Self-proclaimed tomboy surfer Mel Wells of Portland, Oregon was inspired by the modest, one-piece bathing suits from the twenties to create her own line of similarly-cut swimwear. Her company is called Beefcake and her genderless swimsuits are for any body.
After a successful crowdfunding campaign for the suits last year, she told PopSugar in an interview:
“If you look at old photos of people on the beach, [body shame] didn’t used to be a part of our culture,” she said. “The main excitement [I’ve heard from people is] ‘I’ve been looking for a swimsuit like this for years.’ . . . I think a lot of people are looking for swimwear that is more function than fashion, but not ugly. A lot of performance swimwear is not very fashionable — it’s all about performance. And I think there’s a lot of people who want something kind of in between.”
Her “beefcakes” (how she refers to the swimsuits) are made in the USA, come in sizes XS to 5X, and sell for $95/each (right now they’re 20% off).
Thanks, Whitney!