A trip to the Caribbean islands requires very little thought. Nassau and Paradise Island are the main destinations for most travelers and boast steamy, hot temperatures that demand easy, breezy and relatively simple attire. Most days will be spent near the ocean or on the beach with very hot temperatures and direct sun. The heat doesn’t necessarily taper off once evening hits, so what you wear at night isn’t much different than during the day. It’s only slightly dressier. Because the region attracts a wide variety of tourists from multiple countries, fashion is a little “anything goes.” You can easily get away with being in a simple cotton dress or shorts with a t-shirt at any of the evening locations. Or, you can choose a more dressed up look. If you are going down island, either by small aircraft or yacht, the rules become even more lax. A simple cotton dress, flip flops, or shorts are all you need to be stylish and comfortable.
For daytime, keep things extremely simple because it is going to be very hot. Look to very light, breezy fabrics like cotton, linen, and seersucker. In Nassau and Paradise Islands, which are highly populated, aim to be polished and put together by adding great flat sandals and jewelry to simple, basic, and lightweight outfits. A great bikini and cover-up will be your staple, whether you’re yachting or on the shore. If you want to add a coverup, choose a long skirt or a pretty beachwear dress. Rubber flip flops for daytime are ideal as they can get wet or sandy while you enjoy the beach and water. Men can wear sport or khaki shorts of all styles with flip flops or sandals and feel comfortable in most places.
For evening, nighttime attire gets dressier, but follows the same climate-appropriate rules. Keep what you wear light-weight and easy, using accessories and great shoes to add polish. Again, because this is a multinational tourist destination, truly anything goes for evening attire. It’s common to see women in pretty, sexy, but easy dresses and heels at the restaurants, casinos, and clubs. For men, simple cotton trousers and short sleeve dress shirts with sandals or shoes are acceptable. Button-ups in cool fabrics are a common sight on the main islands. Evening wear becomes highly relaxed as you travel down the islands. Shorts and t-shirts for men and cotton dresses with flip flops or strappy sandals or shorts for women are all acceptable.
Where to shop: Nassau is home to several high-end boutiques. The shops are accessible to most of the hotels, but selection is limited to a handful of designers. Locals say that the area is ideal for shopping gems and jewelry, but be sure to check with concierges before heading out. Paradise Island, home to the monstrous Atlantis hotel, includes a strip of boutiques and shops carrying upscale beach attire from bikinis to menswear to strappy sandals. The Atlantis hotel also boasts several premium designer shops and stores including Gucci, Cartier, and others. Buyer beware! Prices can be relatively high at smaller stores for items you can most likely find online or at home for less.
P.S. do not forget your favorite shades and plenty of SPF with zinc oxide.
