Accent Is on Specialty Stores in Ft. Lauderdale

This is the resort that’s praised for its fashionable boutiques and specialty shops lining Las Olas Boulevard.

Our advice--visit the following:

Pauline Pocock Antiques (No. 607) has high-quality and pricey furniture and home accessories, mostly from the late 18th Century and first half of the 19th Century. They are displayed in a homelike atmosphere, including a four-piece English silver coffee and tea service (dated 1948, about $4,400), a long clock made of mahogany and oak (dated 1780 for $2,500) and an 18th-Century Delft covered jar ($2,200). The piece de resistance is a Duncan Phyfe sofa ($35,000).

Needlepoint Originals (No. 615) sells a wide range of canvas and yarn kits (from $38) for do-it-yourself needlepoint pillows with colorful floral and geometric patterns, as well as ready-made needlepoint pillow covers (from $72). Also a selection of Haitian paintings ($200 and up), plus objets d’art from small hand-carved wooden animals (from $18) to large wooden cubes that have been painted with jungle scenes on all sides and may be used as end tables or seats.

Paris Follies (No. 617) specializes in decorative casual clothes: denim jackets are emblazoned with a hand-painted New York City skyline, studded and sequined across the back ($299), and jeans have patches of yellow flowers lavishly embroidered at the hips (from $60).

Lounge Lizards International (No. 703) sells its own line of colorful one- or two-tone lizard deck shoes (from $165 to $185), plus a selection of color-coordinated silk separates (skirts are $100 and tops about $130) and lizard belts ($55).

Etc. Gifts (No. 704) features inexpensive home accessories, including decorative etched gourds ($20), silver trays (from $150) and round picture frames made of hand-blown colored glass ($60). Most are South American imports.

Patchington (No. 710) sells its own line of mix-and-match pastel-colored clothes made from its patented silk-like fabric. Skirts cost about $96, blouses about $120 and coat dresses about $150. Also attractive ultra-suede outfits with slacks for $180 and jackets for $260. All are machine washable.

Flora Ottimer (No. 713-B) is one of Florida’s most famous children’s stores. American labels are featured and prices are affordable. Infants’ play suits are from $35. Preteens can be dressed in slacks and sweaters for $50 and up per outfit. Also, colorful accessories, such as the Guatemalan barrettes ($10) that have little rag and wire dolls on them. Selected toys, too.

Games (No. 726) is Ft. Lauderdale’s ultimate toy store for kids and adults. Favorites include miniature working sailboats (from $15), an international doll collection (from $35 each), mechanical toys for little engineers, stuffed bears in Victorian dress ($55) and toy trucks in all sizes and shapes, as well as the latest American and imported board games.

Maus & Hoffman (No. 800), Ft. Lauderdale’s premier haberdashery, is conservative and elegant, with men’s lightweight wool business suits from about $900, Chanel-style ladies suits in lambskin from about $1,750, men’s and women’s cashmere coats from $1,995, sweaters from $295 and socks from $25.

Cotton shirts, including Liberty prints and more traditional stripes or solid colors, cost about $35 to $125. Bally and Bruno Magli shoes are featured.

Seasonal suspenders decorated with candy canes cost $75, and a Christmas tie is $40. The store also has a rich array of golf and casual attire, plus a selection of leather and leather-trimmed luggage. Also, briefcases, wallets, handbags and a collection of scrimshaw pocket knives and desk accessories (from $65).

Maus & Hoffman also offers different gift wrap: Sheets of freshly-printed uncut dollar bills from the U.S. Treasury. The gift wrap costs $55 per sheet.

Country Collection (No. 804) features bed quilts (from $150) and kid’s quilted jumpers ($49) as well as rabbit-shaped planters ($16), feather dusters with hand-carved wooden handles ($20) and tulip-shaped candlestick holders ($42 per pair), along with other suburban accessories.

Alice John Rogers (No. 805), a Las Olas tradition, sells evening gowns ($225 to $450) bedecked with lace, sequins and beading, as well as hot-pink poof cocktail dresses and mother-of-the-bride dresses in demure pink silk and lace, plus silk blazers (about $100) and conservative day dresses (about $150 and up).

La Paloma (No. 806) sells cotton batik pantsuits with cummerbund belts in contrasting colors ($150) and dresses ($70), plus accessories that include necklaces made from tiny worry dolls ($35) and enormous decorative straw handbags with leather trim ($90).

J & J Bridals (No. 811) offers both wedding and evening attire and gift items. The versatile gowns, including numbers adorned with silver sequins or black beads, are from $230. Gift items include Au Bain Marie duck-shaped pitchers ($29), cookbooks and collections of old-fashioned wooden cookie cutters ($85 per set).

Haberdashery of New England (No. 813) sells a fun and flashy line of preppy styles, including Pringle cotton sweaters in a swarm of colors (about $50), sea-worthy white heavy cotton jackets with a multitude of pockets ($110) or Nantua sailing jackets in red, white and blue ($80), plus Madras shorts ($32) and denim shirts ($90).

Vielle Provence (No. 814) is the outlet here for dresses fashioned from Les Olivades French provincial fabrics. Cotton sun dresses from $95, queen-size quilted bags in matching or complimentary patterns are $95 and umbrellas are $75. Also, huge cotton shawls that might be used as decorative table cloths ($52), plus place mats ($60 for four) and plastic-coated serving trays ($34). The shop also sells some French provincial antique furniture.

Chisholm Halle (No. 816) is the source for American, European and Asian couturier fashions, including Dior and Oscar de la Renta labels. Prices begin at $600. Alterations are completed within six days.

The Chemist Shop (No. 817), an old-fashioned pharmacy, has gift items including BMW, Jaguar and Cadillac logo mugs intended for use in cars ($12), floral enamel tape dispensers ($17) and packets of stationery showing rainbows or golf scenes (from $5).

At The Hall Closet (No. 820) owner Molly MacKenzie-Hall has assembled exclusive ensembles of well-known labels including Kansai, Chacock and Linea S, and art-wear designers who specialize in spectacular one-of-a-kind items.

A velvet vest with a reproduction of Rembrandt’s “Laughing Cavalier” ($1,500), overcoats with hand-painted iridescent geometric designs ($400), three-piece silk ensembles with contrasting and reversible linings ($450), hand-beaded bustiers ($175) and handbags that look like puppies or clownish puppets ($225).

The Outdoor Place (No. 822) has a large selection of lawn and deck furniture of wicker or sturdy plastic, plus sun umbrellas ($119 to $289) and antique wicker kiddy strollers (from $500).

Wicker World (No. 824) carries wicker furniture, home and personal accessories, including comfortable Key West-style sofas ($524), flower-covered dome-shaped centerpieces ($50), dinette sets ($690 with table and four cushioned chairs).