DEFINING & STYLING ‘ISLAND CHIC’
Flowy maxis in bright colors and prints are hallmarks of Island Chic, Island Elegant or Tropic Chic.
There’s nothing like attending an island-themed event when you live on an island. It’s where you’ll hear terms like Island Chic, Island Elegant and a newer one, Tropic Chic as official dress codes for social events.
This weekend, Cane Bay Films, LLC, on St. Croix is hosting a screening and dinner for its latest film, Sugar Pathways, and the attire is Island Chic.
According to ChatGPT, chic is defined as “stylish in a simple, effortless, and confident way.”
The AI chatbox further explains that when it comes to chic dressing, “it’s not about wearing expensive clothes or following trends—it’s more about having a natural sense of style that looks put-together without trying too hard. Chic can be elegant, cool or even a bit bold, but it always feels authentic and tasteful.”
Ok, ChatGPT, we like that.
One St. Croix boutique owner describes island chic as “vibrant, tropical printed dresses or tops and slacks that are easy to wear and perfect for warm-weather outings.”
For this style, think flowy, flirty, feminine dresses with bold tropical prints, such as palm leaves and florals. Vibrant solid colors are also appropriate. For the ladies who prefer dresses that are more fitted to their bodies, this works well for Island Chic, too. For all my minimalist girls, yes, you can achieve Island Chic in neutral or earthy tones.
A neutral, knee-length dress with a bold, tropical print achieves the Island Chic look.
As for men, island chic pieces could be “printed linen button-down shirts and slacks,” according to the St. Croix boutique owner.
Local shops on St. Croix where Island Chic, Island Elegant or Tropic Chic looks can be found are Sweet Magnolia Boutique, Trends Boutique, My Girlfriend’s Closet, the boutique at Buccaneer Resort, La Femme Boutique, Jane’s Bridal, from the gecko boutique, and various shops at The Frederiksted Mall.
We also found some inspiration from Amazon that will be sure to have you looking and feeling Island Chic, Island Elegant and Tropic Chic!
