The Towelkini Is Part Towel, Part Bathing Suit—and People Have Thoughts
Summer has unofficially arrived and with it trips to the beach, debates over the song of the season, and accessories like fanny pack wine coolers.
Now, we’ve got a new entry in the weird—but kind of genius—style choice for the summer: the Towelkini.
It’s the brainchild of Aria McManus, a New York-based artist and the co-founder of Auto Body. She first introduced it last summer, as part of an exhibit at the design store Special Special. But it’s reached a new level of virality in 2019—because, obviously.
Like the name suggests, the Towelkini combines a towel and a bathing suit, in one convenient piece. “No need to carry a cumbersome towel and an easy to lose swimsuit—here they come as one, materialized as idea,” the description on the Special Special website, which is now the exclusive retailer for the product, reads.
The terrycloth garment (?) has cut-outs for your head and your legs, which are left exposed (so don’t forget your sunscreen). It’s currently available in three colors—athletic gold, hot pink, and lime green—for $199.
People have been buzzing about the Towelkini once again, as it got picked up by the British tabloids and then started making the TV rounds this summer. It even appeared on the Today Show ahead of Memorial Day Weekend.
The world can’t decide if the Towelkini is absurd or absolutely brilliant. But, TBH, if you’re the type who went all in on Snuggies and Slankets, the Towelkini is probably your new favorite thing. Buy it at Special Special now.