6 Best Places to Shop in The Aeolian Islands, Sicily

Panarea native and stylist Giovanna Mandarano captures the vitality of the island with her women's clothing and accessories line that's known for bold prints, flowing fabrics, and lots and lots of color. Though there are now multiple locations throughout Sicily and in Rome, the original Panarea location, which opened in 2006, remains the heart of the collection. This is your go-to boutique for the effortlessly chic style that the island is known for.

French artist Elise Collet Soravito has made Alicudi her home, and in her studio, she creates chunky, colorful jewelry, pottery, and paintings inspired by the island, from lemon still-lifes to landscapes. Shopping is a very rudimentary experience (there's no storefront per se), but you can arrange a visit to see her work and pick up handcrafted souvenirs of your stay. 

Italians are passionate about footwear, and the summer island uniform requires a collection of sandals for that perfect dolce far niente look. This third-generation shoe shop specializes in bespoke handcrafted sandals made from all-natural materials like leather and snakeskin. Choose your style (from some 20-plus designs), heel height, material, and color. They'll measure your foot, and within 30 minutes your custom sandals are ready to walk out the door. 

Born from owner Natalie Rossi’s dream in 2014 to start a new life (mollo tutto means to throw it all away), this playful little shop has since grown up a lot. In addition to a line of nautical-themed clothing, some products are made from an innovative fabric created with recycled fishing nets, a project that not only respects the sea but raises awareness of its fragility. These garments are 100% sustainable, which makes a positive impact on the environment.

Artisan Barbara Calabresi hand dyes yarns and silk with vegetable dyes from the island's flora (chamomile, artichokes, pomegranates); she weaves the thread into fabric, then designs and produces clothing and housewares (tablecloths, bedspreads, and rugs) from the cloth. Shop her charming boutique, or sign up for one of her special courses where you can learn how to dye and weave on a “nomadic” loom. All classes are suitable for beginners. Barbara has also added botanical printing (transferring the pigments of leaves and flowers onto fabric) to her skill set and clothing line. The shop is open only by appointment.

For all your caftan needs—the effortlessly stylish uniform of summer—the team at Tacchi Dadi e Datteri has you covered. Breezy linen dresses form the heart of their offerings, but you'll also find breathable button-downs, men's seersucker swim trunks, and colorful alpargatas that are Sicily's chic answer to Tom's slip-ons. There are also branches in Filicudi and Stromboli.