Sheila's Out Shopping: Tying the knot

I wore Diane Von Furstenberg’s tied dresses so often in the ‘70s, it started to feel like a uniform. A few years before I was tying my brother’s shirts at my hips and wearing them with rolled-up jeans.

So this year’s style of knotting shirts, dresses, shrugs and shoes brought on dejá vu. Here’s what I found:

Target’s brown and green stripped tie dress ($24.99) is as stylish as a Von Furstenberg without the price. And it can be rolled in a ball and it will look as good as new when you slip it on, because it’s a blend of polyester and spandex. I couldn’t believe that it didn’t wrinkle.

Old Navy has a variety of sandals ($14.50) and espadrilles ($19.50) that tie around the ankle. Espadrilles are the “in” shoe this summer. You’ll have a tough time deciding which color or texture to buy.

I couldn’t resist this fuchsia shirt that ends in a knot from Jami’s ($88). It also comes in white, yellow and blue. It’s perfect for jeans, trousers or skirts. The rich colors and feminine sizing are so much better than my brother’s shirts.

Where to shop

Jami’s, Plaza, 1170 Third St. S., Naples, 262-4299; Village on Venetian Bay, 4266 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples, 252-4944; 850 Fifth Ave., Naples, 262-3359; and The Promenade, 26851 South Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 949-1215

Old Navy, Coastland Center, 1910 U.S. 41 N., Naples, 435-3779; Coconut Point, 8018 Mediterranean Drive, Estero, 992-2294; and 4995 S. Cleveland Ave. (U.S. 41), Fort Myers, (239) 931-3000)

Target, 2324 Pine Ridge Road, 435-0051; 26831 U.S. 41 S., Bonita Springs, 948-2300; and 13711 U.S. 41 S., Fort Myers, (239) 481-8860

New stores

Gymboree Outlet, Miromar Outlets, Corkscrew Road, Estero, 498-6855

T J Maxx and Zale’s Jewelers, Coconut Point Shopping Center, Mediterranean Drive, Estero

Tourneau (watches), Waterside Shops, 5495 U.S. 41 N., Naples, 591-1342

Trend watch

-- Extra large totes and handbags. They are almost the size of luggage.

-- Extra-long necklaces that can also be worn across your body.

-- Ankle boots for women: Not quite shoes and barely boots. Call ‘em shoe-booties.