packing clothes

[arukluth]

As this is my first trip, would like some insight into the type of clothes to pack. Do I bother with any pants? Does it get chilly in the evening? For dinner is it casual attire or dressy?

Thanks for your help.:)

[Andrea J.]

heck no pants!!!
i am assuming you are female?
if so........
couple of sundresses
a couple of short sets
tank tops
tee shirts
bathing suits
more bathing suits
flip flops
sandals
maybe........a light sweater for places that are air conditioned real cool (marriott casino)

evenings get to maybe the low 80s
by no means chilly........not even cool.

andrea
As this is my first trip, would like some insight into the type of clothes to pack. Do I bother with any pants? Does it get chilly in the evening? For dinner is it casual attire or dressy?

Thanks for your help.:)

[danadog56]

You do not need to pack pants, it really never gets cold enough for them (IMO). Girls can wear dress shorts into any restaurant and men can wear dress shorts with a polo shirt in just about every place. We do not frequent any restaurant on the island that requires formal dress...I'm there to vacation not get dressed up to eat dinner.
Shorts, tshirts polo shirts or cabana joe shirts for men....shorts tshirts blouses for the girls.
We wear our bathing suits all day long...if going in the jeep we put a pair of shorts and tshirt over them ( if were going to another beach or to NP or NB)
sneakers, flipflpos, sandals all work.....
Mascara is all I take and half the time I never use it...Oh, do bring lip gloss with moisturizer...that's a must...

[Andrea J.]

if you are a male...........
docker shorts
golf/polo shirts
tee shirts
bathing suits
sandals
lots of money to buy your main squeeze something very nice (bling) and more money to buy a timeshare so you can
keep going to aruba.


As this is my first trip, would like some insight into the type of clothes to pack. Do I bother with any pants? Does it get chilly in the evening? For dinner is it casual attire or dressy?

Thanks for your help.:)

[arukluth]

Yes, I am female. What about my husband...pants? Dinner clothes...dressy or casual?

thanks.....soon my questions will end....I leave in 15 days:D

[Andrea J.]

if one has long hair..............bring many scrunchies.

EVERYday is a bad hair day on Aruba.

Sun visors are a must.

Andrea

[arukluth]

Love the bling....going to make my husband read this!!!! You just made my day!:cool:

[Andrea J.]

husband.......... shorts (like dockers or bermudas)
the short sleeve hawaiian style shirts are appropriate too

dress is casual for men and women

raggy denim shorts or those offensive men's tank tees are not appropriate for most restaurants

skimpy risquee' women's clothing is not appropriate for most restaurants.

i have been to aruba 30+ times.........hubby has never worn slacks to dinner..............i have never worn anything fancier than a culotte set.

** disclosure I have not eaten at Mathilde or LeDOme where one must dress up a little.

andrea


Yes, I am female. What about my husband...pants? Dinner clothes...dressy or casual?

thanks.....soon my questions will end....I leave in 15 days:D

[danadog56]

Casual dress clothes are always good...nothing formal...

Andrea, like your comment about and buy a timeshare to keep going back !!! And, I have long hair...it is an awful mess from the moment I step off the plane till I get back on the plane !

[Andrea J.]

panty hose are not allowed on aruba.
it is in one of those NATO treaty things that women cannot wear hose on vacation on island. ;)

andrea

husband.......... shorts (like dockers or bermudas)
the short sleeve hawaiian style shirts are appropriate too

dress is casual for men and women

raggy denim shorts or those offensive men's tank tees are not appropriate for most restaurants

skimpy risquee' women's clothing is not appropriate for most restaurants.

i have been to aruba 30+ times.........hubby has never worn slacks to dinner..............i have never worn anything fancier than a culotte set.

** disclosure I have not eaten at Mathilde or LeDOme where one must dress up a little.

andrea

[danadog56]

i have been to aruba 30+ times.........hubby has never worn slacks to dinner..............i have never worn anything fancier than a culotte set.

** disclosure I have not eaten at Mathilde or LeDOme where one must dress up a little.

andrea

Andrea, I was going to harass you about the culotte thing...then I realized that since I knew exactly what you were talking about I could not say anything....
I also have never been to Mathilde's, but have been to LeDome several times for Sunday Brunch and have worn a tee-shirt and shorts and have never been approached about my attire...

[danadog56]

panty hose are not allowed on aruba.
it is in one of those NATO treaty things that women cannot wear hose on vacation on island. ;)

andrea

Hose, what are hose ???? :confused::confused::confused:Wore them in my younger years, then I discovered pants ......what a revelation !!! I figure my husband sees my legs at home, do I don't need to flash them out in public....I do wear capris though, just to show a little leg...LOL:D

[arukluth]

Well my suitcase just got lighter! No hose, no pants, and no pj's. Leaves lots of room for the bling.

[Andrea J.]

PJs i forgot to mention PJs.
for women...........a high neck flannel nightgown LLBean
for men.......... flannel long sleeve and long pants (cowboy print or spiderman)
just funnin ya
a lightweight cotton nighty is perfect


if you think one or 2 bathing suits are sufficient, double that number.

toiletries........... sunblock varying spf 30, 15, 8. and the usual other toiletries that one would bring.

Beach towel.............the surf club and all of the other resorts supply beach towels.

this is so much more informative than the debate isn't it?
andrea

Well my suitcase just got lighter! No hose, no pants, and no pj's. Leaves lots of room for the bling.

[arukluth]

Much funner than the debate. The word of the evening...fundamental.

