USVI-On-Line

16 days! Now I'm really starting to think about what to take, clothes-wise. I have a few questions:

1. During the day I typically wear my bathing suit and a dress-type cover up. My cover ups are usually strapless, but fully cover my body and hit mid-thigh. They are not see through, but made of cotton or terry. Are these appropriate to wear in town for lunch? I regularly wear these cover ups into grocery stores when we're on our way to the lake here in ATL, but I know norms differ.

2. Dinner attire. Are capris and a nice tank okay? I plan on bringing a sundress or two, but we plan to carry on only, so that limits what I can bring. Do you see a wide variety on St. John, clothes-wise?

I pretty much live in shorts and tanks while on Island. I go for casual and relaxed!!

XOXO
Bug

You may find that you are too hot in capris this time of year. I always bring them but never end up wearing them until the last day for the flight home.
The island is very very casual. More so than others in my opinion. I never end up wearing any of the nicer stuff I bring. This year I'm barely bringing anything. If your sundresses are comfortable, bring them. If they aren't, just leave them home and wear shorts. The only exception might be some of the really fine restaurants, but even there you could wear a nice shorts outfit-someone else may want to weigh in on that.

As far as the coverup, you are probably fine but I'm not sure.

I think unless you are going to Caneel or the Westin for fine dining I would stick with shorts or anything cool. It will be warm this time of year even at night.

As for coverups, I'm wondering the same thing. I am traveling with a lady who wears cleavage tops everywhere. I dare to think what she might be packing for this trip. I told her she could not wear her swim suit in town. I might be buying her a Woody's T-shirt.

"Cleavage tops" - I like that. Fortunately, my dresses are fairly modest compared to what the "kids" are wearing these days. Most of mine are along these lines: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2932099/0~2 ... 379763&P=2

Though, obviously (I hope), mine didn't cost $98. I wore these all over St. Martin and the Bahamas - I think I'll be fine.

Glad to know STJ is so casual - that will help my packing dramatically.

For men, are collarless shirts okay (meaning nicer t-shorts) or are polos still de rigeur for dinner?

That cover up will be just fine. I think as long as your bathing suit is covered you'll be fine.

As for guys, my hubby is ALWAYS in shorts (typically cargo type) and various t-shirts. The fanciest he might get is a little tropical shirt or something like that. Equator at Caneel is the only place that I think has a "dress" code. If you are just hitting the regular restaurants and shops, you'll be fine super casual.

The cover up sounds fine.

I live in shorts and tanks when on the island, but I do not do the more upscale restaurants!

CaribeChris

I concur, you will be fine in that coverup. It kind of looks like a sundress anyway.

That's a really cute dress! Im packed and leaving on Saturday. Im gonna go home unpack a few outfits tonight after reading this thread. Must take the advice of the pros!

You're packed and leaving Saturday? Now I am freaking out, we are leaving Saturday too and I have done nothing--and neither has my husband (and we are bringing two kids.) All I have done is bought detangler for the girls and shampoo!

I guess it is time to get moving on it...

What I actually live in during the day is a sarong that I fold in half and tie around my waist like a short shirt and a (for lack of a better term) "wife-beater" type tank. It looks fine over my suit and it works great when you're getting out of the water and your dripping wet. I hate putting on a pair of shorts over a wet suit. They sell them all over STJ and I always pick up a new one on each trip. They are cheap and come in so many great fabrics. I roll up about 4 or 5 in put them in a gal. size zip lock bag. (Squeeze the air out as you close it) and they don't even wrinkle. I do the same with the tanks and it take up almost no room in my carry-on.

2 or 3 pairs of shorts for nite with a few cute tops and I'm packed. Of course I also take at least 3-4 suits for a week. I do like choices.

djmom - I started packing last week. I wear a uniform top and jeans to work so I dont need many "civilian" clothes during the week. I also packed for my son and hubby has started his too. Im an over packer but its just my nature. Be prepared. Are you coming to the beach bar on the 24th?

Cypress, Im going to pick up a couple of those sarongs on STJ, they sound perfect! I wondered about the shorts over the wet bathing suit too. Not comfy.

Ksea-

Good for you for packing. I usually am a lot better about it but I am feeling fat and avoiding it.

I am not sure about the 24th-I have not been on the message board until recently (was on it all the time last summer-) so I don't really feel like we would know/recognize anyone.

That said, the Beach Bar is our #1 hangout so we just might show up! The kids love the place (and their happy face and crossbones logo) and the food is really good in my opinion for a bar.

Are you flying thru Charlotte?

If you see a family with 2 girls that look very much alike (age 6 and 9) it is probably us!

Hey Djmom -

We will be on island too. The only reason I bring capris and even a light sweater this time of year is because I am a bug magnet. I always overpack and am not much of a tank top girl, but I am trying to rethink my strategy this year so I won't as many bags! I would love to do carry-on, but with two kids in tow and all the snorkelgear, it just ain't gonna happen!

We'll be at the Beach Bar too and I plan to meet all my new friends there! So come on along!

Tracy