup. Next are the straps. All are adjustable, but are they in the best position, front and back, for you?

Why choose Sunbird Lingerie custom-made bras?

When you order a bra from Sunbird Lingerie, we ask questions! I recommend a fitting check every 12 months. Use our fitting checklist as it’s the easiest option, along with our fitting kit. It gives you everything you need for your best-fitting bra.

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Valentines Day

14 February 2021 / Valentines Day 2021

Valentines Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

A day of flowers, chocolates, champagne, outdoor dining, picnics at the beach or the bush, romance, and an extra special Sunbird Lingerie!❤ Hope you preordered in time!

Luckily, where I am, it’s a beautiful sunny day. Not too hot. Pretty close to perfect, I would say.

What are you doing today? Are you getting a surprising outing? Something you didn’t expect but is just wonderful?

It’s also the day set as a reminder for all VIP members, your annual renewal is due today. Sorry to put a dampener on this very special day!

If you are not a VIP member, today is a perfect day to become one! You get the best rewards being a VIP. There are two options, both have the four times-a-year fabric samples posted to you, to touch, feel, and see the colours, from new collections before they are released.VIPs also have access to Limited Edition Collections before release. It’s so worth being a VIP. I often have a limited supply of fabrics and laces. If I see something that I like, I’ll buy it. Even if it is a small amount. Just because it’s gorgeous! I have a few new fabrics and findings that I can’t wait to use in some exciting new designs!

The Colour of the month for February is, of course, Rose Red!🌹 Next month could be something quite unexpected. You’ll have to wait to see it! I am also introducing the Colour Combination of the month…..next month. I love colour, but I find some combinations are spectacular together. Sometimes it’s just two colours, but often it’s three colours combined.

So enjoy this day of love, special moments, and wonderful surprises.

Have you been spoilt today? Why not spoil yourself…..and your Lingerie Wardrobe?

Happy Valentine’s Day ❤

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Custom orders for unique shapes/sizes

22 March 2019 / custom order for unique shapes/sizes

Custom orders for unique shapes/sizes

Are you a lady that would love custom orders for your bras and undies? Sunbird Lingerie specialises in custom orders for unique shapes and sizes. You can order specific sizes and your favourite fabrics in your own unique style. Is your favourite bra now a bit worse for wear? Would you love your favourite lingerie custom-made?

Custom orders for bras

Wearing beautiful underwear that fits like a second skin, makes you feel fabulous on the inside. How exciting it is to offer inspiration with our custom bra service, giving you seemingly endless fabric choices, styles and designs, to suit you individually. We can discuss any fitting issues you may have or any fabric preferences.

Do you have a bra that you have not been able to part with because it is the perfect fit? Don’t throw it away, as we are able to take a pattern and remake your favourite bra at any time from our current fabric range, custom-made, just for you.

Custom orders for undies

Matching bra and undie sets are not a luxury item, but a woman’s right! So why not incorporate matching undies to go with your bespoke bra? Maybe a practical set and a unique set? It’s best to have two undies to one bra. I would suggest two different styles to give you two different looks. Underwear should be super comfortable to wear all day, if they are not, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to help you resolve any fitting issues with our custom orders service.

Thank you for taking the time to read about the custom orders service we offer. Lingerie should be luxurious, fun, colourful or demure, look fabulous and feel amazing. This is just another option to help our customers achieve this goal.

Custom orders for unique shapes/sizes.

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Shipping and returns policies

22 March 2019 / Shipping and returns policies

Shipping and returns policies for Sunbird Lingerie

Shipping and returns policies

Our bespoke lingerie shipping is free Australia-wide. It’s also carbon neutral.

Feel confident purchasing your lingerie online knowing your 100% contentment is our priority. Sunbird’s luxury handmade lingerie feels comfortable and looks perfectly stunning every time. As a small business word of mouth and returning shoppers is the very best compliment. We value loyalty and feedback good or bad. Please contact Cindy for a prompt reply with any concerns regarding shipping or returns. You are guaranteed outstanding customer service and a quick resolution.

Shipping information

We know from experience how exciting waiting for your first lingerie purchase to arrive can be.

what to expect

How long will shipping take?
All orders have tracking. Once your order is ready to send, you will receive your tracking information. Any concerns, contact Cindy.
Do I need to be home and sign for my parcel?
No. If you have a safe place to leave it, the courier will leave it in the specified safe place. If not, you will receive a notification of how to collect. You can specify an address that is most convenient for you when placing your order. It may be a work address or a neighbour. Just pop the address in the delivery area.

Returns policies

Your perfectly unique lingerie will arrive packaged with love. Once opened you’ll be rushing to try it on. Our promise to you every time with each item is high-quality and superb comfort. Sunbird Lingerie has a reputation for bras and undies you’ll never want to take off. Please contact Cindy for the best resolution if your lingerie should arrive and you’re not completely in love with a purchase. It is so important you love your new lingerie and enjoy wearing it with comfort. We know how to make you feel fearless wearing our bras and undies.

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How to Care for your lingerie

22 March 2019 / How to care for your lingerie

How to Care for your lingerie

Below are our top secrets on how to care for your lingerie to maintain shape and elasticity.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR LINGERIE

It’s always best to hand wash your lingerie. It only takes 5 minutes of your time ( plus 15 minutes of soaking time).

How often should you wash lingerie?

The industry standard regarding how often you should wash your bras is every two to three wears.

I don’t agree with this, living in Australia.

I recommend washing your bra, and undies, after each time you wear them. If you wash them with care, they will stay fresh and new.

This is why you need a wardrobe of bras.

Wash your undies after each time you wear them as well.

How to hand wash your lingerie

First, sort your lingerie by colour, just like any other washing. Lighter colours together, and any black, dark or bright colours together. I prefer to wash whites on their own.
Next, fill a tub or a clean plastic bucket with lukewarm water, enough to cover the items you are washing.
Add your detergent to the water. Use a gentle one made for delicates. I recommend Eucalan, it has a great Australian connection to its beginning! Here’s a link to where to buy Eucalan
Keep in mind, that you are washing in much less water than the washing machine, so don’t be too generous with the detergent.
Once you have closed the hooks and eyes together at the back of each bra, submerge them in the soapy water while agitating the water with your hands, in a gentle stirring motion.
Leave to soak for 15 minutes.
You should then remove all items and rinse thoroughly in fresh water until they rinse clear.
Gently squeeze any excess water from your garments, without twisting or wringing. Gently roll your lingerie in a clean towel to remove excess water.
Lay your garments flat to dry, on a clean, dry towel. It’s best not to hang them as this may distort their shape. Never put them in the dryer!

How to machine wash your lingerie ( although I don’t recommend machine washing)

Sort light colours together, whites on their own, and all black, dark and bright colours can be washed together.
Fasten the bra back hooks and eyes together. Then put the appropriate colours together in a good-quality washing bag.
Set your washing machine to ultra delicates or the most gentle handwash cycle. Always use a washing detergent that is specifically formulated for delicates and start the washing machine.
At the end of the cycle, remove your lingerie from the washing bag.
Lay your lingerie flat to dry, on a clean, dry towel.

Correct storage for your Lingerie

Fasten your bra hooks before storing them. This will ensure they don’t get caught on any lace or delicate fabrics. Bras need to be laid flat with the next bra cups atop the previous. By storing this way, bras will maintain their shape.

This was a lot to read. I do hope it has answered some questions. You should now have a refreshed view of how to care for your precious lingerie. The reward is having your lingerie look gorgeous for longer, which has to be worth it!

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