This is NOT ME – but this is kind of what it looked like… 🙂
True Story: Last weekend, we were packing up from a day at the beach, getting ready for the requisite stop at Ululani’s on the way home, when I threw on my coverup and rinsed my sandy slippers in the shower. As I went to turn off the reliably untrustworthy beach park shower, I ended up absolutely soaking myself, much to the amusement of everyone watching. Luckily, I was wearing my new coverup from RipSkirt Hawaii, which is made from water shedding fabric, and I was able to enjoy my shave ice without looking like a drowned rat.
RipSkirt Hawaii is the brainchild of Alecia Elsasser, a Maui mommy and former business owner, who was just looking for a solution to her daily dilemma of leaving the beach in a wet bathing suit, where normal pareus or cotton coverups just get wet and leave tell-tale bathing suit marks.
“I just wanted something to wear that wouldn’t soak through when I made a stop on the way home from the beach,” Alecia shared. “I couldn’t find exactly what I envisioned on the market, so I decided to start making my own cover-ups. I had a skirt with a Velcro closure and I started with that as a template. My friends and daughter helped me with my logo, the sizing, and the colors.
“The result was RipSkirt, a water-repellant wrap cover-up with no snaps or zippers, only adjustable Velcro tabs. You rip it off to change. It’s made out of a water-repellant, modern board short material with just enough stretch to give but not to cling, and it quickly covers your bum and thighs without soaking up water.”
Today, May 9, RipSkirt Hawaii was featured on The Grommet, a product launch platform. According to the Grommet website: “we find unique, undiscovered products and help them succeed. We have launched over 2,000 companies since 2008, many of which have gone on to become household names, like SodaStream and Banagram.” The Grommet was also named one of the Hottest Companies of 2013 by Internet Retailer.
Alecia and her husband Ed ran a handbag company when they lived on the mainland, and she heard about The Grommet from one of her former employees. “He thought my skirts would be good match for The Grommet. We were selected in February, but they wanted to wait until spring to launch.
“I sent them some samples to try out, but since it was winter in Massachusetts, they weren’t heading to the beach. As they were testing them out though, the women in their offices started wearing them over their yoga and gym attire, and we discovered that it is more than just a swim skirt. We are now marketing it as all purpose athletic wrap skirt and cover up.”
The RipSkirts are available in sizes XS – L, and feature water resistant, quick dry material, an interior key/card pocket, adjustable velcro closure and a flattering kick pleat in the rear. Skirts are machine washable, hang dry (or dry clean) They come in solid colors : Ocean Blue, Poppy and Black, and in prints: Ulupua Blue and Ulupua Black.
Where to Buy:
- The Grommet
- Amazon: (search RipSkirt)
On Maui:
- Wisdom Flow Yoga Studio – 95 Makawao Ave, Makawao Hawaii
- Ono Gelato (Paia location)
Alecia is also looking for more retail locations if you might be interested in carrying her product! Click here to contact
Want more?
Watch the video of Alecia explaining how RipSkirt came to life,
Follow Ripskirt on Pinterest
Maui Made 
Comments on: "Maui-Designed Cover Up Featured on The Grommet" (1)
This is absolutely perfect for Maui beach days. I have a black/red/white suit and I’m always throwing on a pareo which, of course, is flowered and clashes with the pattern and is always wet. I love this. I wish you a ton of luck with your new endeavor. I enjoy hearing about our local community doing well.