Trinidad’s appeal as a shopping mecca lies in the mix of local fare, ranging from jewellery to music; high-end branded goods; and cheap imported items from Venezuela, China, India, Brazil and the United States, among others.

Shopping options are pretty extensive, with bargain shopping in downtown Port of Spain, San Fernando, Chaguanas, Arima, Tunapuna and main streets in other districts. Malls offer merchandise priced for any pocket, with the added convenience of air-conditioning, secure parking, food courts, recreation for children, and in some cases Sunday opening hours (a rarity in the Caribbean).

Consumers can also shop now from the comfort of their homes by calling in to buy items from local as-seen-on-TV shopping programmes. And a growing number of entrepreneurs have set up shop on the internet to sell shoes, clothing, music, lingerie and other items.

 

·      Clothing: casual or formal, petite or plus size, branded or generic, local or foreign – you can be sure to find something tailored to your needs. Leading local designers produce striking creations running the gamut from casual to couture. Many outlets also sell traditional Indian, African and other ethnic wear, and a range of high-quality fabrics

·      Music: soca, calypso and steelpan albums are good buys, widely available, and you will also find local gospel, rock, reggae, R&B, pop, jazz (including pan jazz), alternative and fusion

·      Jewellery: Trinidad’s jewellers create unique pieces from silver, gold, copper, leather, beads and semi-precious stones. Some will take orders for custom-made accessories

·      Craft: handmade leather goods such as sandals, belts, and other accessories (some made from wood and seeds) can be found at shops in the malls as well as from roadside and beach vendors

·      Souvenirs: no trip is complete without a T-shirt featuring local sayings and bawdy humour. Plenty of shops sell these, as well as cups, mugs, key-rings, hand-crafted steelpans, Carnival dolls and other T&T paraphernalia

·      Books and magazines: in addition to international bestsellers, you can find a range of books by local writers, covering natural history, biography, art, fiction, poetry and more at local book shops. There has been a boom in magazine publishing, particularly lifestyle titles

·      Food and beverages: Trinidad is known for its mouth-watering cuisine. Popular buys for those travelling back home include roti skins, pastelles, fruit cakes, biscuits and crackers, pepper sauce, seasonings and curry powders, and even frozen fried chicken. Trinidad’s rums, beers and homemade wines are among the most popular (and weighty) items

 

 

·      B&Tees Native Spirit: Native Spirit is a unique brand of “original art to wear” producing original, locally-made Trini, Caribbean and tropical designs printed and embroidered on T-shirts, polos, ladies’ tops, dresses, bags and headwear. Their products are also available online. Long Circular Mall, St James, 622-7969, www.nativespirittees.com

·      Excellent City Centre: located in downtown Port of Spain, Excellent City Centre provides a shopping experience unrivalled in the capital. Capturing the essence of modern architecture and history in its structure, Excellent City Centre is the largest department store in Trinidad, housing over 60 shops selling clothing, shoes, souvenirs, music, baked goods, communication equipment, accessories, and perfumes among other items. You can taste the flavours of the island at the expansive food court where anything from Indian delicacies to natural juices can be bought. 3 Frederick Street, Port of Spain, 623-6464

·      Ferreira Optical Boutique: Optique gives Trinidadians a new look on life, redefining eyewear while pushing the boundaries of design in frames and sunglasses. Inspiration for this line of designs comes from the natural world of insects and flowers, the sleek urban landscape, or the detail and sophistication of haute couture. The materials used to construct this custom eyewear is also innovative – exotic woods, buffalo horn, gold and silver, dotted with diamonds and sapphires, and a selection of accessories in semi-precious stones to match. Not surprisingly, some of the models have won international acclaim: Gold and Wood, Kata, Judith Lieber, Kazuo Kawasaki, and Stefan Preutz. The Falls at West Mall, Level 3 (western entrance), 632-5492/1387

·      Just CDs: if you are looking for a wide range of local and international music, then this is the place to go. Pop, R&B, jazz, soca, calypso, even classical music can be found here, as well as popular movie DVDs. You can also find accessories for your home entertainment needs such as CD and DVD towers, player cleaners and cases. Long Circular Mall, St James, 622-7516; MovieTowne Mall, Port of Spain, 625-3472

·      Sapodilla Gift Shop: this craft shop carries a unique selection of batiks; ceramics; paintings; T-shirts and jewellery made from local seeds, wood, copper and shells; and other souvenir items. Over 80% of the store’s inventory is completely local. Level 2, Trincity Mall, Trincity, 640-8634 

 
 

Spotlight on Fashion