On the eve of the Island biggest holiday weekend Cup Match local retailers are busier than ever, however, the colours lining the pitch at the two-day cricket extravaganza will not be limited to blue&blue or red&blue this year.

According to Iresah Philpott, manager at VIBE, locals have been moving away from their team colours and are buying clothes in bright colours like orange, green or purple, and metallics like silver and gold.

"This year I think it is going to be a little more conservative than usual. It's more dresses and its longer dresses, everything seems like its hitting the ankles rather than hitting the calf," she said. Ms Philpott explained that customers are buying a lot of dresses with 70s-style prints, florals and paisley as well as straight-legged and high-waisted jeans for the long weekend.

The important thing for locals, when picking the perfect cupmatch outfit, is to try to look different from others, Ms Philpott said: "Everyone is trying to look different. They are accessorising differently, not really matching, but coordinating, meaning it goes, but not exactly."

At 27th Century Boutique owner Sharon Bartram has noticed that capris are growing in popularity for men. From plaid, to plain or bright- coloured, men are wearing capris and pairing them with matching T-shirts and sandals.

Female customers are generally looking for sundresses and Bermuda shorts in "muted colours" such as white, chocolate brown and beige, she said.

27th Century Boutique has been supplying their clientele with clothes for the past 32 years, Ms Bartram said, adding: "We do personal shopping, so we know our customers, so I will try and buy what I think our customers would like."

New Life Fashions on Court Street have seen "a little bit of everything" flying off the shelves, admitted owner Tito Smith. Males this year are going for "a more clean-dressy look" and have been buying a lot of capri pants, urban wear, plaid shorts and T-shirts. Just like in many stores around the Island, he also said "everybody is trying to be unique, different, trying to get something different for themselves".

Buying the right outfit is not the only thing that locals need be concerned about, they also have to find the right accessories to match. According to Sparkle owner Gina Brown, when the store opened up they filled a "void" in the market, specialising in costume jewellery and accessories, handbags, scarves, shades and the like.

Ms Brown has seen a trend toward wooden accessories this Cup Match season and admitted that while last year people were looking for accessories in their favourite team colours, red and light blue, this year has been different.

This year it is all about the metallic colours, such as bronze and distressed silver and colours like pink and turquoise have also been popular. Customers are stacking their bracelets and wearing arm cuffs and purchasing pouches that cross the body and straw hand bags for the holiday.

All-in-all many locals are opting to wear dangle or chandelier earrings, she added.