The Fourth of July seems like the only day of the year when everyone is excused to wear the blue, red, and white combination, but we’re here to reassure you that that is not the case.
While the said color mix may be a bit hard to pull off on a regular day, with the right balance of textures and color tones, you won’t need to restrict expressing your patriotism through fashion to an annual event.
Here are five Fourth of July looks that you can wear all throughout the year.
1. Bring Out Main Colors
Ditch the mentality that a patriotic look is confined to the three colors of the flag — play around with neutrals, such as black, that bring out the main colors.
You don’t even have to get all colors into one dress; make use of the entire outfit to bring out a balanced look.
Ruby wears red lipstick with a colorful dress in red, black, and white
Pick out a dress in red, black, and white, and pair it with a bag and shoes in navy blue. Slather on some red lipstick to bring out the shades in your outfit.
Shop Ruby Maxwell’s look. Her blog is unfortunately no longer available online:
Anthropologie Sweetwater Dress, $188 / Sole Society Mix Sun Straw Hat, $29.95 / Nine West Love Fury Platform Heels, $89 / Milly Thompson Cross-Body Bag, $198 / Bobbi Brown Crazy for Color Lip Color, $26 / Gogo Philip Gold Flower Necklace, £20
2. Dominant Red and Blue
Picking up from the pointers of the first look, adding another color into the combination will also work only if the blue and red are quite dominant.
Mercedes styled her multicolored maxi dress with red shoes
Make sure to pick up on those colors by going all out with the complementing elements — if the dress is dominantly blue, go for red shoes rather than American flag shoes. Ground the look with gold or silver accessories.
Shop Mercedes of Be Chic Mag‘s look:
Scoop “Colby” Maxi Dress, $215 / Henri Bendel “The Debutante” Straw Wristlet, $128 / Michael Michael Kors “Sondra” Sandals, $129.63 / French Connection Gold Chronograph Watch, £129 / Ralph Lauren Classic Square Sunglasses, $180 / Gorjana “Lupe” Necklace, $78
3. Red and Blue Colorblocking
Color blocking with red and blue may look awkward if not done properly (we’re leaving out white because it pretty much goes with everything); this means that your best friends for pulling this off are texture and tone.
Coury shows how to colorblock in red and blue
Opt for a contrasting lace or guipure pattern for the skirt and bodice, and choose dulled tones for a more romantic feel.
If you prefer a brighter tone, go all out on the contrast by selecting a pleated skirt with a smooth bodice.
Shop Coury of Fancy Treehouse‘s look:
Delias Strapless Red Lace Pleated Dress, $49.99 (before: $64.90) / Charlotte Olympia Navy Blue Suede “Debbie” Platform Pumps, $795 / Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick, £23 / Julia Cocco Mini Woven Raffia Clutch, $118 / Alexis Bittar Lucite Kinshasa Drop Earrings, $125 / Icz Stonez 18k Gold Over Silver Cubic Zirconia Cocktail Ring, $39
4. American Flag Dress
Some people aren’t fans of subtlety and would rather have the literal flag printed on their clothing — if you’re one of these people, then we encourage you to wear that flag with pride.
Jackie wears a patriotic American flag dress with wedge heels
This look is a good opportunity to play around with fun accessories, such as chunky heels, a beanie, hand chains, and heart-shaped sunnies. Go crazy!
Shop Jackie of Little J Style’s look. Her blog is unfortunately no longer available online:
Alternative Maxi Dress Stars and Stripes Monroe, $102 / Jeffrey Campbell Peasy Platform Sandals, $147.31 / Grafea Hari Backpack in Red, £180 / Carhartt Hat, $58 / Lolita Wildfox Couture, $189 / Gorjana Bali Hand Chain, $75
5. Blue and Red Chambray Dress
If you prefer subdued colors, chambray is a good way to play up blue with red because it works in the same way denim does — it pretty much goes with everything.
Kathryn styled her chambray-and-red-themed dress with brown loafers
Wear a chambray-and-red-themed dress with brown loafers, a slim watch, and a suede bag, and then bring out the reds in your dress by whipping out your favorite red lipstick. Don’t forget your oversized sunnies on your way out.
Shop Kathryn of Kitsune Kun‘s look:
Thomas Sires Sleeveless Pleated Dress, $395 / H&M Loafers, £14.99 / Lauren Ralph Lauren Indian Cove Suede Cross-Body, $198 / Oliver Peoples Daddy B Matte Sunglasses, $325 / Fossil Georgia Three-Hand Leather Watch in Brown, $95 / Bobbi Brown Old Hollywood Lipstick, $28