What to wear? What to wear?

stampede chuck · Post by **stampede chuck** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 8:40 pm

2 weeks from today we'll be arriving in St John for the first time! Just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone here for all the info and tips (most of them picked up while lurking)!

There may be more questions over the next couple of weeks, but for now, we were just wondering about what we should wear to dinner at the restaurants we've picked out. Carlos at Morgan's Mango sent this comment: "The restaurant is casual, the island is casual, shorts and t-shirts are fine."

Does the same apply to Windy Level, The Lime Inn, ZoZo's, Asolare and Chateau Bordeaux, or are any of them not quite so casual?

Your thoughts and comments are very welcome!! By the way, after watching the snow fall all day (first one of the new year), the anticipation is killing me!!

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 8:55 pm

I would say the most dressed-up you should get is a nicer pair of shorts and a tropical shirt.

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:07 pm

Most restaurants are very casual. Zozo's and Asolare area still casual but I would say that I bit dressier casual, while not required, is better.

By dressy casual, I mean shorts and a shirt with a collar.

Don't pack too much, you will find that you don't need it.

traveler22 · Post by **traveler22** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:12 pm

Stampede Chuck-
For dinners I usually take one pair of blue jeans ( I wear these down during winter) and a pair khakis,2 short sleeve button down shirts and 2 nice dressy cotton shirt , a pair of nice shorts (docker type). This allows me to mix and match and cuts down on the luggage. The rest is only underrwear, 2 pr board shorts,a couple t-shirts (1 tank top) flip- flops. If your renting a villa, they always have washing machines,I still always have too much believe it or not.
My wife brings a couple nice sun dresses for dinner.
bathing suits,2 pr shorts, a cover-up and some nicer sleeveless shirts.
I usually lay out what I want to take and then deduct from that. I think if you can't fit your clothes in a
medium size roll away ( large if you have snorkel gear) suit case, you have too much.
St. John is very laid back and unless you are going to the few posh restaurants you'll be fine in cool, comfortable clothes ( this help with sun burn too).
Maybe We'll see around the island, T-minus 13
Scott

Ksea · Post by **Ksea** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:41 am

I agree with all of the above. Do lay out on your bed what you would like to wear...then pare it down to what you can fit in a suitcase that is managable.
4 outfits, 2 bathing suits, 1 shoes, undies, beach cover up and pjs. Do laundry mid week. Bring a storage bag (space bag is great) for dirty clothes on the way back.

maydreamer · Post by **maydreamer** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:24 am

Very good tips! I always overpack...this trip I'm going to try to pack light and casual...shorts, flip flops,tank tops, bathing suits...what I'm trying to figure out is whether or not to do a carry-on or check a bag...with the restrictions at the airports, especially Boston I don't know...anybody fly out of Boston lately to STT?

Ksea · Post by **Ksea** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:46 am

If you use as many liquids as we do, either ship a box down ahead of time to Connections or your villa owner or Christie's...or just buy all that stuff when you get there on STT or at Chelsea's on STJ. Hope that helps!

UF Prof · Post by **UF Prof** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:57 am

Shorts and tee are good most places. I would recommend a collared shirt, e.g. Tommy Bahama or something similar and either long pants or a nice shorts, for places like Chateau Bordeaux for dinner and maybe Ms Lilly's for brunch. The advice to take only half (or less) than what you initially intended is right on. You will be surprised how little you actually need.

Enjoy!

maydreamer · Post by **maydreamer** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:07 pm

Thanks Ksea re: shipping stuff ahead...what a great idea! I will do that...Now I can relax and enjoy the airport check-in! haha!

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:22 pm

UF Prof wrote:...and maybe Ms Lilly's for brunch.

You definitely don't need to "dress up" for brunch at Miss Lucy's. Regular shorts & tank top will be fine.

StJohnRuth · Post by **StJohnRuth** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:22 pm

[quote="stampede chuck"] Carlos at Morgan's Mango sent this comment: "The restaurant is casual, the island is casual, shorts and t-shirts are fine."
quote]

"The restaurant is casual, the island is casual, shorts and t-shirts are fine."

"The restaurant is casual, the island is casual, shorts and t-shirts are fine."

"The restaurant is casual, the island is casual, shorts and t-shirts are fine."

If you don't believe Carlos, I don't know why you would believe me, but PEOPLE PLEASE!

"The restaurant is casual, the island is casual, shorts and t-shirts are fine."

If you want to dress fancier, no one is going to throw you out of a place or laugh at you. Some people LIKE to dress up. They LIKE to get fancy outfits all picked out for their St. John trips. Go figure.

If you are one of those people, no one will laugh at you to your face or anything. If you look great, great! Knock yourself out.

If you show up at a restaurant on St. John (other than Caneel Bay) and notice fancier dressers than you:
1) Get Over It. No one cares.
2) Look at their shoes. They're probably killing them.
(If the shoes you are thinking of packing are going to hurt after twenty feet, leave them home. Put them on. Try them on. Do not try out new footwear on vacation on St. John. Wear your comfy shoes.)

If you want to dress up that's fine. But if that's not your thing, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT!
Go and do your thing and don't worry about everyone else's clothing.

"The restaurant is casual, the island is casual, shorts and t-shirts are fine."

Honestly, please dress for comfort.
-Ruth

stampede chuck · Post by **stampede chuck** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:00 am

Thanks for all the opinions!

StJohnRuth - Sorry. I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers! When I asked Carlos the question, I was just asking about Morgan's Mango. THEN I thought I'd post here to see about the other restaurants (especially Chateau Bordeaux, Zozo's and Asolare). I laughed when I read your reply, so I hope it was all meant in fun.

I love that I can come here and find out tons of things about St John. And I'm really looking forward to seeing all of these things firsthand. As I said before, the anticipation is killing me!!

Collin

StJohnRuth · Post by **StJohnRuth** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:53 am

Stampede,
Oh yes, I meant it in fun! I see so many people struggling with huge piles of luggage every day and I can't help thinking "What the heck is all that stuff for?!"
It's hard to know what a place is like if you've never been there. I love the fact that St. John is a casual place.
-Ruth

stampede chuck · Post by **stampede chuck** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:13 am

StJohnRuth wrote:I love the fact that St. John is a casual place.
-Ruth

... and so will we!!! Thanks a lot!

JT · Post by JT » Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:22 am

This post reminds me of a pretty funny memory. We were sitting at the bar at Island Blues one night when in walked a just married couple, she in full white gown and he in tux and tails. The bartender,Kenny, quite loudly admonished them with, "Whoa!, Whoa! Whoa! We do have a dress code here, you know!"

My own take as to island attire on STJ is the dressier you are, the more you look like you just got off a cruise ship. Not saying it's right, or wrong, but I think with the possible exception of Caneel you are actually treated friendlier by service people the more dressed down you are. And leave the tiarras at home.

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