What’s the perfect style choice for a formal Independence Day celebration? Sticking to timeless elegance is always a winning bet. Needless to say, you can sprinkle a bit of patriotic personality by accessorizing and modernizing a classic silhouette in a way that matches your style.
Choosing a Fourth of July outfit is about comfort as much as it is about celebratory elegance. A couple of important factors will have to be taken into consideration when making up your mind.
Most Important Outfit Selection Considerations
The month of July is known for heat waves affecting many parts of the US. That’s something you’ll need to account for when picking your outfit.
A few of the environmental factors that will have the biggest impact on your choice include:
- Heat: The daily averages range from 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the Maine region to over 90 degrees in Florida. Check the weather forecast and make sure the outfit you’ve picked is going to let you cope well with the heat.
- Humidity: This is an especially big factor in some of the states. Excessive humidity can make you sweaty, especially if you choose an outfit made of synthetic fabric. Don’t forget to also opt for waterproof makeup and a hairstyle that will protect your locks from moisture.
- Rain: Again, there will be some regional specifics. While some parts of the US see no rainfall during the month of July, places like Hawaii have been known to experience torrential rains in the past. A good look at the weather forecast will help you find out if you should be preparing for a downpour.
- Party specifics: Will you be attending an outdoor event? Does it take place on a lawn (meaning you’ll have to walk on grass)? Will you need to sit down on a picnic blanket? You’ll obviously find that impossible to accomplish in a tight pencil skirt! Think about the venue and some of the challenges that could stem from it – like the appearance of bugs once the sun goes down!
Your safest bet to counter all of these environmental factors is layering. During the summer, it involves lightweight pieces like a little denim jacket or a sheer scarf to put over your shoulders. Having a few layers and the ability to remove items off upon necessity will take care of the practical side of things. You’ll now have to think about aesthetics and the originality of your outfit.
The Best Fourth of July Formal Styles
Timeless elegance will get you noticed during an Independence Day celebration. The good thing is that even if you’re attending a more formal event, you can still embrace casual and comfortable elements. That’s especially true for outdoor celebrations. A good mix between elegant and everyday will help you enjoy yourself while feeling appropriately dressed for the type of event.
A few Fourth of July outfit styles that will never go out of fashion include:
- Patriotic elements: Make those reds, whites, and blues the most prominent parts of your outfit. A babydoll gingham red and white dress is a stellar choice for an outdoor party. It will pair really well with an embroidered denim jacket. For a more formal occasion, you can always opt for a classic plaid cocktail dress in red and blue with a white button-down shirt underneath.
- Be careful with the flag: Flag outfits are everywhere – you’ll find pieces from tank tops to stilettos that proudly display the Stars and Stripes. Did you, however, know that such pieces are illegal to wear? Not only that, they can also appear cheap and tacky. Instead of having the literal flag on your clothes, you can choose a subtler kind of representation. A few stars or the stripe design will be immediately recognizable and not as kitschy as the literal flag itself.
- Nautical-inspired outfits: A blue summer dress will make you look different and beautiful while still being properly aligned with the celebratory theme. Nautical outfits bring casual chic and summertime elegance that is super appropriate for a Fourth of July party. A blouse and white pant combo is also a cool choice and you can easily dress these casual outfits up through the selection of the right accessories.
- All white: You’ll look ethereal and incredibly elegant by making an all-white selection. The outfit will look good for the summer and it will make you feel very comfortable if you pick natural fabrics like linen, cotton, and silk.
- Classic inspiration: If you want to escape the traditional patriotic look, do some research and find historic inspiration. Check out the outfits that fashion icons like Audrey Hepburn have worn on Independence Day. A plaid blouse and white short combo is a timeless choice. This outfit can easily be dressed up through the selection of elegant shoes, a nice hat, and some jewelry.
Footwear and Celebratory Swimwear Choices
Some Fourth of July parties will call for swimwear underneath your outfit. The choices are similar to what you’ll pick for any other Independence Day event. Representative of the flag, monochromatic or Americana-inspired – it’s really up to you to make the choice.
Layering will again be important. Choose an easy summer dress that you can take off in an instant to reveal the swimsuit underneath. A nice cover-up will also be required, especially for the evening portion of the event.
Some other must-bring accessories include a sunhat, sunglasses, and your favorite jewelry. To give the outfit an interesting twist, you can pair a classic belt with the swimsuit. This choice will define your waist while also elevating the swimwear immediately.
Finally, we have to talk about shoes.
If you are going to be spending time on grass, forget about the high heels. Ballerina flats or platform sandals will be appropriate picks.
High heels and stilettos will work best for the most formal indoor events.
You may be wondering about a super casual choice like sneakers or flip-flops. Those could be acceptable for a party on a boat but the general consensus is that you should leave those kinds of shoes at home. A pair of comfortable sandals will look much better without compromising your ability to move around.
Classic Fourth of July outfits have become staples for a reason – they always work. If you want to be respectful, elegant, and memorable at the same time, stick to a classic style. Independence Day isn’t the perfect occasion for fashion experiments. There are many ways to be original and creative without pushing the envelope too much.
Author Bio:
Jonah Levine is the Creative Director of NewYorkDress.com. NewYorkDress.com, established in 2008, is the #1 online source for Evening and Prom dresses worldwide. As Creative Director, Jonah works to create the ultimate online and in store luxury shopping experience with a focus on service and personalization.
