The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Simplemost may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.
Spending the day outside at the beach is one of the best parts of summer. But lugging a grill, bags full of beach gear and a cooler to the shore is tiring — especially in hot summer weather. You can lighten your load with products that do double duty, like this coverup and towel in one, aptly named the Towelkini.
New York designer Aria McManus created this swimsuit-coverup-towel mashup. It’s one-size-fits-all — so guess what we’re getting our friends for their birthdays?
The terry beach towel is cotton and measures 34 inches by 70 inches. On its own, it looks like this, as shown on designer McManus’ Instagram account:
But this special towel has holes for your head, arms, legs and rear end, meaning that you can do this under the sun:
You can even keep it on when you use the restroom!
Those who don’t want their bum to show can reverse the Towelkini to expose their stomachs instead. It’s really all about where you want to get your tan on!
It looks like it might get a little hot underneath there, but these models look pretty relaxed on this @towelkini Instagram post:
Even the tag is special: It has a message about how your “haters” will be envious of your towelkini:
The Towelkini comes in pink, yellow and green. Here’s what the pink and yellow ones look like, as shown on McManus’ Instagram:
It’s on back order right now, which will give you time to save up: The Towelkini is a pricey $199 at specialspecial.com. These models on @towelkini seem very comfortable, considering they appear to be sleeping on pavement tiles:
McManus says the Towelkini is truly a creative piece. It was exhibited in an art show that was themed “SPF” and included other aquatic-themed art.
The towelkini also appears to double as a cute sundress/beach coverup, if you tie it at the waist. McManus’ Instagram will show you the way:
The artist says she keeps a journal — an “Invention Book” — to create ideas she thinks are an interesting twist on functional objects as art, she told The Daily Beast. She has had it since the fourth grade.
McManus’ other creative ideas include a calendar with vitamins embedded on each page and a headset that “aligns chakras” during phone calls, among other unique products.
The conceptual designer’s website features some of her projects, including this ingenious butter candle. We’re not sure how she did that, but it appears to be real butter:
And this bubble gum tape measure called “Tool Time” lets you take measurements as well as pop bubbles:
But if it’s strange bathing suits that are your jam, we found some other items that you might like for your next day at the beach.
Check out this $13 “chest hair” swimsuit for women that mimics a man’s physique, from Fairy Season — it’s giving us real Borat vibes:
Or how about a denim Speedo-style piece? Yes, this is a product that actually exists, and it’s called the “jeado,” of course. (You won’t be the most fashionable swimmer at the beach, but you will have the most interesting bathing suit!)
The jeado is currently available on Amazon for $39.99, and an accompanying “jeankini” bikini top for women retails for $49.99 on the Shinesty website:
However you wish to make a statement at the beach or swimming pool, do it in style!
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for other great tips and ideas to make the most out of life.
