It’s time to break out the sparklers, watermelon, and patriotic spirit because this week’s Fourth of July celebration marks the 237th anniversary of the good old U.S. of A. Since Independence Day is basically one giant, national birthday extravaganza, you’ve probably got a party to go to, even if it’s just your annual family barbecue. And, as every collegiette knows, looking fabulous is an absolute must for any party. Besides, donning some stars and stripes is the perfect opportunity to work some trendy mismatched prints!
Neighborhood Barbecue
If you’re spending summer at home, your parents may insist you spend some time at a respectable social affair with your family and neighbors before turning you lose to party with the crazy neighborhood kids (or to return inside to watch more reruns of The Nanny, depending on how your summer’s going). To prove to your parents’ friends that you’re blossoming into the mature young woman they never knew you would, you might want to go for something a little more upscale than the same pair of denim shorts you’ve been throwing on every day after work. Keep the holiday in mind, but shy away from anything too literal—stick with the red, white and blue color palette, but ditch the star-spangled crop tops. A nice striped sundress can be summery and patriotic—plus, it’ll look great with your new wedges. Add a pair of white-framed sunglasses, and you’re ready for anything your nosy neighbors throw at you!
Beach/Pool Party
Whether you’re lucky enough to be by the coast or just chilling by the pool with some friends, it’s generally pretty safe to assume that July means swimsuit weather. If the fourth of July rolls around and you find yourself packing a cooler and heading to your nearest body of water, you’ll want to be properly attired. If you already know you’ll be having an aquatic Fourth, there’s still time to drop by Target to check out their mix-and-match pieces to get the right mix of red, white, and blue. Slip on your favorite gladiators and flip-flops, an appropriately patriotic pair of sunnies, and a nice big sun hat to ward off those harmful UV rays, and get ready to enjoy our nation’s birthday in style.
Fireworks Display
Of course, no Fourth of July is complete without some colorful explosives. Whether you’re going downtown to watch the professional displays or just hanging out on your front step setting off fireworks, this quintessential July 4th experience screams for your most spirited attire. Now is the time to wear those American flag Daisy Dukes you wore once to a Kenney Chesney concert, to throw on that USA crop top you bought for a frat party your freshman year, to grab your cowboy boots and not worry about looking like a redneck. If you’re really feeling bold, why not add a stars-and-stripes bandana? Finish the whole look with a pair of Top Gun-style mirrored aviators. Tacky? Maybe. But this is the one day of the year that no one will fault you for it. On the Fourth of July, “tacky” becomes “patriotic,” and dissing patriotism is so not cool.
The fashion world’s been hit pretty hard by some national spirit lately, so finding the perfect star-spangled ensemble shouldn’t be too hard. Searching “flag” on any of your favorite stores’ websites (Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe, for example) will land you tons of results. You still have a few days before the big event, so toss subtlety to the winds and get ready to flaunt your national pride!