Beyond Jewelry: My Vision for Forever Beach Girl Wearables

The Natural Next Step: From Jewelry to Beach Attire

As I've been creating my handcrafted jewelry—transforming shells, stones, and vibrant accents into wearable beach memories—I've been listening to something wonderful: your feedback.

It started with questions that sparked my imagination: "Will you have a t-shirt with your logo?" "I'd love a hat with that saying!" "Could you create something I can wear to the beach that matches my necklace?"

These enthusiastic requests revealed something important. The Forever Beach Girl spirit isn't just about adorning yourself with beach-inspired jewelry—it's about carrying that carefree, ocean-loving energy throughout your entire look and lifestyle. That realization has inspired me to begin designing my first beach attire collection to complement my handcrafted jewelry.

The Beach Attire Philosophy I'm Building On

As I sketch designs and research materials for this new venture, I'm approaching the process with the same core values that have guided my jewelry creations:

Beach Spirit in Every Thread

My vision for each piece in the upcoming wearable collection is to evoke that distinctive feeling of freedom and joy that comes from beach days. This isn't about simply putting a logo on a generic shirt—it's about creating pieces that:

  • Capture coastal energy through thoughtful design elements

  • Transport you mentally to the shoreline, even when you're miles from the coast

  • Encourage the laid-back confidence that characterizes true beach style

  • Serve as wearable reminders of your connection to ocean environments

Handcrafted Touches Meet Modern Comfort

While I recognize that creating entire garments by hand isn't feasible, I'm exploring ways to maintain my handcrafted values by:

  • Incorporating hand-printed elements on select pieces

  • Adding hand-sewn accents that will make each item special

  • Researching small-batch production partners who share my values

  • Planning for personal quality checks on every item before it ships

My dream is to eventually offer a "Signature Series" with limited-edition pieces featuring hand-painted details or handcrafted embellishments that will make each one slightly unique—bringing my jewelry-making approach to wearables.

Vibrant Self-Expression from Head to Toe

The same bold colors and playful '80s inspiration that define my jewelry will shine through in the wearable collection I'm designing:

  • Sunset-inspired color palettes that recall magical evenings on the shore

  • Strategic pops of neon that channel vintage beach energy

  • Unexpected color combinations that stand out in a crowd

  • Versatile pieces that encourage personal styling and expression

Natural Connection in Materials and Design

My commitment to connecting with nature will extend to my clothing through:

  • Nature-inspired graphics featuring coastal elements and marine life

  • Organic materials wherever possible

  • Textured fabrics that recall natural beach elements

  • Designs that complement outdoor activities and beach adventures

Ocean Preservation Through Conscious Choices

Perhaps most importantly, my wearable collection will uphold my dedication to ocean protection by:

  • Prioritizing eco-friendly materials and production methods

  • Minimizing plastic in both products and packaging

  • Contributing the same 10% of profits to sea turtle conservation

  • Creating pieces durable enough to reduce replacement waste

My Vision for the Beach Attire Collection

While I'm still in the design and planning phase, here's what I'm envisioning for this new branch of Forever Beach Girl:

Tops That Tell Stories

I'm designing t-shirts, tanks, and cover-ups that will go beyond basic beach wear:

The Conservation Series
These tops will feature artistic depictions of marine species we're working to protect, with educational tags highlighting conservation facts. The first design in development is a "Sea Turtle Guardian" shirt with artwork showing different turtle species in their natural habitats.

The Mantra Collection
Sometimes you need to wear your beach philosophy! I'm creating designs that will feature our core sayings like "Catch the Wave, Keep the Vibe" and "Forever Beach Girl Spirit" in playful, '80s-inspired typography.

The Coastal Memory Line
I'm sketching concepts that incorporate subtle elements from specific beaches and coastal moments. The "Cocoa Beach Sunrise" tank, for instance, will feature a color-blocked design inspired by my childhood mornings on Cocoa Beach, with plans for hand-painted accents on special editions.

Headwear for Sun & Style

I'm planning a small selection of hats and headbands that will serve dual purposes—protecting you from the sun while declaring your beach-loving identity:

Shade Seeker Caps
These comfortable ball caps will feature our signature coastal motifs and adjustable closures, perfect for beach days or running errands while keeping the sun at bay. One of the first designs I'm working on is the "Wave Rider" cap with an embroidered wave detail.

Beach Day Headbands
I'm exploring options for stretchy headbands featuring bold patterns and comfortable fit, perfect for keeping hair out of your face during active beach days. The "Neon Tide" headband will pair perfectly with my jewelry collection of the same name.

Beach-Ready Accessories

As the collection grows, I hope to expand into accessories that complete the beach look:

Shoreline Bags
I'm researching options for beach bags that combine practical features with vibrant style. My dream is to eventually offer a "Shell Seeker" mesh tote that incorporates repurposed fishing nets, transforming potential ocean debris into functional fashion.

Coastal Cover-Ups
I've begun sketching versatile wraps and sarongs that could move effortlessly from beach to boardwalk, featuring patterns inspired by ocean textures and coastal motifs.

Sun Soother Collection
On my drawing board are designs for lightweight scarves and wraps that would provide sun protection while incorporating our signature color palettes and patterns, perfect for draping over shoulders after a long day in the sun.

