Shaina Ducosin makes her living up in the air as a Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant, but she’d almost always rather be in the ocean. Her self-described “beach chic” style relies heavily on sundresses and maxi dresses, high-waisted shorts, crop tops, slippers, kimonos, ripped jeans and, of course, bikinis.
“I’ve just grown up in bikinis,” said Ducosin. “And I feel like moving away for college has made me appreciate where I live more, so I feel more comfortable being in my bikini because I couldn’t do it in San Diego.”
Her favorite local bikini brands are Acacia Swimwear and San Lorenzo, but for surfing or hiking, when her suit really needs to stay in place, she prefers Dakine.
Outside of bikinis, Ducosin frequently shops at local boutiques Mahina and Fighting Eel and at surf shops such as Hawaiian South Shore and HIC.
“I love the high-neck bikinis, and I love that you can wear high-waisted shorts with it and cruise down the North Shore,” she said. “I love black and seafoam; that’s, like, my whole closet.”
See more of Ducosin’s style on Instagram.
BIKINI ADDICTION
“I have two full drawers filled with bikinis. The top drawer holds all of my tops and then the drawer underneath it is filled with all my bottoms. It’s ridiculous, and I still look online for more; it’s an addiction.”
ACCESSORIZING
Ducosin’s love for the ocean is also evident in the jewelry she creates under her Treasures by Umiko brand. Her best-selling Nami ring (“nami” means “wave” in Japanese) is one piece that never comes off.
Other than when she’s skateboarding, Ducosin is always wearing at least three of her bangles adorned with Tahitian pearls or sea glass or shells she’s collected on local beaches.
AU NATUREL
“I was never allowed to wear makeup in high school, and even if I tried to put makeup on, my dad would be like, ‘What’s on your face?’ At the same time he followed that with, ‘You’re already naturally pretty, you don’t need to put that crap on your face.’
“And to be honest I don’t have time to put it on. Besides work I just want to wake up and go. I don’t want to wake up early to put something on my face besides sunscreen.
“If I have to, I’ll put on Clinique Stay-Matte Oil-Free Makeup, but it’s not full coverage so it’s nice with matte setting powder and some mascara and that’s it.”
FLIGHTS OF FASHION
Traveling as a flight attendant has brought opportunities for Ducosin to gather unique pieces from around the globe. Her favorite is a happi coat she bought in Osaka, Japan, that she wears like a kimono.
“Island Lookbook” is a weekly feature of the Star-Advertiser Sunday Magazine that spotlights local trendsetters. Email features@staradvertiser.com.
