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January/February
2001
 Dig
Your Toes into Sandals
Beach, sun,
sand, warm temperatures—they all add up to sandals. Lucky you didn’t
try to buy sandals before you came here, because there’s a wealth
of fabulous footwear on the islands.
“We specialize in sandals,” says Tony
Rinaldi of Rinaldi Fashion Shoes on Palm Ridge Road. “We carry
a lot of European-type sandals, comfort-oriented shoes for women, shoes
with metatarsal and arch supports.” Rinaldi carries Onex and Fly
Flot sandals, both of which are fairly dressy styles made in Italy and,
he adds, “Our La Plume sandals fly out the door.” Rinaldi also
has a nice selection of metallics in pewter and gold. Open 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Palm Ridge Plaza on Palm Ridge Road,
Sanibel; 941/472-5666.
Head for Peach Republic in Periwinkle Place
for another option. An abundance of brands awaits you, including Onex,
Unisa, Art Effects, Lia Bijou, Callisto, Hush Puppies, Ann Marino, and
Primo Royale. Whether you want flats, mid- or high-heeled sandals, you’ll
find them in both strappy and chunky styles. Metallics are in evidence
as well, with several choices of sandals in silver or pewter. “Sandals
by Onex have a lot of stones and glitter on them,” says owner Ginger
Peters, “and right now the animal prints are big, and we have quite
a few of those.” Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10
a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Periwinkle Place
Shopping Center, 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 941/472-8444.
Also in Periwinkle Place is perennial favorite
Maggie Elliott. “We have lots of faux prints,” says Saundra
Dumais, “and instead of clunky, we’re seeing more strappy sandals
in fun colors like red, green, and blue.” Maggie Elliott is known
for its Brighton line of leather goods and accessories, which is expanding
to include shoes. Shoe lovers will be dazzled by sandals with beads, crystals,
linen, even raffia. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon
to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Periwinkle Place Shopping Center, 2075 Periwinkle
Way, Sanibel; 941/472-2230.
Sandal shoppers unwilling to compromise their
comfort will be tickled pink by selections for the whole family at Comfort
by Design, Sanibel’s source for Birkenstock, Mephisto, and Ecco.
Birkenstock designs its shoes to put your feet in their natural walking
position. Mephistos combine the benefits of a sandal with the comfort
of an orthopedic shoe, but comfort hardly means stodgy. Sandals come in
an array of styles with hues as exciting as lime green, bright orange,
and light blue. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or by
special appointment. Lime Tree Center, 1640 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel;
941/395-0666.
If you thought Footloose was just a song
and movie, think again. Lovers of the great outdoors will be thrilled
with the selection from Teva, Naot, and Clarks. You’ll find animal-print
sandals by La Plume, ultra-feminine designs by Pierre Dumas and Seychelles,
and footwear by Grudy, which are architectural and high on style. Footloose
also has the ultracool Skechers that are popular with the younger set,
classic leather sandals by StoneFly, beautifully artful sandals by Art
Effects, and island-style footwear by Tommy Bahama. Even sandals by a
company named Sanuk (Thai for “fun and happiness”) can be found
at Footloose; they are made of unusual materials and defy description—“zany”
is a good start. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. Jerry’s Center,
1700 Periwinkle Way at Casa Ybel Road, Sanibel; 941/472-4717.
Adventurers will want to stop in at Stanley
& Livingston’s unique shop in The Village. It carries sandals
made by Columbia Sportswear, the outdoor clothing company famous for comfort
and durability. Columbia sandals come in leather, but it won’t hurt
them to get wet. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon
to 5 Sunday. The Village Shops, 2340 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel;
941/472-8485.
Elegant occasions can definitely include sandals
from The Lion’s Paw. How about a beaded brocade design? Or
St. Tropez thongs with sequins for glamorous fun? Classics also can be
found in go-with-anything black or brown. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every
day. 1025 Periwinkle Way, near the causeway, across from Lazy Flamingo,
Sanibel; 941/472-0909.
A laid-back atmosphere awaits you at Memories
of Sanibel in the Olde Sanibel Shops. Wish you could find a pair of
sandals that lets you transition from beach to restaurant for dinner?
No problem. Children can come along and pick out a pair for themselves.
Even Dad will find sandals to suit him. Open every day, Olde Sanibel
Shops, Tarpon Bay Road at Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 941/395-1410.
At Winds, flip-flop lovers will flip for Nike
sandals in royal blue, lime green, black, or brown. Winds also carries
Glenda flip-flops for as low as $7.99 a pair. If you’re wanting flowery,
pretty, casual, and affordable, blow into Winds. Open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
every day, 2353 Periwinkle Way at Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel; 941/395-0091.
On Sanibel’s East End is The Sporty Seahorse
Shop. It bills itself as the island’s only true department store.
There, among everything else, you’ll find a true shoe department.
Sandals line many of the mirrored walls, and styles suit activities ranging
from beach walks to dinner and dancing. Brands like Unisa, Enzo Angiolini,
Onex, Sperry, and Lifestride have made this shoe department a hit with
locals for years. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 362 Periwinkle
Way, near the Sanibel Lighthouse; 941/472-1858.
Moms will want to take their daughters across
the street to Keylime Clothing Company, owned by Allie Duenas and
her husband, Alan. Sandals by Cobian Soulwear are often beaded and offer
little girls the option of having sandals “just like Mommy’s”
with clothes to match. (Somebody call a photographer!) “We found
some really cool sandals at the Surf Expo and all are very reasonably
priced, under $25,” Allie says. “In the Havianas line, I have
a nice selection,” she continues, “with wedge sandals in colors
to match our clothing.” There are choices for both boys and girls,
and men will find a good solid, functional sandal that is soft and flexible.
Winter hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, 359 Periwinkle Way; also
near the lighthouse, Sanibel; 941/395-1870.
So you’re staying on Captiva and want sandals?
No problem. Head for Beach Stuff, which carries sandals for the
whole family. Choose from Teva, Nike, Reef, and Cuda, or grab a generic
pair for a song. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, Captiva Village
Square, Captiva Drive, in “downtown” Captiva; 941/472-3544.
Fugates, a fabulous department store in
the heart of downtown Boca Grande since 1916, recognized long ago that
people who live on the water, in a boating community, want good sandals.
“What’s popular for us are the Jag sandals,” says Nancy
Blank, general manager. “We have people ordering them from all over
the United States. The fact is that they are very, very comfortable, and
they last a very long time. Jags are manufactured with swimsuit material,
so they hold up very well in salt and chlorine conditions,” she says.
“The other sandals we carry are Sperry. They’re a boat shoe,
an excellent quality shoe.” Open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through
Saturday, and 9:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, Fourth Street and Park Avenue,
Boca Grande; 941/964-2323.
Libby Boren McMillan is an island resident and a freelance writer.
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