Welcome to Caribbean® Clothing, Shirts, Swimwear, Women’s Clothing – your number one destination for island-inspired fashion. For over 20 years, we’ve been bringing the laidback lifestyle and vibrant colors of the tropics to closets across America.
Our Story
It all started in 1996 with a small collection of men’s Hawaiian shirts. Our founder, James Sandoval, had a vision of sharing his favorite island prints and breezy fabrics with the world. He rented a tiny shop in Key West, Florida and began designing aloha shirts, camp shirts, and linen pants by hand.
Word spread quickly about James’ eye-catching designs. Tourists visiting Key West would stop in to pick up a shirt as a vacation souvenir. Locals loved having stylish, comfortable clothing that captured the essence of island life.
Soon James expanded into women’s clothing, creating flattering maxi dresses, swimsuits, and coverups inspired by tropical flowers and seashells. Caribbean® was the place to shop for anyone who wanted to evoke a relaxing, carefree attitude.
By 2000, James moved the brand online and opened a warehouse to keep up with rapidly growing demand. He brought on a small team to help with design and manufacturing. While staying true to the laidback roots, Caribbean® continued innovating with on-trend silhouettes, fabrics, and prints each season.
Today, we offer the complete vacation wardrobe for men, women, and kids. Our extensive collection includes dozens of original prints that pay homage to the islands. Yet we’ve also branched out into fashion-forward styles perfect for backyard barbecues, summer festivals, and wearing anytime you want to embrace the Caribbean® state of mind.
Our Inspiration
What exactly is the Caribbean® style? To us, it’s more than a look…it’s a lifestyle. Our designs draw inspiration from the colors, culture, and easygoing pace of island living.
- Vibrant hues – Think citrus pinks, aqua blues, sunflower yellows – the palette of the tropics. We incorporate these joyful colors into our unique prints and solids.
- Breezy fabrics – Natural fibers like linen, cotton, and rayon keep you cool in the heat. Flowy silhouettes billow in the ocean breeze.
- Tropical motifs – Palm trees, hibiscus flowers, seashells and other natural wonders decorate our prints. They transport you to an exotic getaway.
- Nautical accents – Crisp white, navy blue, rope ties, and maritime emblems reflect sailing adventures of island hopping.
- Handcrafted details – Subtle distressing, unique buttons, and hand-drawn embroidery give our clothes artisanal charm.
- Casual comfort – Drawstring waists, relaxed fits, and soft fabrics ensure our styles are laidback and comfortable.
We also take cues from traditional clothing across the islands of the Caribbean and nearby coastal regions. Guayabera shirts, Cuban-collar camp shirts, and Panama hats inspire elegant but relaxed designs.
At Caribbean®, we believe fashion should make you feel good inside and out. Our clothes bring the beauty and joy of the islands to every piece.
How We Create Our Collections
Our dedicated design team works year-round to bring you fresh, inspired collections each season. The process starts nearly a year in advance, as we identify trends, choose color palettes, and craft original prints.
We carefully select base fabrics that balance style, comfort and performance – linen, cotton, rayon and blends are our go-to’s.
Next, we sketch design concepts for clothing and swimwear silhouettes tailored to a relaxed Caribbean fit. We design with versatility in mind – styles that seamlessly transition from the beach to the boardwalk.
Each print and pattern is then hand-drawn by our talented artists. You’ll recognize our signature tropical motifs blended with on-trend geometric, boho, and batik influences.
We then begin sampling and finetuning each piece for optimal fit and comfort. Our production partners in Central America replicate our ethically-made standards.
Finally, our finished collections make their debut in our catalog and online shop. We can’t wait for you to enjoy our latest creations!
Our Commitment to Eco-Friendly & Ethical Production
From day one, Caribbean® has been committed to protecting the fragile natural environments that inspire us. We aim to reduce our environmental footprint across our operations and supply chain.
- Many of our fabrics include organic cotton, recycled polyester, and other sustainably-sourced fibers.
- Our production facilities recycle and treat wastewater, use renewable energy sources, and meet high environmental standards.
- We use recycled paper and soy-based inks for catalogs, hang tags, and packaging.
- You can recycle your Caribbean® garments through our partnership with For Days textile recycling.
We also prioritize social responsibility in our production practices:
- Fair wages, reasonable hours, and workplace safety protections at all partner factories.
- Regular audits and improvement programs to ensure ethical practices.
- Long-term partnerships with vendors to enable investment in communities.
- Employment opportunities for women are promoted in local economies.
As a brand, we respect people and the planet. We’re committed to making progress towards sustainability together with our customers and partners.
Giving Back
Philanthropy is woven into the fabric of Caribbean®. We’re passionate about supporting organizations that protect oceans and empower island communities across the region.
- We contribute 1% of sales each year to ocean conservation nonprofits.
- Our employees volunteer over 1,000 hours annually with local and global outreach groups.
- We partner with artisan cooperatives to showcase authentic island-made crafts and benefit makers.
- We donate clothing to disaster relief programs in the Caribbean after storms and emergencies.
- We sponsor community events that share and celebrate the diversity of Caribbean cultures.
Caribbean® was founded on a deep appreciation for the islands. We’re dedicated to giving back to protect and enrich the communities who inspire us. To learn more about our efforts, visit our Giving Back page.
Join Our Crew
Want to help share the tropical vibes? Caribbean® is actively hiring enthusiastic people to join our crew. We’re looking for passionate team members to help us continue growing.
Perks of working with Caribbean® include:
- Competitive pay
- Generous employee discounts
- Bonus vacation time
- Creative, collaborative environment
- Company volunteer opportunities
- Pet-friendly office
Browse our open positions online to find the right opportunity that matches your skills and interests. We can’t wait for you to be part of our island-style ohana!
Ready to Escape to the Islands?
Life is short – it’s time to embrace the Caribbean® state of mind! Shop our complete collection of island-inspired clothing, swimwear and accessories.
With over 20 years of experience designing tropics-infused fashion, we know how to help you craft the perfect laidback look.
New arrivals are added weekly to our online boutique all year round. Subscribe to emails for inside access to sales, offers, and style tips.
We invite you to join the Caribbean® crew. Shop our latest trends and find your own island in the sun!
