What to Pack for St. John, USVI (Not Much!)
THE ST. JOHN EDIT | M.Fairchild Edit
After 12 trips to St. John, you'd think I would have mastered the art of packing light. Nope. I still manage to overpack every single time.
I bring all these cute little dresses, thinking I'll wear them to dinner or out for cocktails. And every single trip, most of them come home completely untouched.
The truth? St. John is about as laid-back as it gets. And that's one of the things I love most about the island.
I basically live in a bathing suit, a tank top, and denim cutoffs. Throw on a pair of sandals, grab a beach bag, and you're ready for just about anything.
Here's what I actually wear and use on our St. John vacations — and what I should probably stop packing.
Bathing Suits (You'll Live in Them)
If there's one thing worth packing a few extras of, it's bathing suits.
Our days usually start early. We load up the Jeep, grab our beach snacks, and head out to one of our favorite beaches before the parking spots fill up.
Whether we're spending the morning at Francis Bay, snorkeling at Maho, or relaxing at Trunk Bay, I'm almost always in a bathing suit.
And honestly, I usually stay in it for most of the day.
Tank Tops & Denim Cutoffs
This is basically my St. John uniform.
A simple tank top, a pair of denim cutoffs, and a bathing suit underneath. Nothing complicated, nothing fancy, and definitely nothing that requires ironing.
It's perfect for hopping in and out of the Jeep, stopping for lunch in Cruz Bay, or heading back to the villa for an afternoon by the pool.
I always think I'm going to put together these cute vacation outfits, but this is what I end up wearing 90% of the time.
[SHOP MY FAVORITE DENIM SHORTS]
Two Pairs of Sandals. That's It.
I've learned that I really only need two pairs of shoes on St. John.
My Birkenstocks and a pair of Reefs.
Birks are perfect for wandering around Cruz Bay, grabbing lunch, or heading out for a casual dinner. My Reefs are my go-to for the beach.
And that's pretty much it.
Leave the heels at home. Between the hills, uneven walkways, and casual island atmosphere, you won't miss them.
A Great Sun Hat
A good sun hat is an absolute must.
The Caribbean sun is no joke, and when you're spending most of your days outdoors, a hat is one of those things you'll reach for constantly.
I love one that's easy to throw on with a bathing suit and doesn't require much thought.
Sunglasses
Another non-negotiable.
Between the bright sunshine, gorgeous blue water, and all the time spent driving around the island in our Jeep, sunglasses are essential.
I usually bring my favorite everyday pair rather than packing a bunch of options.
Self-Tanner
This might seem funny for a Caribbean vacation, but I always like using a little faux tanner before we leave.
I love arriving with a bit of color without having to spend the first few days trying to get a tan.
Plus, I'm all about protecting my skin while enjoying the sunshine.
[SHOP MY FAVORITE SELF-TANNER]
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
This is one of the most important things to pack for St. John.
The island's beautiful coral reefs and marine life are part of what makes it so special, and protecting them matters.
The U.S. Virgin Islands prohibits sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene, so be sure to choose a compliant mineral-based sunscreen.
And don't forget to reapply throughout the day, especially after swimming or snorkeling.
[SHOP MY FAVORITE REEF-SAFE SUNSCREEN]
What I Always Pack but Rarely Wear
The dresses.
Every. Single. Time.
I envision all these cute island dinners and perfectly styled vacation outfits, and somehow I end up wearing the same denim shorts and tank top I've been wearing all day.
Of course, I still bring a dress or two for a special dinner at somewhere like ZoZo's. But I've learned that St. John isn't the kind of island where you need a different outfit for every night.
And that's exactly why I love it.
My St. John Packing Philosophy
Pack the bathing suits. Bring your favorite sandals. Don't forget the sunscreen.
And maybe leave half those cute dresses at home.
St. John is about beautiful beaches, salty hair, outdoor showers, long lunches, sunset cocktails, and slowing down.
The less time you spend worrying about what to wear, the more time you have to enjoy the island.
Now, if I could just take my own advice and stop overpacking.
THE ST. JOHN EDIT | M.Fairchild Edit
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