An outpost of the well-known Italian boutique on that other island of indulgences, Capri. You’ll find exquisite clothes and sheets in the finest linens. You can order custom sets with edging, contrast and embroidery to your specifications; all will be made in Italy and shipped to you. But you can walk out with one of the finely cut jackets or shirts.

A source for fun beach wear with a slight hippy edge. Slinky white crochet cover-ups and flowing maxi dresses as well as super skimpy shorts are some of the staples.

Sonia de Baya, who was born to a Toureg father in Tunisia, has scoured much of Africa to bring special treasures to St. Barth’s. Her boutique is named after her beloved grandmother. Don’t be surprised if you find her opening boxes from Ethiopia, Mali or Kenya. Artisans send new products weekly. Among our favorite finds: hand-made baskets from Senegal, soft throws from Tunisia and pottery from Ethiopia.

This little shop in the arcade just in front of Nikki Beach sells a broad selection of beach cover-ups and bathing suits by local and international designers. Look out for the great boys’ bathing suits and colorful kaftans that come in adult and children’s sizes so fathers and sons and mothers and daughters can wear matching beach outfits. They also have straw fedoras in a rainbow of colors.

Beach chic in this Gustavia outpost on the town's main drag means an easy mix of bohemian dresses, coverups, hats and other fun accessories that are just right for life at the beach. You'll also find whimsical tote bags, artwork, photography and art books, all culled and curated by former Calypso founder Christiane Celle.

Some of the prettiest jewelry on the island can be found in this fashion boutique, which also carries women’s fashions and accessories. The highlights are the soft cotton t-shirts and linen blouses and jewelry by 5Octobre, a delicate line that mixes gold and silver and semi precious stones.

The founder of French Indies Design Karine Bruneel comes from a prestigious textile family in Lyon. She moved to St. Barth’s in 1999 and opened an architecture and design firm that has worked on such iconic on-island properties as Eden Rock as well as many private residences. Now with her shop in the historic Brigantin building on Gustavia harbor, it is possible to browse and buy from her eclectic home and fashion collection. You’ll find beach accessories and comfy cotton t-shirts mixed in with housewares, furniture and lighting.

Jean-Pierre Hennequet owns this gallery of art and antiques from Asia and Africa. In addition to the special statues and relics that he has found on his travels, he carries beautiful shawls from the Himalayan Cashmere Company, the same company that makes scarves for specialty stores like Takashimaya and others.

This is the shoe shop in Gustavia with serious designer offerings--from Jimmy Choos to YSL. It also carries a pleasing assortment of handbags, totes and accessories. Carrie Bradshaw would be in heaven here.

This surfer chic shop has sister outposts in Maui and Montauk and other hip beach destinations. Its owners source designs from all over the world, including jewelry by cult goldsmith James Colarusso in New York and reversible bathing suits in Italy that are made exclusively for Imrie.

Lisa Schiller came to St. Barth’s in her 20s and she has a great sense of the island’s style for both day and night. Her sheer blouses and cover-ups come in great prints and her cotton pique jumpsuits or silk pants are perfect for time off the beach.

With two shops on the island, Laurent Effel has become a St. Barth’s favorite. The sign that hangs outside its main store in Gustavia on the Passage de la Crémaillière bears a crocodile that declares the boutique’s specialty: exotic skins. You’ll love the leather goods from wallets and bags to shoes in new and classic styles, including knockoff Birkins and Hermès H sandals—a great array of skins and colors at very good prices for those who don’t have to have the real thing. Everything is made in the company’s factory in Milan and can now be ordered online. The driving moccasins in every color are perfect for island wear. There is also an outpost on Rue du Général de Gaulle selling women’s shoes and bags.

Mandie Vere Nicoll has set the trends in beach style on St. Barth’s for decades. First out of her tiny boutique by the bar at Isle de France. Now, she is doing the same with her tiny boutique on the beach at Le Toiny. Set in a restored stone farmer’s cottage, the tiny shop is packed with treasures that reveal her spot-on beachy taste. She buys in limited quantities so guests who come throughout the year will always be surprised and you will not see the same designs on others.

Founded by Faby Jaca, a former entertainment publicist, in 1995, this boutique is one of the prime places to pick up elegant resort fashions, including caftans with colorful embroidery and silk dresses, pants and tops in sophisticated tropical prints and kimono-esque cover-ups. Some of the silk-satin prints resemble slightly souped-up Pucci prints.

This Gustavia shop, a satellite of the Paris boutique from Liliane Jossua (formerly of Calypso), stocks a host of young and established designers and their floral-patterned maxi dresses, flouncy tops and skirts as well as  fine leather accessories, bags and sandals.

Parisian transplant Pati Guyot moved to St. Barth’s in the ’80s to work on her painting and ceramic arts. She developed her iconic island logo in her silk-screen workshop and now sells it on comfy clothes and easy accessories in two shops on the island and online. You’ll find the Thai wrap pants so popular with locals, plus lots of T-shirts.

This tiny, aptly named space tucked into a back corner next to the bar at Pearl Beach restaurant in St. Jean, near Nikki Beach, stocks an assortment of boldly patterned filmy coverups as well as boho caftans and raffia clutches and totes; browse between courses.

The beach dresses and tops (from halters to crocheted wraps) here have a breezy, sexy style with a bohemian, flirty appeal.

All of the clothes and accessories sold under the Sabina Zest label are made on St. Barth’s. The fine cotton and linen in an array of soft pastels and classic tones like chocolate brown are what unify the collection. Styles include pedal pushers and peasant blouses, long tiered skirts and children’s shirts with delicate ruffle trims and sleeveless dresses.

Stéphane Lanson and Bernard Blancaneaux moved to St. Barth’s in 1982 years ago and decided to share their fashion sense with the paying public. This is the place on the island to find top designer names under one roof, including Emanuel Ungaro, Valentino, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Hervé Léger and Thierry Mugler.

Beyond the fancy designer shops—from Louis Vuitton to Prada—Gustavia is chockablock with chic options showcasing a range of original looks. This boutique sells flirty, feminine frocks (almost exclusively) in soft tones, from dusty rose to pale blue to white. Bonus: There's a Shellona outpost nearby.

Founded by Valerie Bourdin in 2002, Vanita Rosa captures the high-end hippie aesthetic of St. Barth’s with fringed caftans and flowing maxi dresses. Bourdin had worked in photography and for Dolce & Gabbana before launching her own line so there is a sexy glamour to her designs.

The Caribbean outpost of one of our favorite stores from Paris. Come for lovely linen shirts, flirty blouses and timeless accessories, including colorful straw hats and printed scarves.

Looking for classic French swim trunks and beach wear, head to this shop with outposts in Gustavia and St. Jean (just outside of the Nikki Beach entrance).