Bring on the BBQ and the brewskies, the Fourth is back! This year’s Independence Day is time to reconnect with friends and family in a way we haven’t been able to since pre-pandemic.
There are a lot of ways you can go with holiday flair, and not all of it is pretty. So if your aim is more to show ’em how handsomely you handled lockdown than winning an Uncle Sam lookalike contest, check out these ten great looks that are festive, not fashion fail.
BREW & BBQ
We’ll start off the bat with the number one favorite way we celebrate the 4th, namely the Barbeque party. It can be family or friends, or both. BBQs are great! Our advice, don’t overthink it and just keep it classically casual.
Our perfect fit for a brew & bbq starts with a versatile camp shirt. This red and black beauty from John Varvatos sports a cool retro pattern that’s not overpowering. Pair it with Mott & Bow’s crisp, but super soft classic white tee and Lucky Brand’s 223 Coolmax straights. These straight fit jeans are made with TENCEL, which is a breathable fiber that comes from the Eucalyptus tree (so it keeps you feeling naturally cool even in the heat). Knockaround’s handsome Paso Robles in My Oh My will have you looking good while combating the glare. ToBoot NY’s leather sneaks in cognac are a great alternative if you’re not ready for open toe. Last, add a punch of bling with David Yurman’s hefty Curb Chain ID bracelet. The inlay of red tiger’s eye is stunning and a great conversation piece.
From Left to Right:
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John Varvatos, Danny SS Camp Shirt $148
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David Yurman, Curb Chain ID Bracelet with Red Tiger’s Eye $1,800
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Lucky Brand, 223 Straight Coolmax Stretch Jeans $129
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Knockaround, Paso Robles My Oh My $20
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Mott & Bow, Classic Crew Driggs $30
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To Boot NY, Cushing Cognac $350
CUE THE FIREWORKS
After a year of virtual everything…including fireworks…you’re most likely looking forward to enjoying the real thing again. While most areas this time of year have mild temps when the sun goes down, it’s always smart to dress in layers. We’re really liking the option of Homage’s Lightweight Hoodie, which is made from t-shirt fabric that will ward off that chill without getting you overheated. And if the night turns out to be warmer than expected you can easily tie this hoodie around the waist while you show off Original Paperbacks’ cool tie-dye tee and J. McLaughlin’s retro-Polynesian print. Add some laid back style with Adornia’s Cuban chain necklace and Timberland’s eco-friendly TrueCloud EK+ sneakers (made with recycled cotton and PET). Finally, ditch having to carry around a flashlight all night, or the cheesy blinking necklaces, and go hands free with the Powercap. It has four LEDs built right into the brim with a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 43 hours on a single charge…that’s plenty of time to cover your after-dark maneuvers and some…
From Left to Right:
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Timberland, TrueCloud EK+ Sneakers $100
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J. McLaughlin, Oliver Shorts in Buenavista $138
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Homage, Go-To Lightweight Hoodie $48
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Original Paperbacks, South Sea Crystal Tshirt $16.99
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Powercap, Navy Cotton Hat With Built-In 4 LEDs $24.99
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Adornia, Rhodium Plated Cuban Chain Necklace $29.99
TIME FOR THE TRUNK SHOW
Hitting the beach for your Independence Day this year? Nothing like some fun in the sun for the fourth. Elevate your usual trunk & tee with a nod to this season’s modern prep. Start with J. McLaughlin’s Gibson trunks that add a dash of color and some witty prints. Top it with something soft-draping and breathable, such as Johnston & Murphy’s vintage slub polo. Perfectly paired with this prep look is Knockaround’s Pacific Palisades sunglasses in Navy Rider. Keep the hot sand off your feet with OOFOS’s sport flex slide. It’s made from super cushy foam that is bacteria resistant, so it doesn’t retain smells (no Wookie feet for you). And before you hit the beach, don’t forget to protect your topside from the heavy rays. A white, solid bucket hat by Kim and Bae will do the trick, and it’s a steal of a price right now.