Material Research: Finding Eco-Conscious Fabric Options

Creating beach attire while maintaining my ocean preservation values requires careful material selection, and I'm currently researching options:

Organic Cotton: The Foundation

For the majority of my tops, I'm investigating certified organic cotton that:

  • Uses significantly less water than conventional cotton

  • Avoids harmful pesticides that could eventually reach marine environments

  • Provides the soft, breathable comfort perfect for beach days

  • Ages beautifully with that lived-in beach look we love

Recycled Polyester: Giving Plastic New Purpose

For items requiring more durability or specific performance features, I'm looking into recycled polyester that:

  • Diverts plastic bottles from potential ocean pollution

  • Requires less energy to produce than virgin polyester

  • Maintains color vibrancy crucial for our signature beach palette

  • Performs beautifully for active beach days

Hemp Blends: The Sustainable Standout

For premium pieces down the road, I'm excited about hemp blends that offer:

  • Exceptional durability that improves with age

  • Natural UV protection properties

  • Minimal environmental impact during growing and processing

  • A distinctive texture that adds character to casual pieces

Innovative Eco-Materials: Learning and Exploring

I'm fascinated by emerging sustainable materials and am actively researching:

  • Caps that could incorporate panels made from reclaimed ocean plastic

  • Potential algae-based components for future accessories

  • Experimental eco-materials that might feature in limited-edition pieces as I grow

The Color Vision: Beach Vibes in Every Hue

My design sketches for the wearable collection feature three core color stories that will coordinate with my jewelry lines:

The Classic Beach Girl Palette
These pieces will feature my signature combination of coastal blues, sunset corals, and sand neutrals—timeless colors that never go out of style and remind us of perfect beach days.

The '80s Flashback Collection
When you're feeling bold, these pieces will deliver with vibrant neon accents, color blocking, and patterns that channel vintage beach energy with a modern twist.

The Natural Element Series
These items will showcase more subtle, earth-inspired tones drawn from shells, stones, and coastal plants—perfect for those who prefer understated beach style.

All three color stories are being designed to mix, match, and coordinate with my jewelry collections, creating a cohesive Forever Beach Girl look from head to toe.

Beyond Style: How These Wearables Will Support Our Mission

Like my jewelry, the beach attire I'm developing will serve a purpose beyond fashion:

Walking Billboards for Ocean Conservation

When you wear a Forever Beach Girl t-shirt or cap, you'll not just be expressing your personal style—you'll be helping spread awareness about ocean conservation. Each piece will become a conversation starter about our mission to protect marine environments.

Community Building

I hope our wearables will help Forever Beach Girls recognize each other in the wild! There's nothing like spotting someone in a piece that represents shared values and making that instant connection.

Practical Protection for Beach Lovers

Many of the items I'm designing will provide sun protection and practical features for actual beach days—helping you enjoy coastal environments safely while showing your love for them.

Funding Conservation Through Fashion

Just like my jewelry, every wearable item will contribute to my commitment of donating 10% to sea turtle conservation, turning your fashion choices into direct support for healthier oceans.

The Production Journey I'm Exploring

Creating beach attire that aligns with my values means taking a different approach from fast fashion, and I'm currently in the research phase:

Seeking Principled Production Partners

I'm researching small-batch manufacturers who:

  • Maintain fair labor practices and safe working conditions

  • Implement water conservation and recycling systems

  • Use low-impact dyes and printing methods

  • Share my commitment to quality over quantity

This search is taking time, as finding partners who align with all these values while working with a startup brand is challenging but important to me.

The Beach-to-Production Vision

I'm planning a distinctive creative path for each piece:

  1. Inspiration from a specific beach experience or coastal element

  2. Initial hand-sketching of concepts and color combinations

  3. Small test batch production with rigorous wear testing

  4. Refinement based on community feedback

  5. Limited production run to maintain quality and reduce waste

Maintaining the Personal Touch

Even as I partner with others for base production, my plan is to keep my hands involved through:

  • Design development and approval

  • Quality checking of initial samples

  • Adding hand-finished elements to special pieces

  • Personally packaging orders with beach-inspired care

The Future Shore: My Roadmap for Growth

As I build this new branch of Forever Beach Girl, I'm dreaming about where it might lead:

Phased Launch Approach
I'm planning to start small with a few signature pieces—likely 2-3 t-shirt designs and a cap—before expanding into a fuller collection based on your feedback.

Community Co-Creation
I'd love to eventually invite Forever Beach Girl followers to contribute design ideas and feedback for future pieces, truly making this a collaborative beach vision.

Pop-up Experiences
Once the collection has launched, I envision small pop-up events where you can touch the fabrics, try on pieces, and see how they complement my jewelry designs.

Expanded Sustainability Commitments
As the collection grows, I hope to implement:

  • Fully traceable supply chains for all materials

  • Zero plastic packaging throughout our process

  • Carbon-neutral shipping options

  • Take-back programs for worn items

Join Me on This New Wave

I'm so excited to share this next chapter of Forever Beach Girl with you. While my handcrafted jewelry remains the heart of my brand, this expansion into beach attire represents a natural evolution—a new way to spread the beach spirit and conservation message I'm so passionate about. And in the future? I see home and lifestyle options as well!

I'd love your input as I develop these pieces! What would you most like to see in the collection? Which concepts resonate most with you? Your feedback will help shape this new branch of Forever Beach Girl as it grows from sketch to reality.

Stay tuned for updates on my progress and announcements about the first pieces becoming available. I can't wait to see how you'll style these new items with your favorite Forever Beach Girl jewelry!

Catch the wave. Keep the vibe. Join me on this exciting new shore.

From my designing heart to yours,
Beth, Forever Beach Girl

Liz Applegate

Owner and lead marketing strategist at LaunchPromoteGrow.com

https://launchpromotegrow.com
Previous
Previous

Bringing the Beach to Dallas: My 30-Year Journey of Coastal Living in a Landlocked City