Granted, with a world class offshore
finance sector, you are likely to see a couple of suits and ties around.
However, when it comes to clothing that really goes with the island life style,
nothing fits the bill better than surf wear. After all, what more do you need
than a couple of good t-shirts, some good board shorts, and a pair of
flip-flops?
At Blue Wave, located on Shedden Road next
to the museum, Elisabeth Heal has gathered together a selection of some of the world’s
top surf brands, including Quicksilver, Billabong and Roxy, to name but a few.
Of course, you will also find surfboards (what would a surf shop be without a
board?) but the main driving force behind the store is the clothing, which
features styles for men, women and kids.
One of the things Elisabeth is passionate
about is products that can make a real difference, whether to the people who
wear them as well as the environment – not surprising as people who enjoy the
great outdoors tend to start thinking about how to preserve it. Many of the
products in store contain recycled products, with some boasting up to 100 per
cent post consumer content.
One of her favourite brands is OluKai, a
footwear brand deeply rooted in Hawaii. The name is a combination of the
Hawaiian words ‘olu’ which means ‘comfort’ and ‘kai’ which means ‘ocean’, which
does a pretty good job of describing the design philosophy behind the shoes and
sandals, which are designed for an ocean and island lifestyle.
The sandals offer excellent support,
meaning that you can wear them all day long without beating up your feet,
unlike flat sandals, which may be comfortable initially but tend to start
causing aches and pains in the long run. Of course there are other brands out
there that can also provide ample support, but OluKai does so while maintaining
a surf-friendly look. The sandals are also dead easy to take care of – many of
them can be thrown straight in the washing machine to get them cleaned up and
looking (and even more importantly, smelling) like new.
Blue Wave also stocks a wide range of
accessories, from wallets to bags, and sunglasses to board wax – everything you
need to keep the lifestyle going.
For more information on Blue Wave, email
bluewavecayman@candw.ky or call 949-8166.