Worn on the 4th of July
An empirical guide for getting dressed on the most patriotic day of the year
I used to have a favorite holiday, and it used to be The Fourth of July. Now that I am an adult with a job, every holiday is my favorite.
In high school we'd sneak into our friends' gated community to swim from house to house across the lake. The attire was simple – swim suite and a cup for sneaking beers from the keg.
Sadly, the 4th started to lose it’s sparkle as I ventured into adulthood and started like, voting and stuff. Patriotism is complicated business and a topic beyond the scope of this newsletter, but I will say I am grateful for the freedom to write this silly little newsletter, and for all of you reading.
So, what are we supposed to do when there's a weird tradition where people expect you to wear a flag? Can’t we just have fun, but not like, storming the capital fun?
This week's format is a bit different because nailing your Fourth of July look involves choosing the right color combos and figuring out WTF you’re actually going to do. Below, you’ll find inspiration for stylishly incorporating red, white, and blue into your outfit, complete with a vibe-map™ for the day ahead.
BBQ bouncing
Color combo 🟥 ⚫ 🩵: Mostly red but mixing density with patterns and materials, black, light blue, with accents of white and gold.
Vibe-map™: It’s muggy and hot out and you have 3-5 daytime activity options because you are very popular and cool. You’ll need to wear something light that barely touches the skin, and comfy shoes for getting around the city / standing all day talking to interesting people.
Sun protection is obvious, but the fan is the real secret weapon to this fit. Friends and strangers will think you are SO clever and ask you to fan their faces (in a flirty way). Hot dogs, gold earrings, are the perfect accessory for this BBQ bouncing look.
Black Straw Hat | $50
14K Pearl Strand Bracelet | $210
Costco Hot Dog | $1.50
Vintage Folding Fan | $25
Pretty, pretty, picnicking
Color combo 🩵 🟨 🔴: Teal, yellow, white, with pops of red, natural browns, and a pop of light blue.
Vibe-map™: You're hosting an outdoor party, either at a park or in your luxurious backyard. Your outfit should signal your love for leisure and gatherings but you don’t need AMERICA to be the theme. Teal is a great nod to blue, and yellow is the primary color that gets no love on this day - let’s change that now.
Mixing stripes with patterns gives off big party energy (see BBSP). You can add pops of red with your shoes or maybe just the sprinkles in your soft serve.
Vintage 60s Daisy Romper – $274
Soft serve w sprinkles – Your local Diary Queen
Vintage Woven Tote – $59
Boardwalkin’ babes
Color combo 🔷 ⚪ 💛: Blue, white, yellow, brown and a little red.
Vibe-map™: Sometimes you just gotta go maximum energy (see shorts) in a carefree way for the holidays. Maybe you have a family that wants to go to the most crowded place and wave flags around – no problem! This is the easy-breezy look of someone who can embrace any scenario.
Mixing camp with class is a delicate art that few can pull off. You’ll have to work around your maximum energy piece by adding classy things like ruffled blouses, braided leather, an antique parasol, and a bag of popcorn you can eat nonchalantly all day.
Verity & Daughters Puff Sleeve Blouse – $179.00
Popcorn – brand doesn’t matter, always be poppin’
Vintage Esprit Sandals – $88
Roller coaster ride – the Giant Dipper or Cyclone
Martini matinee
Color combo 🤍 🟢 🟥: White with pops of red and lime green, notes of black, blue, and silver.
Vibe-map™: Look, BBQs and boardwalks aren’t for everyone. The 4th of July is one of the best days to stay IN the city. Find out if your favorite busy restaurants is open, invite 1-2 friends (or go by yourself), and eat your way through the menu.
The key to this outfit is that it can take you from the brasserie to the club in one simple move. When you’re ready to move to the dance floor, tie the top part of your jumper around your waist, and voila – your bra top will take care of the rest.
Illesteva Sunglasses – $178
Denim Jean Jacket/DKNY Jeans – $150
Dirty Martini – no amateurs
Bitchy in black
Color combo 🖤💙🖤: black, with one tiny Americana motif
Vibe-map™: We all have friends who refuse to wear anything but black (you know who you are), even when it’s 109° outside. Fine! The trick is to artfully incorporate some red or blue in one or two places.
It is, of course, very expensive to look this aloof. If you want to maximize your bitchiness, you have to pay the price. You’ve probably heard that cigarettes are back, and if you live in the South you’ll know that they never left. If you can help it – don’t smoke! Instead, just enjoy the smell of smoke and sulfur from the billion fireworks going off in your neighborhood.
CHRISTIAN DIOR Sunglasses – $275
Capri Menthol Jade – $53
Vintage Gucci Canvas Leather Tote – $69 (starting bid US)
B SIDES vintage lasso – $385
Prada Leather Belt with Golden Studs – $100.00
Beach broskie
Color combo ⚪ 🤎 🟥: Tan, heather grey, yellow, green, red, and a blue accessory that can be recycled.
Vibe-map™: This is the beach version of the boardwalk babe which means you’ll have to be open to having fun in any scenario – even on the beach with a bunch of bros (who are secretly the most fun).
You’ll probably be playing some kind of game – volleyball, soccer, football, paddle ball, ocean chicken, croquet, badminton, checkers, whatever. There will be a little competition energy, which is fun and sexy. There will always be debauchery with brewskis and probably personal fireworks.
Modelos – at least 6, ideally 24
Black cats – be responsible
Bottega Veneta Tote – $225
Gucci Slides - $175
Loner loungin’
Color combo 🩵 🟥 🤎: Light blue, red, brown, and white
Vibe-map™: 'Cause tramps like us, baby, we were born to run – and be alone when we want! The vibe map for this is simple: do whatever the F you want in your own backyard because it’s so swampy hot you can’t even be around another soul.
Spray yourself with a hose, eat your favorite chips, and listen to your favorite Springsteen album (Nebraska, obvi, but Born to Run works too).
Beklina Ribbed Belt Bag – $109
Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen
I hope you feel inspired to do something fun, even if things feel NO FUN right now.😎
XO - Kellyn (a.k.a Best Friends)
Okay you killed the title tho - saving the full post to read later on my laptop (a compliment!)
I’m a martini matinee. Also can you just do all my clothing shopping for me?