Island Finds

In the Swim
Somehow, shopping for a swimsuit on a tropical island is so much easier than in a department store in the frozen north. Just knowing the beach is minutes away is inspiring. Swimsuit shoppers on Sanibel and Captiva are sure to find several suits to their liking-there's no shortage of the islands' most popular uniform.

Periwinkle Place's Cricket Shop is a great first stop. The second floor is devoted entirely to swimwear, and one stop here can outfit you from head to toe. In addition to a fabulous array of swimsuits, Cricket carries sarongs, hats, visors, beach bags, and shoes to match. Most importantly, Cricket manufactures and designs several of the suits you'll find there, so you won't see yourself coming and going once you hit the pool. Three of 1998's "hottest" looks are available in Cricket swimwear: shades of brown, stripes, and high necks. Prefer your favorite brands? Jantzen, Gottex, and Roxanne suits also fill the racks. While you're making your selections, be sure to check out the swimwear made with super-durable Italian Lycra. 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/395-2277.

Also on Periwinkle is the bright and cheery Wings. To concentrate on swimsuits, you'll have to resist the shop's many souvenirs and T-shirts, at least for a little while. Wings has a large selection of swimsuit separates for women-tops and bottoms are sold individually, eliminating the headache of shopping for a body that's not quite proportionate. Swimwear by Christina also caters to several body types, with styles that include full figure, waist minimizer, long torso, and bust enhancer. Psychedelic bikinis by Surfside will keep the younger crowd happy, and kids will love the suits by Uzzi Kids. Wings also has a broad variety of men's swimwear from Speedo and Ocean Pacific. 2353 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/395-0091.

Expectant mothers will be happy to find the Beach House for swimwear. Those months just before and after baby can be tough for fitting swimsuits, but Beach House has a nice selection of nursing suits, as well as suits for moms who are "extra" pregnant. This sensitive shop also carries post-mastectomy and large-cup swimsuits. If your needs are straightforward, head straight for the Beach House suits by Ann Cole, CK, Jantzen, Speedo, Electric Beach, and Gottex. Two locations: Periwinkle Place, Sanibel, 941/472-2676; Chadwick Square, Captiva, 941/472-4665.

Sanibel's only department store, The Sporty Seahorse, near the lighthouse, has several fine brands of swimwear, including Christina, Jag, Jantzen, and Roxanne. For difficult-to-fit bodies, the store has an entire rack of suits for women with long torsos. Several types of cover-ups are also available. Men won't feel left out: The Sporty Seahorse has a fantastic men's department. Swim trunks range from the more traditional yet handsome suits from OP and Dolfin to racy Lycra numbers for swimmers with style. 362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-1858.

Ninety-eight percent of sales are driven by two-piece suits at Mango Bay on Sanibel-and the shoppers are not just twenty-somethings, but women of all ages. "The swimsuit for 1998 is hot pants and a halter," says Mango Bay buyer Beth Romeo, who notes her store has hard-to-find "halter tops with built-in cups." In addition to name brands such as Serena, Hobie, Surfside, and Backflips, Mango Bay carries swimwear for toddlers to adult; guys will find Speedos as well as trunks. With a large assortment of T-shirts, cover-ups, jewelry, and accessories to match, savvy shoppers can look as festive as the tropical birds that live just outside Mango Bay. 1700 Periwinkle Way, in Jerry's Shopping Center, Sanibel, 941/472-6678.

Another option if you have kids in need of swimwear is Periwinkle Place's boutique for children, Lads and Lassies. Boys can choose from Speedo and Big Fish swimwear, while girls have an even broader selection: Anita G, Sweet Potatoes, Back Flips, Gottex, and Speedo. Kids will also love the matching hats and beach shoes sold there. 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-1180. -LBM