Get on board and shop till you drop dead

The Greek islands offer plenty of resort boutiques to attract the more demanding consumer. Mykonos is the most renowned for its elite designer shops, but discerning buyers can find trendy treasure troves on other islands such as Santorini, Paros and even nearby Aegina.

Soho Soho > Located on Mykonos’ famed Matoyianni passageway where celebrities ranging from Jean Paul Gaultier to Sakis Rouvas are snapped sauntering from boutique to bar, this cult fashion den sells a carefully chosen selection of casual-chic beach pieces like decorated leather sandals, slogan T-shirts, print bikinis and colourful kaftans. Don’t miss the menswear shop opposite, which offers metrosexual print shirts and scarves, baggy cargo pants and easy flip-flops. 46 Matoyianni Street, Mykonos, tel 22890 26760.

Fistiki > A treat for rummagers, this shop has three small rooms filled to the brim with ornaments, hair accessories, jewellery, kaftans, T-shirts, swimwear, candles, coffee mugs and much, much more. Shoppers wandering the backstreets of Aegina town are lured in by the racks of colourful Havaiana rubber flip-flops and practical beach bags dangling outside, and emerge hours later clasping bagfuls of unusual finds. 15 Panagi Irioti Street, Aegina, tel 22970 28327.

Bit of Salt > This super-funky surf shop is located between Naousa and the famed windsurfing beaches of Paros. Boys love admiring the boards with their graffiti/comicstrip art, checking out the kitesurfing gear and the gorgeous bronzed babes in the advertising photos for surf brands like Killer Loop, Reef and Quiksilver, and trying on the low-slung floral Bermudas and the sporty wraparound shades from Oakley and Arnette. Girls, meanwhile, love the selection of vivid-hued Brazilian-cut bikinis and printed hot-pants, as well as the eyecandy provided by the washboard-stomached bleached-blonde surf dudes who drop in to fix their boards and exchange gossip about where to catch the best waves. Archilochos, Paros, tel 22840 42757.

Ammos > Going for sunset cocktails overlooking the caldera and want to look suitably fabulous? Need a stylish piece to dress up your beach outfit for dinner? Ammos offers chic summer essentials like intricate beaded sandals by Ioannis and reworked retro jewellery by Katerina Psoma, flamboyant T-shirts and bags embellished with crystals, badges and slogans by 2B, and extravagant leather bags and shoes made by Dukas. As well as the pieces by creative young Greek talents, there are also imported goodies, including footwear from Italy. Branches in Fira, tel 22860 28744, and Kamari, tel 22860 32801, Santorini.

Elena Votsi > Votsi is rightly famed for her characteristic, elaborate designs with gold and precious stones. The white-painted shop on the harbourfront of her native Hydra offers the island’s discriminating international visitors a full collection of her chunky gold necklaces and signature rock rings, as well as silver charms and other unique keepsakes. 3 Economou Street, Hydra, tel 22980 52637.

Tara > Patmos’ beautiful and stylish crowd flock to these celebrated sister boutiques to pick up their summer essentials. The stock combines pieces by Greek designers, Angela Rapti’s elaborately decorated leather sandals, milliner Katerina Karoussos’ fabulous handmade straw boaters, Neroli’s unique embroidered army bags and design duo Aesthetic Theory’s flowing silk print sundresses, with carefully chosen imports, including colourful pareos and kaftans handmade in Kenya and bikinis from Poisson d’Amour and Pin Up. Don’t miss the collection of silk or cotton dresses and skirts made by the shop’s charming owner, Tania Topouza. Branches in Skala, tel 22470 32293, and Hora, tel 22470 32193, Patmos.