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Classy red, white, & blue
Model Ann St Marie, 1957
The Fourth of July is always interesting to me from a fashion standpoint. Other than Christmas and St. Patrick’s day, here in the US it’s the biggest holiday where the whole country dresses with a specific color palette in mind.
Most kinds of theme dress have archetypal poor fashion choices, from ugly sweaters to garish accessories and face paint. I am a sucker for themed dressing though, and I try to balance goofy and sophisticated in a way that allows me to have fun and celebrate the holiday without sticking out like a sore thumb.
Do you like to wear holiday themed outfits, or do you find it to be cheesy?
Comments
Annette Tirette
July 4, 2013 #
I have a tendency to dress for the occasion, or to be inspired by the things I like in my sewing… The key is finding a way to use these influences in your own way, so it fits with your own style. If your outfit makes you feel uncomfortable or it’s completely different from your usual choices, it will show. I always ask myself if I’d wear something out of the context I’d make it for, and if the answer is yes it’s a winner!
Signe
July 4, 2013 #
I am not from the US, but to me, dressing in certain colors for certain events has an unpleasant ring to it. I know it’s completely innocent and an important part of building a sense of community for some. But I just don’t like seeing lots of people wearing national colors. It reminds me of politics that fortunately are long gone in my part of the world, but is still taking place in others.
I know it’s silly, and I know there is nothing (!) fascist about celebrating a national holiday, but I suppose the whole dressing in national colors is a tradition that has been ruined for me by events of the past. So no, I would never dress in national colors for a holiday.
I realise that I am the one with a messed up conception of this, and please understand that I am not saying that dressing in national colors is wrong at all. Personally, I just wouldn’t enjoy it. Peace :-)
Kelly
July 4, 2013 #
I agree with everything you just said :)
Ledys
July 4, 2013 #
I agree! I love themes, too, but it’s very hard to do them with what you would find at the store. I don’t normally do graphic tees or graphic sweaters or things like that, so that is when sewing comes in so handy :-) I like your rule, Annette: if you can wear it during another occasion, it’s a go! That is why I usually just go for a color or stripe or interesting color combination for any “themed” outfits I make. For example, one year I made my two daughters Labor Day outfits that were a floral red/white faux smocked sundress. It was still fulfilling the theme without being too obvious, and they have worn those dresses so much ever since. The 3-yr-old has outgrown it, so now she wears it as a top :-)
MB@YarnUiPhoneApp
July 4, 2013 #
I like the model’s chevron dress above. It’s classic, what I don’t like is the sea of red, white and blue tee shirts I see every Fourth of July. It’s boring. A dress or skirt in the same colors would be different and heck, would be even be a great way to start a conversation. “I see you’re wearing a dress in Fourth of July colors. Where did you get it?”
Virginia
July 4, 2013 #
I’m not really a dress up for historical days sort of girl (except maybe pride events) but I think the key is to pick something you could go out on other days in and not look like a numpty.
Claire
July 4, 2013 #
I was going to say I am not that keen sometimes when the UK flag feels sometimes too nationalistic, as some of the comments above. it was different with the Olympics last year though. Also, I feel ridiculously pleased that the fine Scots word ‘numpty’ has crossed the Atlantic…so I guess that is pride in my country :-) . I am an English born Scot hoping for Independence, so lots of blue and white for me then.
Amanda
July 4, 2013 #
I love dressing for holidays, and I don’t see it cheesy at all! Now.. I would never go out of my way to buy an American flag t-shirt specifically for the holiday, but I love looking through my closet to see what I can find that’s red, white, and blue. (Red and blue are my favorite colors, so it’s not that hard!). Yesterday I was going through my fabric stash because I want to sew up a quick red bandana to wear with my outfit today. :)
rbjaneite
July 4, 2013 #
I like wearing a themed ribbon in my hair – red, white & blue for Independence Day, green & yellow for Australia Day (I’m multi-national!), etc. It’s subtle but fun. I also sometimes add badges that go with the theme. I have some very cool Red Cross badges from WWI and WWII that I wear on ANZAC and Remembrance days.
Mugsy
July 4, 2013 #
Being Canadian, we are restricted to red and white if we wish to dress up in our national colours…unless one cheats and uses their provincial or territorial flags as inspiration, that is! *lol*
Not one much for dressing up for national holidays and such. Sure, I’ll add a Christmas pin or brooch to the wardrobe, and we always have the poppy during Rememberance Day (although most of us start wearing it about a month before the actual day). I usually stick to small embellishments and not go “whole hog” (no mean intent in that statement, it’s just an old saying) by dressing up.
Love reading all of the opinions here – and I’m SO happy we’re all able to freely speak our mind on the subject (really liked Signe’s comment :) ). Happy Independance Day to my American neighbours!
Catherine
July 4, 2013 #
For all those who don’t know (I remember blank incomprehension trying to explain Remembrance Day to some South Carolinians) Canadian Remembrance Day is the almost equivalent of Memorial Day in the States, except you guys were smart and honour your soldiers and war heroes in decent weather! There’s nothing like standing to attention for an hour in a sleet storm to make you really, really, really wish that the WWI Armistice could have been signed some other month!
