October 30, 2007

Two-Piece, Love, and Happiness

Ylang Ylang Bikinis

Although there was plenty of creepiness going on in The Blue Lagoon — borderline incest, Richard’s white cloth diaper thing — you always adored the way Brooke Shields’s mermaid hair served as a bikini top.

The lesson there: The more natural, the better (minus the coconut bra).

Ylang Ylang bikinis agree with that idea, offering swimwear made of bamboo and repurposed materials.

The eponymous line is named after the flower native to the South Pacific, whose essential oils are considered to be an aphrodisiac. Similarly, the suits are anything but granola. Sex it up in the deep plum string style with braided accents or go with the ’70s gym-inspired boy shorts and halter if you’re the type who goes to the beach to play not pose.

Or, you know, if you’re hanging with your half brother/second cousin.

Available at Rag Trade Happy Clothing Co., 4600 Northeast 2nd Avenue, number 6 (305-573-1478 or ragtradeco.com); online at etsy.com. To see styles, go to bymeadow.com.