Finding a wetsuit to fit can be incredibly hard when plus size, especially when there are only a handful of places that offer larger sizes. While doing a little bit of research following a recent surfing trip, we discovered Truli Wetsuits – a wetsuit brand that is striving for inclusivity for plus size people who love water sports. Knowing that they were working hard to make wetsuits that not only fit but are stylish too, we couldn’t resist getting in touch with Mia for an interview.
Tell Us A Little Bit About Truli Wetsuits And How You
Got Started.
I was working as a scuba diving instructor in The Caribbean and
basically living in a wetsuit. My
colleagues were women; our customers were women; but, all of our gear was
designed for men. I couldn’t understand
how the major companies could totally be missing the mark in meeting our
needs. Without a clue on how I would do
it, I decided I would figure out how to create my dream wetsuit and if it
turned out okay, I’d figure out a way to sell it.
What Made You Increase Your Size Range?
So, I don’t have a background in design; I started with just my
ideas and sketches. I relied a lot on
the experts I hired to offer insights into things like pattern-making and the
grading system, which are all related to sizing. After all kinds of testing and refining of
the prototype, they sent me xs – xl. I
didn’t really know who would be interested in buying my design except for the
people who had been testing it and they looked a lot like me.
As it turns out, a lot of people were interested in wetsuits
designed for women and they didn’t just look like me. Actually, they looked like every shape and
size you could think of! There was a
reason I didn’t see a diverse range of bodies in the water sports industry. If your body wasn’t able to fit into a man’s
wetsuit or wasn’t small enough to fit into the few women’s designs available,
you didn’t have any options to participate.
I knew that from a business perspective, I had to make more
sizes available in order to meet the needs of my customers. And on a personal level, I knew that I was in
a position that could create change and possibility in a sport I loved. Not doing something about this disparity was
not an option for me.
Throughout 2018, I set out to create a more size-inclusive
system and finally introduced 21 sizes with the 2 new wetsuit designs in 2019.
What Plus Sizes Do You Offer?
Women
from size 0 to 24 have been wearing Truli Wetsuits. I made the conscious decision not to
distinguish between plus and standard sizes.
I wanted to create a flexible and inclusive sizing system that
demonstrated that one size did not fit all and that everyone’s shape would fit
each size differently. Currently, there
are 14 sizes that, generally speaking, work for women anywhere between size 0
and 24. 7 of these have long torso
options. With the new inventory
purchase, I am bringing in an additional 2 sizes that will provide more options
for women on the higher end of the range.
Can You Tell Us More About The Different Fits/Designs?
Which One Is Best For Beginner Who Has Never Owned A Wetsuit Before, Or Is It
Dependent On The Activity You’re Doing?
I love this question, but it’s super packed with different ways
to respond! The 4 designs are really
awesome because they offer a lot of options to fit a variety of water
conditions and activities. The wetsuits
can also be paired together in layers for added warmth in colder
locations.
Swimmers, paddlers, surfers and kitesurfers tend to love the
sleeveless 3.5mm Truli-Mi and Truli-Capri styles for a full range of motion in
the arms. These are also the easiest to
put on and take off and can be worn over top swim tops and leggings for more
skin coverage. Or even underneath
another wetsuit as a cosy base layer. I
often refer to these as an “enhanced bathing suit” – They are so
versatile!
Warm water scuba divers and cold water ocean and lake swimmers
will often choose the 3.5mm Truli-Hapi long-sleeve shorty. I often recommend this wetsuit if you are a new
diver and you’re not too sure which should be your first wetsuit. It’s fantastic to wear on its own and can be
worn as a base layer under other wetsuits if you get cold and is not bulky to
pack on a vacation. So many options!
The Truli-Ful the Beautiful 5.5mm polka dot design is the only
full-coverage wetsuit at the moment (I will definitely be bringing in more as
the business grows). It’s the warmest
and offers the most protection. Many
cold water swimmers are enjoying this wetsuit and say the arms are stretchy
enough to not feel inhibited in their swims.
Personally, I wear this one layered over top of the Truli-Hapi for
diving in the cold Great Lakes of Ontario during the summer in Canada.
All of the Truli Wetsuits are lined with fleece which adds extra
warmth, is soft on your skin, and in fact, dries faster than the neoprene when
you’re done being awesome in it – Just hang it up inside out when you’re done.The front zip is a great feature that women kept
requesting. The long-sleeve front zip
styles require a bit of technique to remove on your own, so I installed the
Truli Ribbon to help (otherwise, you can use your buddy!).
