Cheryl Shops

The Cheryl Shops resort shopping guide
Somewhere between the fall and spring collections, designers tend to bust out "resortwear" or "cruise collections," geared toward those who head toward warmer climes this time of year. Since the weather is crapola here, this makes perfect sense. However, while some people can afford to jet off to Antigua or St. Maarten for weeks or months at a time, some of us, um, go to Florida for a long weekend. But wherever you go, you're going to need five basics. So here they are, in two price levels: Turks and Caicos (pricey) and Mexico (budget).

Ruffled bikini
Turks & Caicos: It's a bit gauche and more than you probably want to pay for a swimsuit, but as soon as I saw this Juicy Couture bikini, I knew I had to have it. The white eyelet will look great with a tan, the ruffled bottom (with cheeky Juicy logo across the butt) is flattering, and it even comes pre-accessorized with a pearl belt.
Mexico: Lucky's full bloom bikini (top sold separately) is a similar style, but in color for those afraid of white.

Pareo
Turks & Caicos: You need something to drape around your hips for quick trips from your private cabana to the beach. Enter Vivre's ultra-luxurious beaded silk pareo.
Mexico: J.Crew's paisley pareo (third item) is a slightly more modest--but still cute--version.

Tube dress
Turks & Caicos: I bought a Juicy Couture tube dress last year for my trip to Roatan and I wore it every day--over my bikini, out to dinner, wherever. This year's tie-dye tunic is a great spin on this new staple.
Mexico: This dip-dye dress is a bit darker but, at $30, an excellent deal.

Tunic
Turks & Caicos: Like the tube dress, you can throw this Nanette Lepore tunic over your bikini and head to lunch, but the embroidery gives is a slightly dressier feel.
Mexico: Newport News' chiffon tunic is sheer, but with gorgeous embroidery that, at $24.99, is quite a good deal. Throw it over a cami and denim skirt and head out to the disco.

Jeweled sandals
Turks & Caicos: While you can be barefoot everywhere, sometimes you don't always want to be. Enter Hollywould's Tikiman thongs, which put a little bling on your feet, but in a subtle way.
Mexico: Yellow Box's Victory sandal incorporates beading from this season's must-have moccasins.

Straw tote
Turks & Caicos: You need a bag to tote your sunscreen, sunglasses, iPod, trashy novel, and so on. Give a semi-ironic nod to your borough (Manhattan, I'd presume), with Kate Spade's borough bag, a basic straw tote with a twist.
Mexico: You can't go wrong with this very classic straw tote from Newport News.