Navigating Caribbean Resort, Dining Dress Code, for Men
Updated: May 1, 2024
Most major resort brands have multiple restaurant choices, with dress codes ranging from beachwear to formal attire. When you hear formal attire, you can relax a bit if you picture James Bond outfitted in a dinner jacket, black tie, and pants. In the Caribbean, at most resorts, formal attire means men need closed-toe shoes that are not athletic/ sneakers, long pants, and a shirt with a collar. Below we suggest a few versatile items that can mix to form multiple looks throughout the week for restaurants that will not allow shorts and sandals.
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I do not know how you feel, but when I started vacationing around the Caribbean, I dreamed of lounging in swim trunks and flip-flops for a week. So when my wife told me that a few of the dinner reservations required formal attire, my mind immediately began to conjure up trying to enjoy the humid tropical evening in a dinner jacket and tie. Fortunately, formal attire mainly means that the resort does not want you to walk out of the pool or off the beach and sit down for a luxury dinner crafted by a formally trained Chef.
Some resorts are more strict than others regarding creating and enforcing their dress code. There are also many restaurants on each resort that serve an evening meal that you can attend in casual or relaxed clothing, which means dress shorts and t-shirts are allowed. A few hotels will let you slip into the formal restaurants if your shorts are without cargo pockets and designed for the golf course or your office and as long as your shirt has a collar and you have shoes and not sandals. I usually pack as if the dress code will be strictly enforced and then feel out about the staff and culture as the week goes by. Before we pack, I regularly check Trip Advisor or Facebook group reviews to see what others say about the current culture at any given resort. First-hand intelligence is priceless and saves the hassle of overpacking.
Shoes
I like versatile shoes that I can pair with my pants and shorts. Most resorts require a formal shoe that is not athletic, so we are talking boat shoes and loafers. We are fortunate that many looks and levels of comfort are available for both these footwear styles. I like to be as comfortable as possible, so I go for a boat shoe that is lightweight, cushioned, and breathable. I go sockless or pair with no-show socks for extra comfort. I find the boat shoe looks great with lightweight pants in the summer Caribbean months or jeans in the winter. On the nights that long slacks are not required, the boat shoe can replace my sandals and look OK with shorts. If you would like to purchase a pair here is a link to my favorite brand on Amazon.
When I purchase sandals, I look for thong sandals or flip-flops with a beach vibe. I stay away from plastic and foam uppers. I look for cloth or leather instead in shades of grey, brown, or tan. These types of sandals look fine poolside, at the beach, or out to dinner. When I pack, I try only to bring three pairs of shoes.
I pack appropriate shoes for hiking, paddling, or off-road excursions, a sandal for beach/pool, and a shoe for formal restaurants. If we are not planning any sport-based activities, I will bring just sandals and boat shoes. Easy-peasy and stress-free are the objectives of the game. This link will take you to my favorite brand of sandal , and if you want to check prices on water shoes here is the pair I recommend.
Pants
Most resorts will allow you to wear jeans to dinner to satisfy their dress code as long as you pair them with a nice collared shirt. For resorts, I like jeans that I usually wear with a sports coat or blazer here in the states. Not all blue jeans look right for a formal restaurant. In the Caribbean, I like to switch from jeans to a pair of linen pants during the summer months. The linen material is ultra-lightweight and looks excellent with both sandals and boat shoes or many types of loafers.
Again we want to minimize our packing, so choose one pair of pants you can use in multiple situations. If your excursion requires pants, forget rule 1(diversify and minimize) and pack a second pair. I pack hot weather tropical style hiking pants with multiple pockets and quick dry material. I like to plan and book excursions before we leave. When I book ahead of my trip, I can review the suggestions and requirements on the company’s website and research through Trip Advisor to see what other people wear for their hike or off-road adventure.
Shirts
The formal wear requirement for most resorts states that shirts must have collars. This description allows us to choose either button-down shirts or polo shirts. When we pack for 5-8 days, I usually bring three or four formal shirts for the evenings and rotate them. In the summer, I like lightweight button-down shirts or polos with tech fabrics. I choose solid color shorts to be able to sneak in at least one Hawaiian-style button-down shirt. Hawaiian shirts are just a slight nod to my favorite childhood television PI.
Do you have a favorite brand or style
of shoe, sandal, or shirt? Do you take a sports jacket or blazer to tropical locations? Comment on our social media posts or email us here at sunhatsntravelmaps.com We enjoy chatting with other travelers and comparing tips and tricks.
Are you or do you represent a particular clothing brand that designs garments for resort travel? We would love to try and feature your product and give an honest review.
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