The warm Caribbean air is the ideal backdrop to indulge in one-of-a-kind island shopping. On my own tropical escape, I found myself fully immersed in local handicrafts, designer jewelry and unique clothing found in small boutiques. Using their environment as inspiration, these high-end boutique brands are exclusive to their native island – and, thankfully, online – offering an exotic shopping experience. Here are the top collections to give you a taste of island living:
1b Designs, St. Croix
Ib Designs, based out of St. Croix, is an accessory-lovers paradise with over two dozen lines to choose from. All the pieces are handmade, in sterling silver or 14K gold, with all the island charm you’d expect from a locally made label. My favorite collections are the Om and Fan Coral, which are completely on-trend with nautical themed bracelets and pendants. The anchor bracelet and fan coral earrings will work with everything, from jeans and a tee to an evening maxi dress.
The Pink House, Mustique
When you think beach getaway, you think fab bikini and that’s exactly what you’ll find at The Pink House on the elite island of Mustique. Indulge in luxury basic bikinis and cover-ups, along with some extravagant pieces like a gold Mustique pendant and silk maxi dress. They also have adorable ruffled bikinis for girls, printed trunks for boys and for your guy – everyone can look as fab as you do.
Sea Sage, Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos is home to Sea Sage – a line of exclusive silk scarves that can work as a bikini wrap, hair accessory or accent piece. By focusing on scarves alone, the brand has gained a reputation for high quality and unique designs. The collection’s Sea Fan scarf will be my signature accessory and a reminder of my beach getaway!
Calypso St. Barth
Calypso St. Barth is a well-known brand with its roots firmly in Caribbean style. The brand boasts everything from clothing to accessories and even housewares (bring the beach home!). My current obsession is their line of maxi dresses, which are equal parts bohemian chic and evening glam. Add a straw clutch and you’ll be St. Barth styled wherever you go.
Everett Designs, Dominican Republic
For genuine local gems Dominican Republic’s Everett Designs features designer Larimar and Amber jewelry – Dominican Republic has some of the largest natural resources of these stones. The sea blue Larimar stone is a personal favorite, brighter than turquoise but equally enchanting with silver accents. For a real treasure piece, the Shipwreck Coins collection is made with rare 17th and 18th century silver coins, actually recovered from shipwrecks – you can’t get any more authentic than that!
Let these boutique brands give your style a boost with bold colors, textures and shapes – a piece of paradise for your closet!
I must say, Calypso St. Barth looks high class. I bet that’s really expensive compared to normal formal clothing. ?
These island boutiques have great finds, my only problem is that they’re overpriced. To be honest, most of their items are in other shops too (and cheaper!) unless of course they sell hand-made/hand-woven items that they produce themselves. But most of the time, I really don’t purchase from island boutiques even it’s for helping the locals. Whenever I go on a vacation, my budget is very limited. I’m not saying that I don’t want to help them because of that, but it’s just that I don’t want to purchase overpriced items that I can always buy cheaper.
Scarves make nice souvenirs. It’s also very fun to buy in places like this because you’re bound to have a unique design.
I really wish that most of the island boutiques are like this. Ib Designs look very trendy. It’s not actually too native and if it’s in sterling silver, that would definitely be worth buying. I have acidic skin and brass jewelries just fade on me. It doesn’t even last a day and it’s discolored already. I prefer accessories or real jewelries that are in stainless steel or sterling silver. They last longer than your average brass and alloy ones. Loving those bracelet and rings!
The collections in Mustique looks very nice. I’m a beach bum and I don’t mind buying all kinds of bikini!?
I dislike accessories that have stones/shells in them. They only look good when you’re in a vacation for that tropical vibe. But after that, your money is gone.
Calypso is such a nice brand name. That dress is really nice too but I don’t think I can wear that. It looks a little too eccentric. Although I must say that the dress looks very fancy and it can be worn at some events. If you just want to look Instagrammable on your vacation photos, this can definitely make you look like an island goddess. You guys should definitely check out their clutch bags though, that’s what I call glam! If it wasn’t for the ethnic looking theme, I’d mistake it for a luxury bag.
I agree. I love the clutch bags! So divine! ?
The Larimar collection from Everett is so stunning!! I love blue stones like this. It’s so fancy looking!
Wow, I just saw it as well. Is it this pretty in person too? If yes, I’m buying a pair!
I appreciate that they could make pretty things like this, I just hope that it’s not too expensive. There are designs that look like a child could make them.
Aw, that’s a little mean. But then, that’s your opinion.
Yeah! no! Just looking at it I know it’s cheap. Cheap material labeled as fancy just so the prices go high. I’ll just go with the no brands rather than brand. Same quality minus the cost.