Everyone knows Venice is not your typical island... with its canals, gondolas & magnificent architecture. But what can be said about its fashion sense? That depends. Are you talking about the typical, everyday reality of it? Or the fashion fantasy that permeates the city?

Walk through the labyrinth of streets that make-up Venice & look at the people. You can't call it a style mecca by the clothes you see go by. But first, separate the tourists from the Venetians. It's not difficult. Tourists are wearing a hodge-podge of clothing (some very inappropriate to Venetian standards, like shorts, no matter what the weather).

The Venetians are the ones without the backpacks & sneakers. Generally, they're wearing very classic, finely tailored suits. Well-made Italian leather shoes. And women in high heels no less, on those ancient stone streets. Handbags or briefcases in fine leather are carried. The colors are dark. It's a subdued elegance for both men and women.

But there's a flip-side to this fashion scene. Stroll by storefronts to see a different vision. What a contrast! The windows at the Laura Biagiotti boutique www.laurabiagiotti.com will stop you in your tracks. The colors are vivid, almost blinding by Venice standards. Look at the ultra modern clothes. Cutting-edge designs. As far from typical Venetian street- style as it comes.

Move along to see hyper-fashion. Some of the most unusual clothing boutiques have the most bizarre mannequins modeling their clothes. Outside one shop we saw smoking jackets for the man who has (almost) everything. Presented in decadent fabrics & colors on strange figures. And check out the shoes!

Oftentimes, Venetians totally ignore reality. There's an ultra chic art gallery on St.Marks Square that recently featured a man's suit, hat & shoes completely sculpted in wood. That's fashion to contemplate, if nothing else.

But back to reality for a moment. After many days of shopping the shops (and sidewalks) we came up with our vote for the best fashion to bring home and the shop that has it. 'Colorcasa Rivestimenti' is on a quiet corner of the Campo San Polo (San Polo Square, telephone 041-523-6071).

The cashmere in the window of this small shop will lure you right in. Shelves are full of scarves, blankets & shawls neatly folded on top of one another. The patterns & colors are rich & varied. The Italian workmanship is divine. The Signora that waited on us was very pleasant & helpful. But the best part was the feel of the cashmere itself...heaven!

We came, we saw and we bought large Brochier fringed shawls with paisley patterns (the average price for a good-size shawl here is $500 USD). Then we moved on to check out the outrageous stilettos in the next window. A little more fashion fantasy before we headed home, our carefully wrapped shawls in tow.