HEAT RAVE : The hot tropic of conversation this season is the warming trend of isle styles that are simple, loose and neutral.

Pleasure-seekers wanting to escape the winter rains for tropical heat need wardrobes that will help them adapt to the sun, sand and friendly natives. Island getaways require the kind of relaxed clothing designed for unwinding on the beach, sipping drinks festooned with paper umbrellas. When in doubt about what to pack, vacationers should do as the islanders do--find clothes that are cool and comfortable, in fun prints that lift the spirits. Fortunately, spring collections that are perfect for weathering the tropical heat are just arriving in stores. The clothes have simple lines, loose construction and neutral hues that make them ideal for the islands. The shades of blue, white, taupe, beige and other neutrals let tourists blend in with their surroundings instead of standing out like, well, tourists. Sure to put one in the vacation mode are spring’s bold ethnic, floral and tropical prints. Escada has a collection of blue and white tropical print separates, just the thing for distant shores.

The collection includes a tropical-print chiffon chemise ($760) that can tie at the waist to beat the heat, a silk jumpsuit ($1,000), sheer silk palazzos ($600), a short-sleeved, double-breasted jacket in solid navy ($800) and relaxed silk shorts ($420). All pieces mix and match to stretch one’s limited vacation wardrobe.

“Tropical prints are a great vacation look. They lend themselves to casual dressing,” says Michele Vicale, manager of Escada in South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa. “It’s also a theme that plays very well to the lifestyle of Southern California.”

These are not the wild tropical prints of seasons past. They come in two or three subtler colors instead of a riot of Carmen Miranda brights.

“It’s very clean, very understated,” Vicale says. “Marine navy replaces black for spring. It’s neutral ground to work from.”

Loose-fitting clothes in natural fibers, such as walking shorts made of cotton or linen blends, are popular travel companions, says Mary Rubenstein, co-owner of Mi Place in Laguna Niguel and Fullerton. Tanks, shells, lightweight fly-away jackets, lace skirts and flared-bottom pants in natural tones top her list of what to take on vacation.

“All the beiges, creams, khakis--it’s a big year for those colors,” Rubenstein says.

En Route, a group of rayon separates in earth-toned Tahitian prints, is just the thing for island dressing. The collection’s flowy jacket ($280), tank top ($85), palazzos ($95) and other components all mix.

Mix-and-match separates are just the ticket for travelers with small suitcases. Collections that feature coordinates in the same color group but different prints allow vacationers to get maximum mileage from a few pieces.

“We like to mix patterns in the same color story,” says Sylvia Rodriguez, owner of My Girl in Corona del Mar.

One collection of separates by Sugar and Spice comes in a variety of prints that work together thanks to the brown and beige color combination. There’s a vest-style top ($340), a jacket ($520), palazzos ($400), a sheer skirt ($300) and shorts ($280) that are all interchangeable.

Rodriguez encourages her vacation-bound customers to experiment with styles, wearing a skirt unbuttoned to the thigh to show some leg or a sheer blouse for those unwilling to bare their skin entirely.

“Your vacation wardrobe should be different (from) your usual day-to-day wardrobe. You should be freer,” she says.

Instead of the body-hugging, stretchy styles of springs past, this year’s loose-fitting clothes flatter the figure with subtle, body-baring details such as skirts that slit to reveal a thigh or tunics that tie in front to expose the midriff.

“Everything is loose-fitting, untucked, drapey chic. The styles allow for comfort and tastefulness. There’s nothing close to the body. But there is bareness,” says Sandy Magill Duckworth, district manager for Mondi at MainPlace/Santa Ana and Fashion Island Newport Beach. The pieces in Mondi’s La Nature collection, for instance, include a wrap top that exposes the midriff ($170) with a full slitted skirt ($230) in a brown and taupe Indian print.

“The slits are high, but the clothes don’t fit tight,” Magill Duckworth says. “It’s a peekaboo type of thing. There are very long skirts with a slit up the thigh, but no hot pants.”

Many garments, such as the loose-fitting, cocoa-colored vest ($190) and matching trousers ($230), come in synthetic fabrics such as microfiber or viscose that don’t wrinkle, making them ideal for travel.

“You can put that entire outfit in your handbag,” and it will come out ready to be worn, Duckworth says. “You could sleep in it on the airplane on your way to the Bahamas, and look just as stunning when you get off as when you got on.”