Fashion

13 Outfit Ideas Already in Your Closet for July 4, Courtesy of Instagram

July 4: It's the most difficult holiday to dress for. So many blogs and lady mags suggest elaborate outfits, but admit it: donning a red maxi dress in 95 degree weather sounds horrible. Here, styling tips pulled off by actual members of humanity, none of which will make you look like a walking flagpole.

by Michelle King

Is it just me, or is figuring out what to wear on July 4 deeply stressful?

July 4: It's the most difficult holiday to dress for. So many blogs and lady mags suggest elaborate outfits, but admit it: donning a red maxi dress in 95 degree weather sounds horrible. Here, styling tips pulled off by actual members of humanity, none of which will make you look like a walking flagpole.

Tom Pennington/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images

Wear A Skirt That Won't Stick To Your Legs

Listen, I love a good maxi skirt, but on a rooftop in the veritable tropics, the last thing I want is a piece of cloth sticking to my sweaty legs. Go for a full skirt in a breathable material, like chambray.

Pop of Neon

Without the backwards neon baseball hat, this is a pretty basic outfit, but that zap of color makes it Instagram-ready. via Instagram

Get Some Woodstock Inspiration

Channel the dreamy days of Woodstock with a '60s-inspired dress or a camo layer. It's just as patriotic as donning an American flag graphic tee, but far more original. via Instagram

Throw A Bandana On It

Usually, only Hell's Angels can pull off the bandana, but something about the Fourth suddenly makes them acceptable. Tie a red, white, or blue bandana around your head for a spirited look that takes all of five seconds. via Instagram

Wave Your Flag...Discreetly

Listen, if you want to wrap yourself in an American flag, go for it. Seriously. Do you. Personally, I like to show my pride for the U.S. of A a bit more subtly. Wear the flag trend in a less obvious way with a stars 'n' stirpes bikini under a sheer white top. via Instagram

And If You Must Go Fully Patriotic, Keep It Simple

Here we have perfect examples of both a "do" and a "don't.' No offense to Uncle Sam, but his outfit is just a biiit too much. The stars, the stripes, the hat—dude, we get it. You like America. On the right is a much more subtle approach to the same idea. Focus on two of America's colors and then do subtle accents of the third color. via Instagram

Prints on Prints

If the idea of wearing any variation of red, white, and blue makes you want to scream, go for prints on prints. Any other day of the year, it might look a bit crazy, but you can get away with just about anything on July 4. For instance, last year I sang "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" to my neighbor's dog, and no one thought it was weird until the next day. It's the magic of July 4th, y'all! via Instagram

One Word: Chambray

If it were socially acceptable to marry fabric, I would totally wed chambray. Whether you wear it with white shorts, a denim skirt, or red lips, it's an easy way to look stylish and all-American. via Instagram

Flower Crown

I realize that being a queen on the Fourth is kinda an oxymoron, but whatever, right? A red, white, or blue flower crown is super easy to make, and shouting, "I am the queen of America!" sounds like a lovely way to spend Thursday. via Instagram

Yes, You Can Wear A Bathing Suit (Even If You're Not Near The Beach)

If you're headed to the beach or a pool party for Fourth of July, high-waisted denim shorts over a printed one-piece is the perfect outfit. But even if you're nowhere near H20, the rule of "Anything Goes on July 4" applies once again. via Instagram

White Hot Summer

Now, I could never wear all white. I'd get ketchup, and mustard, and dirt all over me. But if you're the kind of lady who can manage to get through an evening without spilling everything on you, then this is an elegant look. via Instagram

Go Monochrome

If you think wearing red, white, and blue is overkill, just pick one of the colors and run with it. Bonus points if you're able to get a picture as cute as this one. via Instagram

Come Sail Away

Nautical inspired prints are ideal for the ultimate summer holiday, even if you've never been on a sailboat. via Instagram

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