In addition to azure waters, white sand beaches and iconic architecture, Sarasota has a cultural character and style all its own, and local shops overflow with fashions and home décor with an artistic allure that perfectly suits our sophisticated seaside lifestyle. From artist-created fashions to vibrant home accessories, they’re brimming with creative coastal spirit.

Sail away with hand block printed pillows in dreamy seaworthy tones of indigo and white by trend-setting couture brand John Robshaw, each $138 including insert. Coquillage, 1515 Main St., Sarasota, (941) 487-7160.   

Explore Sarasota’s cultural treasures in the chic comfort of Kate Spade’s delightful Pointer floral print sneakers made by Keds ($75). Reasons, 21 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, (941) 388-1602.

With totally tropical designs evoking Miami and Palm Beach in the 1950s, the new Resort collection by Thibaut (shown on their custom order furniture) comes in wallpaper and fabric in playful beach patterns and colors. The Wallpaper Store, 7368 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 924-3640.

Picture-perfect beach party dinners designed by Debbie Wentzel are easy to reproduce. Everything you need to create this gorgeous table (dubbed Saundra Lynn) is pre-packaged for $449 at shoppeimages.com

Cruise Couture from Gucci’s newest collection features beach prints in pants, tops and this silk halter dress with beach balls and umbrellas ($2,800). Saks Fifth Avenue, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, (941) 364-5300.

Decorative arts take on new meaning at Rustic Rooster, where 17th-century antiques and vintage pieces are spiffed up with Annie Sloane chalk paint and, in this case, with a decoupage using an old photo of the Ringling bridge ($895). Rustic Rooster, 602 S. Pineapple, Sarasota, (941) 451-9222.

Hand-painted porcelain birds of paradise like Kubla Crafts’ white egret, blue heron and this flamingo ($499) fly out the door as soon as they arrive at Envie Home Decor, 1411 First St., Sarasota, (941) 366-7027.

For more Sarasota shopping and fashion finds, click here.

This article appears in the January 2013 issue of Sarasota Magazine. Like what you read? Click here to subscribe. >>