By Janet K. Keeler

When in Naples, shop upscale. That is easily accomplished at Waterside Shops on the Tamiami Trail, better known as U.S. 41.

Naples, on the southwest Gulf of Mexico coast, has long been a haven for the wealthy to buy art and shop, and escape blustery weather up north. The well-heeled descend in the mild winter months giving it the second-highest per capita number of millionaires in the country.

Not a millionaire but still want to shop like one? Head to Waterside and its open-air collection of 60 stores, including some of the nation’s toniest clothiers like Saks Fifth Avenue and Tony Burch. Waterside is technically in Pelican Bay, just north of Naples but it’s less than 10 miles from downtown Naples and draws most of its customers from there.

Waterside’s name comes from its many water features, including fountains and calming canals meandering through the complex. It’s nearly impossible to resist tossing in a few coins for good luck. It’s good to know that the money collected from the fountains and other water features is given to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, an organization dedicated to protecting the state’s water, land and wildlife.

After dropping a few coins in the fountains, design your day trip to Waterside with an eye on the designer shops.

Handbags can be had at Tory Burch, where the new floral chain bag complements any summer dress. And think about this, if you’re a year-round Florida resident, you are wearing summer dresses year-round. Figure that into the price tag.

Speaking of Florida style, Lilly Pulitzer is all about that laid-back tropical look. The hallmark pink-and-green floral print dresses, pants, shorts and tops signal you are ready to play and maybe even for a pina colada. The Sunshine State boasts five cruise ports with ships heading for warm locales throughout the Caribbean and beyond. Lilly Pulitzer resort clothes would like fine on any ship’s Lido deck.

For 40 years, designer Ralph Lauren has been redefining the American style with clothes that are fit for a grouper sandwich dinner or a night at the Oscars. That polo player atop a horse logo has long signaled quality and exclusiveness. A Waterside boutique stocks all the designer’s latest fashions.

And you haven’t yet stopped at Louis Vuitton, Lulelemon Athletica, Gucci or Ann Taylor.

Oh, and speaking of motors, how about ordering a new model Tesla electric car on the way out? After all, you have been shopping in the playground of the ultra-rich all day.

When you go…

Waterside Shops
5415 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, FL 34108
239-598-1605   

More shopping...

SHOPPING AT TANGER OUTLETS IN DAYTONA BEACH 

SHOPPING AT COCONUT POINT MALL IN FORT MYERS 

SHOPPING AT THE OAKS MALL IN GAINESVILLE 

SHOPPING AT ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER IN JACKSONVILLE 

SHOPPING AT ELLENTON PREMIUM OUTLETS ON FLORIDA'S WEST COAST 

SHOPPING AT THE FALLS IN KENDALL 

SHOPPING AT ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL PREMIUM OUTLETS

SHOPPING AT PIER PARK MALL IN PANAMA CITY BEACH

SHOPPING AT UNIVERSITY TOWN CENTER IN SARASOTA

SHOPPING AT ST. AUGUSTINE PREMIUM OUTLETS

SHOPPING AT GOVERNORS SQUARE MALL IN TALLAHASSEE 

SHOPPING AT TAMPA PREMIUM OUTLETS

SHOPPING AT WINTER PARK VILLAGE

PLACES TO REMEMBER

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