Collection: Tops & Cardis

How to Style Your Island Top

With skorts for a beach day: A sleeveless island top
paired with our cotton skorts is one
of the most practical warm-weather outfits you can pack — comfortable,
quick-drying, and pulled-together. Add a
sarong tied at the hip for extra
coverage at the beach.

With beach pants for resort dining: Pair a short or
long sleeve top with our linen or cotton
beach pants for a relaxed resort dinner look. A loose top tucked
lightly into wide-leg pants works from a casual beach bar to an
open-air restaurant.

Cardigan over a dress: Layer a lightweight cotton
cardigan over one of our
island beach dresses or
beach tunics for cooler evenings on a cruise deck or in
air-conditioned spaces. The cardigan doubles as a cover up by the pool
during the day.

Long sleeve for sun protection: A long sleeve cotton
top is one of the most underrated pieces for tropical travel. More
breathable than it looks and far more comfortable than reapplying
sunscreen all day. Ideal for long shore excursions, open-air boat trips,
and beach days in strong sun. Pair with our
skorts or
beach pants for a full sun-smart outfit.

Complete the look: Finish any island top outfit with
a printed cotton sarong and one
of our woven beach bags.
Everything in the West Indies Wear range is designed to mix, match and
pack flat together.

Cotton Island Tops — Built for Warm Weather

Stretch cotton: Soft, flexible and forgiving — stretch cotton tops move with you throughout the day. Ideal for active travel, shore excursions, and anywhere you need ease of movement without sacrificing breathability. The same stretch cotton runs through our beach dresses, tunics and skorts so your whole outfit works together.

Non-stretch cotton: A clean, relaxed drape with a slightly more structured look. Naturally breathable and printed in our signature Caribbean-inspired patterns. Non-stretch cotton sits beautifully untucked over our beach pants or tied at the waist over a sarong wrap.

Why no synthetics: Polyester and synthetic blends trap heat and moisture against the skin — exactly what you don't want in tropical humidity. Every West Indies Wear top is 100% natural cotton, no exceptions. The same standard applies across our entire range from dresses to accessories.

Care: All our cotton tops and cardigans are machine washable on a gentle cycle. Hang to dry for best results. Our prints are designed to hold colour wash after wash — no special treatment needed.

What is the difference between the tops and the cardigans?

Our island tops are standalone pieces — sleeveless, short sleeve and long sleeve styles worn as your main top. Our cardigans are lightweight cotton cover ups designed to layer over tops, dresses or swimwear. They're ideal for air-conditioned restaurants, cruise ship dining rooms, or cooler evenings on deck. Browse both styles above or pair a cardigan with one of our island beach dresses for a complete layered look.

Can I wear a cardigan as a swimsuit cover up?

Yes — our lightweight cotton cardigans work beautifully as a relaxed
cover up over swimwear. For more coverage at the beach or pool, pair with one of our cotton sarongs tied at the hip or worn as a wrap skirt.

Do any of the tops have pockets?

Yes, some styles include pockets. Use the Pockets filter in the menu above to see all pocket styles across this collection. You'll also find pockets across our skorts and beach pants if you want pockets throughout your whole outfit.

What sleeve options are available?

We offer sleeveless, short sleeve and long sleeve styles. Long sleeve
tops are popular for sun protection on beach days and shore excursions — a breathable cotton long sleeve is far more comfortable in strong sun than it sounds. Use the By Style filter above to browse by sleeve length.

What fabrics are the tops made from?

Our island tops and cardigans are made from stretch and non-stretch cotton — no synthetics, no blends. Stretch cotton styles offer flexibility and movement. Non-stretch cotton has a cleaner, more relaxed drape. Both are breathable and designed for warm, humid climates. The same fabrics run through our beach dress and tunic collections.

How do I build an outfit around an island top?

Our tops are designed to mix and match across the full West Indies Wear range. Pair a sleeveless top with our skorts or beach pants for a relaxed resort outfit, or layer a cardigan over one of our beach dresses for cooler evenings. Add a cotton sarong and a woven beach bag for a complete island look.