Island living is the very definition of the Bahamas. The people are friendly, the weather is perfect, and you can practically find a party most days of the week. That’s why it was so difficult to leave the beautiful, crystalline waters of this Caribbean utopia just a 30-minute flight from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

what to wear

Whether you’re a tourist or a local, the attraction reflects the casual yet beachy vibe of this nation of more than 700 islands. Color is just as important as style. Make it bright and make it light is the main rule! Especially if you’re not used to the heat (being from Houston, it was actually a welcome change!), wearing as little as possible without being disrespectful will help keep you cool and comfortable. There is no shortage of activities to help make your vacation or stay probably some of the most fun you’ve had in a long time. Packing is easy as you can wear your cover right from the beach to the market; just be sure to wear a light undershirt or even a vest over your swim shirt (unless it’s a swim tank that can act as a singlet).

The “fish fry” is a popular local celebration that takes place once a week in various areas of a given island. It may sound innocent, but these community celebrations are actually large happy hour parties held at local bars or outdoor patios. Just ask your hotel or taxi driver for the days and locations of that week’s fish chips. Dressing is party casual, so if you feel like “dressing up,” throw on dressier flat sandals (they’re usually on the beach), a light airy off-the-shoulder top, and a miniskirt. A fabulous maxi will also work well, although if you sweat a lot, you may want to opt for something shorter to beat the sticky heat.

More tips:

• Maxi dresses can easily translate from day to night – just switch up your shoes and add a little more sparkle to make it comfortable.
• I can’t stress this enough: flat sandals, casual sneakers, flats, or even platform wedges are your best bets for comfortable walking around the island.
• Some areas may require you to walk across wooden planks for a while to get to the beach. To make traveling easier, opt for sandals that wrap around your ankle or even waterproof flats.
• Colour, colour, colour! Bright corals, yellows, and blues look great against the rainbow of hues around the island, sun, sand, and sea. Neutral colors are also a great way to look stylish, with just a few bright accessories (like a metallic or brightly colored crossbody bag).
• Complements. Hats are huge here, not only to protect you from the sun, but also to add a little flair to your ensemble. Straw hats are an island favorite among locals and tourists.
• Wear the top of your swimsuit as an underlayer. You never know when an impromptu excursion to the beach might happen, plus it’s a great way to work off sweat without sacrificing clean underwear and bras that don’t dry as well.

Shopping and Designers

• Port Lucaya Market (Freeport) – A great place to shop and eat. After tucking into some conch (pronounced “conk”) fritters, the island’s favorite, stroll through the midsize shops and local stalls where vendors sell souvenirs, pretty dresses and some of the richest collections of strawware. in the Caribbean, greet and chat with you happily. A great place to stay too and right on a marina.
• International Bazaar (Freeport) – Vendors selling goods from more than 25 countries at this downtown market are interspersed between cafes to rest your weary touring bones. (Open 7 days a week, from 9 am to 6 pm)
• Bay Street (Nassau) – All your favorite designers (think Gucci and Fendi), and some you may not have heard of.
• Straw Market (Nassau) – Close to Bay Street, this is THE largest straw products market in the Bahamas and one of the largest in the world. Hats, bags, slippers… take home a bit of island life! (Open 7 days a week, from 7 am to 8 pm)