I will have to go bathing suit shopping I was only going to bring 2. Think I can lose 15 pounds in 15 days? Is there any good bathing suit shops there? Unless I lose the 15 pounds I guess I will the thong behind also. ;)

[cpjones]

Really, only bring half of what you think you'll need! No long pants and nothing fancy! OK... so an extra coupla swim suits and flip flops!

[Andrea J.]

if you like to read on the beach.........
instead of bringing a book, bring an audiobook on CD or MP3 or even cassettes
and listen with an ipod or a cd or cassette walkman

sherry from visitaruba got me hooked many years ago
on audiobooks

paul and i have not read a book in years.............but we have listened!

listening to a book while on the beach is so much more enjoyable than reading. your eyes are able to wander
if you are listening, you will NOT miss any of the sites.

try it you may get hooked too

andrea

[arukluth]

Audio books that is an awesome idea. It has been years since I have listened to them. Do local library's have them for ipods? Last time I checked one out they were on cassette tape. At least it wasn't an 8-track.

[Arubalisa]

if you think one or 2 bathing suits are sufficient, double that number.
I always need at least three.
One I am wearing, one which is dry and one which is damp.
Seems because of the humidity even in the room with air conditioning they take longer to dry.
Put it outside to dry? Watch it blow away in the wind :eek:...

[hstvns]

Or, you leave it outside to dry and it rains during the night!:(

[EricaLovesAruba!]

I am so glad I bought 4 suits...I was really thinking only 2. WHEW! thanks for the tip guys.

[Jen C]

Thanks for all the helpful hints here. I had 4 pairs of dress pants packed for my husband for dinner...but it seems as if we will be safe with just khaki shorts...we do have reservations at Passions (but since it's on the beach I'm guessing shorts will fly)..the only other places we have reservations are Texas de Brazil & Madame J's....from what I have seen it seems like shorts are OK for him there as well. If anyone knows differently please let me know. We leave on Sunday YAYYY!!

[Andrea J.]

khakis khakis khakis
pants..........burn 'em.
;)

safe and fun travels!



Thanks for all the helpful hints here. I had 4 pairs of dress pants packed for my husband for dinner...but it seems as if we will be safe with just khaki shorts...we do have reservations at Passions (but since it's on the beach I'm guessing shorts will fly)..the only other places we have reservations are Texas de Brazil & Madame J's....from what I have seen it seems like shorts are OK for him there as well. If anyone knows differently please let me know. We leave on Sunday YAYYY!!

[cpjones]

Dump the long pants.... DH will love you for it! Most men have an allergy to long pants in Aruba-I know I do!!! Also.... pack 1/2 of what you think you'll need! Most anyone that is a repeat visitor to the island will tell you that! Enjoy the trip.... we leave Wed! YAY!

[AndyM]

Hello, my name is Andy and I am an overdresser.

When my wife and I go to a nice restaurant, I prefer slacks. Nothing fancy, tropical weight casual slacks. I usually wear a Hawaiian type shirt with them or sometimes a polo shirt. I don't feel comfortable in shorts at a place like Chalet Suisse, Pago Pago, etc. type restaurants in shorts.

Looking around, I realize I'm in the minority but I do what feels right for me. I don't feel out of place because there are always other that dress as I do. I don't do it because it's required or more appropriate, just because I feel better.

[Andrea J.]

hahahahaha
ok andy we understand!
Hello, my name is Andy and I am an overdresser.

When my wife and I go to a nice restaurant, I prefer slacks. Nothing fancy, tropical weight casual slacks. I usually wear a Hawaiian type shirt with them or sometimes a polo shirt. I don't feel comfortable in shorts at a place like Chalet Suisse, Pago Pago, etc. type restaurants in shorts.

Looking around, I realize I'm in the minority but I do what feels right for me. I don't feel out of place because there are always other that dress as I do. I don't do it because it's required or more appropriate, just because I feel better.

[Arubalisa]

Our past trip, imo, people were dressed very sloppily. On men cargo pants and t-shirts, some including baseball caps as well as women wearing the same type of shorts and shirt I would wear to the food store.

Your choices are dress down and go with the flow and blend in or be your own person and dress how you feel is appropriate.

[Andrea J.]

why do men wear ball caps in restaurants??

[AndyM]

Our past trip, imo, people were dressed very sloppily. On men cargo pants and t-shirts, some including baseball caps as well as women wearing the same type of shorts and shirt I would wear to the food store.

Your choices are dress down and go with the flow and blend in or be your own person and dress how you feel is appropriate.



why do men wear ball caps in restaurants??


I've noticed this same things. I am bothered by it as you are. I will continue to wear the clothing that makes me comfortable in my surroundings.

[retlcd]

I am confused a bit here, I have been reading that many restaurants, especially those in the AIs require slacks for men. We are going to the Occidental and this is what I have been reading, is it not true?

[Arubalisa]

Yes, the Occidental requires men wear long pants at their ala carte restaurants, as does the Riu.

The Divi and Tamarijn All Inclusive Resorts do not require men to wear long pants in their ala carte restaurants. They do also ask though for no tank tops or t-shirts, though it is not enforced.

I cannot speak for others, but in my post, I was specifically referring to non all inclusive resorts.

[a1patti]

The first time that I went to Aruba for a week, I packed enough clothes for a month.:doh: Now we go to Aruba for three weeks, and I do not bring enough clothes to take up a whole drawer!!:D

[AndyM]

Another factor to consider is that most timeshares have washers and dryers so you can pack light and do a quick load if necessary.