Local Woman Launches Business Betting on Bathing Suit Solution (Video)

Stephanie Magee, like millions of mothers before her, was stumped. Her son was uncomfortable in his swimsuit, at age 8, and was old enough to let her know it.

"Every year, every vacation, every summer it would come up," said Magee. "It didn't matter if it was the beach or the pool, he was chafing and it was a problem for all of us."

And like millions of mothers, Magee tried every quick fix she could dream up: Various styles of suits, snipping out the lining, underwear under the bathing suit; you name it, she tried it. And then she tried something else -- designing a suit of her own.

The resulting design -- a suit with a longer interior liner made of a soft nylon blend that fits almost like athletic compression shorts -- has become the keystone piece of Magee's new Coastal Dog Apparel line.

The outer lining is a quick-drying, lightweight nylon, and underneath there's a soft nylon blend that fits snugly enough to prevent sand from creeping upwards and becoming too much of an irritant.

Magee began working on the designs about a year ago and launched the Coastal Dog Apparel line in early February. The bathing suits are available right now at a store in Wellesley and online at CoastalDogApparel.com, where the tag line is "Beach Day Should be All Day." Magee hopes to expand in-store sales as the brand grows.

The suits are available in sizes 6 to 14 for boys and S, M and L for men. They cost $45 for a boys suit and $52 for mens.

Now 10, Magee's son is (jokingly) ready to collect royalties. But that's not going to happen. His mother is donating all of the proceeds to Horizons for Homless Children.

Magee said it's important to her that the proceeds benefit charity. Coastal Dog's donations potentially could expand beyond Horizons if the company expands in the coming eyars, she said.

"I've always admired companies that donate all of their profits to charity and ca become successful, and I hope to be able to do that with Coastal Dog," said Magee. "Anywhere there are boys and men who chafe, this is the suit for them."

For more information about Coastal Dog Apparel, visit the company website at CoastalDogApparel.com.