When the early morning J’Ouvert tramp became part of the Virgin Islands Carnival in the 1950s and ‘60s, costumes were a part of the fete. Revelers were supposed to get out of bed and head for the streets to jump up in their night clothes. Years later, revelers kept the tradition; mostly men dressed in bathrobes and curlers.
As years progressed, the costumes evolved; some these days might say devolved. But there are those who take the elements of dress seen in the fete and add their own flair.
More than two dozen J’Ouvert goers kindly posed for the Source in their J’Ouvert creations. Here is a sample of how the stylish turned it out:
Florence Testamark tucked her silver curls under a two-toned pixie wig to top off a white bandage dress.
Shay Deasy said she welcomed J’Ouvert Morning as a chance to wear her coin apron.
Destiny Frett danced to soca music in a blue unitard, matching fishnet stockings and a straw hat.
These two ladies sparkled in lacy top overlays trimmed in crystals
Understated style in a white two-piece swimsuit and an apple green gossamer skirt
And Kieya Daimere came from Chicago to fete in a ripped pink gown and bonnet over white short-shorts. “It’s an honor to be here. We love St. Thomas, This is our second year here,” Daimere said.
