Virgin Islanders put considerable stock in their appearance. It is disrespectful, not to mention embarrassing, to show up in professional or religious environments without proper attire or without being properly groomed. Virgin Islanders wear their clothes well pressed and their shoes well shined.

Office attire tends to be conservative; the general trend toward casual office wear has not been accepted here. Church clothing is even more formal; many men wear suits and women don colorful and elaborate hats, with matching dresses and shoes. Casual functions, such as afternoon picnics and outdoor concerts, call for casual clothing: blue jeans and T-shirts, for example. Whenever you leave the house, however, you should look neat and clean. Many Virgin Islanders reserve shorts for the beach or sports field.

Few things offend a Virgin Islander more than seeing someone who is dressed inappropriately. They will let a slightly wrinkled shirt or scuffed shoes slide (but don’t think they don’t notice), but instances of gross fashion miscalculation are not forgiven easily. Bathing suits are not acceptable attire for town, for example. Shorts and a T-shirt are not appropriate for church.