What Goes Into Making Sure Truli Wetsuits Are True To
Size And Accessible To Plus Size Girls Who Love Water Activities?
I spent 2018 figuring out how to create more size options for
women. Early on, I had an aha moment
when a customer was trying on my original Truli-Mi design. We discovered that she was able to
“fit” 3 different sizes, the original M, L, and XL, but decided on
the XL because it gave her thick thighs more space.
I discussed with the manufacturer to extend the size grading in
enough sizes so that it would fit the needs of women to around size 24. It turns out they weren’t really experienced
with this, but we persevered together.
We were able to produce a bunch of prototypes that women tried and gave
feedback on. I measured and recorded
everyone’s fittings and collected data from the dive community as much as I
could and fine-tuned the sizing system for the 2 new wetsuits that were
released in May 2019.
Access to the wetsuits is very important to me too. I recognized how difficult it is to purchase
a wetsuit online and also how many women had terrible experiences going into
shops searching for a wetsuit. In late
2019, I launched the Designated Fitting Site program in partnership with local
retailers who were committed to serving their women customers in a professional
manner. It wasn’t enough to just sell
women’s wetsuits online, in order for the water sports industry to become more
inclusive, all people need to see women’s gear and in plus sizes on display in
the community.
Pre-COVID I had just started a POP-up Fitting tour in Canada and
the US, but of course had to cancel and have not expanded further just
yet. It’s still very much in the plans
though for the business (as well as making it easier for women in the UK and
elsewhere to have access to in-person fittings as well).
We are very proud to continue to support Outer Reef Scuba in Indianapolis, IN who is our first DFS in the USA and Divers Den in Tobermory, ON Canada where I
live.
Do You Offer Custom Sizes Or Size Consultations?
So, the wetsuits themselves are not custom, but the fittings
completely are! I look at each customer
individually, considering not only their shape but what activities they will
be doing. For customers in North
America, I have options to send more than one wetsuit to try on at a time as
even beyond fit, everyone’s comfort preferences will be so individual. I do whatever I can to ensure customers
receive a wetsuit that feels best for them.
For customers outside of Canada and the USA, at this time I am
not able to offer this additional service due to the high shipping costs, but I
did create the Sisterhood of the Travelling Wetsuit. That way IF someone
ends up with a Truli that just doesn’t work for them, they have the option to
pass it onto another sister.
Do You Have Any Tips And Tricks For Those Looking For A
Plus Size Wetsuit?
Ideally, you’ll be able to try some wetsuits on to get a feel
for them. Be aware that every company
uses different sizing systems, so have your key measurements handy. Tor Truli that’s height, weight, bra-size,
general dress size, bust, waist, hip measurements and even your inseam.
I created a few tips for in-home fittings specific to Truli as
well:
Wetsuit Fitting Advice – Tips and Tricks
Videos
to demonstrate how to remove a front-zip wetsuit with long-sleeves:
Full Instruction Video
Shorter Demonstration Video
We Know You’re Currently Running A Campaign For Your
Next Run Of Stock, Can You Tell Us More About It And How People Can Support
You?
Yes! Financing inventory
is the biggest upfront cost for me as a small business. I decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign
where customers are able to pre-order their wetsuit at huge discounts. If the target is met, the inventory is
purchased from the manufacturer and production begins. The campaign is a means to get the community
involved to really create change in the water sports industry by making wetsuit
sizes available. Contributions and
pre-orders can be made until November 30th, so jump on this chance to get a
great deal. I’ve done whatever I could
to make backing the campaign as low-risk as possible. You can learn about all of the details of the
campaign here (look at the FAQs for shipping/exchange/refunds):
https://ifundwomen.com/projects/truli-wetsuits-women
Where Can We Find You On Social Media?
@TruliWetsuits
·
Truli Facebook page
·
I heart my Truli Facebook group for women
·
Sisterhood of the Travelling Wetsuit –
buy/sell/trade Pre-Loved Trulis
YouTube
Reviews:
ScubaLab Testers Choice Award by Scuba
Diving Magazine
Plus Size Review by Hannah Logan: Truli Wetsuits: Plus Size Wetsuit Options
Made for Women With Curves