From Left to Right:
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J. McLaughlin, Gibson Swim Trunks Shark & Shark Fin in Coral $98
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Johnston & Murphy, Vintage Slub Polo in Mint $69.50
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Knockaround, Pacific Palisades Rubberized Navy Rider $25
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OOFOS, Ooahh Sport Flex Slide $54.99
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Kim and Bae, Solid Bucket Hat $15
GETTING BACK TO NATURE
Not everyone’s into the crowds. Maybe this holiday you and your friends are hitting the trails and prefer a night’s fire over fireworks. Plenty of parks, national, state and local, have reopened in time for the Fourth. If you’ve got your reservations all set (and if you don’t, you seriously need to get on that pronto) here’s a great fit that’ll work for keeping you cool during daytime exertions and warm once the sun goes down. The linchpin piece is Simms’ superlight, zip-off pant that doubles as hiking shorts by day and long pants at night. SmartWool’s 150 Base Layer short sleeve tee is made from light spun Merino wool that breathes better than cotton. If your level of hiking skill is still unknown, grab Teva’s Ridgeview hiking shoe. Its low profile gives you the comfort of a sneaker with all the grippy bells and whistles of a traditional hiking boot. Finally, when the sun goes down, protect yourself from the chill and nature’s nasty pests with Fox Racing’s thick pullover hoodie, Outdoor Tech’s cuff beanie and some seriously cool anti-mosquito patches from EvolveTogether. Pop one or more of these essential oil patches on your clothes (anywhere but your skin!) and you’ll enjoy hours of DEET-free protection.
From Left to Right:
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SmartWool, Merino 150 Base Layer Short Sleeve Tee $75
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Outdoor Tech, Cuff Beanie $22
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Simms, Superlight Zip-Off Pant $109.95
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Fox, Legacy Moth Camo Pullover Hoodie $64.95
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Teva, Ridgeview Low Hiking Shoe $139.95
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EvolveTogether, Mosquito Repellant Patches (pack of 42) $14.95
WE’RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BOAT
Whether it’s a runabout, sailboat or yacht, life is good on the water. If you’re still getting your sea legs and aren’t sure what to wear, remember you want something stylish but functional. Start with a proper boat short, like this pair from Madda Fella that’s sporting some sweet vintage print. Top that with Vuori’s Tuvalu Tee, made from ultra-soft pima cotton and natural SeaCell fiber (organic seaweed and sustainable wood pulp) for comfort, performance and a nod to father Neptune. Even if you’re partying on something forty-feet plus, it’s a good idea to wear a proper boat shoe. Reef makes one that looks good and keeps you grounded. To add that final nautical touch, slide on a linen shirt, like this one from Nautica and some choice sunglasses, like these from Persol that we found on sale at 68% off (you’re welcome).
From Left to Right:
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Vuori, Tuvalu Tee $48
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Madda Fella, Stunt Pilot Boat Short $84
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Nautica, 100% Linen Shirt $24.99
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Reef, Cushion Matey Mesh Boat Shoe $65
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Persol, Unisex PO3223S Sunglasses $99.99
FOR THE UNCLE SAM SUPERFAN
Okay, all these outfits are perfect for your various holiday activities, but what if your invite for the Fourth is to a party where you know the patriotic fit game will be strong? How do you show off your red, white and blue on full display without looking like you ransacked a Party City store?
Check out this major score from our fav guys over at Tipsy Elves. Their American Pride button down leaves no doubt what holiday this shirt was made for, but the overall look maintains that balance between festive and fashionable. Pair this camp shirt with a solid pair of Bermuda shorts from Brooks Brothers in faded red. Keep the R,W&B coming with a pair of Puma’s suede Triplex sneaks and the piece de resistance? Knockaround’s special release Transformers sunglasses. Why? Because the colors work and Autobots are cool AF…
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