What to Wear in Key West: Keys Casual Linen, Coral Water Shoes & Reef Sunscreen

Key West has the most relaxed dress code in the United States, universally known as 'Keys Casual' (or 'Trop Rock Casual'). Not a single restaurant on the island (not even fine dining at Latitudes on Sunset Key or Café Marquesa) requires a jacket or tie: breathable linen shirts, tropical print button-downs, tailored shorts, sundresses and leather sandals take you from afternoon galleries straight to candlelit courtyard dinners.

Five Practical Packing Essentials for Key West

1. Pack Rubber-Soled Water Shoes (Essential for Fort Zachary Taylor & Dry Tortugas): as explained in our beach guide, the shoreline and shallow water entry at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park (as well as the moat beaches at Dry Tortugas) are covered in crushed prehistoric coral rock and shells rather than soft sand. Walking into the water barefoot is uncomfortable, and flip-flops float off your feet in the shallows, so pack a lightweight pair of strapped water shoes or neoprene reef booties.
2. Pack Mineral Reef-Safe Sunscreen (Non-Nano Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide): to protect the fragile living polyps of the Florida Coral Reef from coral bleaching, always pack mineral-based Reef-Safe Sunscreen (containing only non-nano Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide, with zero oxybenzone or octinoxate) together with a UPF 50+ long-sleeved rashguard shirt for snorkelling at Dry Tortugas and Sand Key, where the tropical 24°N sun reflects off the white sandy bottom.

3. Flat Cushioned Sandals or Canvas Trainers (Leave Stiletto Heels at Home): Old Town's historic 19th-century brick pavements have uneven tree roots lifted by giant banyan and mahogany trees, and the piers around the Historic Seaport have wooden deck gaps.
4. A Light Windbreaker or Cardigan (For Winter Sunset Sails & Air-Conditioned Bars): if visiting in December, January or February, while afternoons are a sunny 25°C (77°F), out on the water during a sunset schooner sail (or when a brief winter cold front blows down from the mainland) evening temperatures can dip to a breezy 16°C to 18°C (62°F to 65°F), so pack one light jumper or windbreaker.
5. A Small Waterproof Dry Bag & Non-Drowsy Seasickness Tablets: keep a packet of non-drowsy Meclizine in your bag if your Dry Tortugas ferry day has 15+ knot winds. Check seasonal weather.