As for dressing for the holiday, I kind of enjoyed driving around Ottawa on Monday and seeing everyone in a red t-shirt!
Mugsy
July 5, 2013 #
Thank you so much for explaining Rememberance Day, Catherine – silly me for not doing it myself! *lol* I admit to being a little weirded out initially, though – freaked me out momentarily having someone with the same namesake reply to my comment :) Hope you had a terrific Canada Day!
Stephanie
July 4, 2013 #
I think dress is a natural, universal way to participate in events/celebrations that are important to you. It’s fun to dress in green for St. Patrick’s or red at Christmas time or kente for Black History month or red for Valentine’s etc., etc. It’s an easy way for people to feel a part of what’s happening in their world. Yes, it can be taken too far, but you don’t have to be dressed a certain way to be obnoxious;)
Jenny
July 4, 2013 #
I agree with what Stephanie wrote. I also think that dressing in colors that represent an event or celebration help to unite us as Americans and it’s important to us. My mother was born out of the country and became a naturalized citizen ~ I feel fortunate to have been born in this country. Happy Independence Day!!!
Sewing Princess
July 4, 2013 #
I like blue, red and white color palette…which are the same as UK and France actually. Given the history it’s an odd choice to make. It amazes me to see so many flags on display in the US. I wouldn’t wear holiday colors unless it was something subtle as the dress in the post or I just wanted to have a fun outfit for a theme party.
Jennifer
July 4, 2013 #
Well if I had a gorgeous dress like the model in the photo above I would dress 4th of July themed. Hmm maybe I need to make one. Happy 4th!
Laura
July 4, 2013 #
I’m totally wearing my Captain America skirt today, so it’s safe to say I like a theme. I especially like Christmas dressing…
Tracy McElfresh
July 4, 2013 #
Love!!! I’m sharing!!
Seattlerain
July 4, 2013 #
A Captain America skirt would be fun!!! My little bug just got interested in Wonder Woman, so that would be fun to have today! I dress in my favorite colors, which don’t include red, white, or blue. Today I’m traveling so black it is and the little one is in hello kitty pink.
No July 4th theme for us, ever. It always makes me laugh to see the July 4th holiday-themed clothing drastically on sale. To me it feels like that those type of graphics/colors are only for one day of the year. I don’t mind it on others though.
I’m not adverse to pink or hearts for valentines day! So I’m not against themes, per se, but really motivated by colors or graphics that I like.
Laurel
July 9, 2013 #
One of my daughters had a favorite super Girl dress, complete with cape, and wore it constantly when she was 18 months old until about three years of age, when she could no longe squeeze into it. Every Fourth of July strangers would compliment her adorably themed outfit. But she was also garbed just the same way in mid-November, early Spring and (yes) Christmas Eve too. I told you it was her favorite!). I guess a “theme” is in the eye of the beholder.
Kristen F
July 4, 2013 #
I dress for some holidays but subtle. I’ll take one or two associated colors: white and/or green for Christmas [tired of red and green], black/orange for Halloween/October [FAVORITE!], green for St. Pat’s [of course!], and so far today it is red/white/blue/golden yellow plaid. I stay away from any colors related to Valentine’s Day during the month of February though. It’s the opposite of Halloween for me: October I want everything Halloween and February I avoid the red, pink, and purple since it is all over the place.
Diane @ Vintage Zest
July 4, 2013 #
We were never encouraged as children to dress up for every holiday, so I don’t have it in my blood to color-coordinate family outfits like other people do. However, I do like a little tip of my hat to the holiday once in a while, like the dress you posted above. I am NOT one of those girls who looks like the entire party aisle threw up all over her!
On a side note, I always felt weird about people dressing in flag-inspired get-ups, especially the stars & stripes bikinis. For some reason, it always seemed a little unpatriotic to me.
Gwen
July 4, 2013 #
I love it BECAUSE it’s cheesy… so, both!
(I don’t always do it myself, but I totally appreciate when others make the effort.)
Donna
July 5, 2013 #
Yes, this! I feel the same. And I will also wear cheesy Ts and/or vest (purple and black w/ gold and orange stars/moons and scary cats) for Halloween, “ugly” Christmas sweaters any day in Dec that’s cold enough (I’m in TX and family is in AZ, so it’s not a given). I even have jewelry – mostly earrings. Vampire cats for Halloween, lots of choice for Christmas (some are even on the elegant side), and even a pair for election day! (An elephant and a donkey in the red/white/blue stripes – but I got them when I lived in DC, LOL) I also wear green/gold/purple for Mardi Gras – including all 3 colors of cheap plastic/metallic beads. I acquired them legitimately, though – at a Mardi Gras parade in Baton Rouge.
I believe Remembrance Day is the same as our (US) Veterans Day – in Nov? I’ll dress patriotic for that, too. But I will wear “patriotic” clothing on random days, too.
Janette
July 4, 2013 #
I love dressing for 4th of July! In fact, it’s the only holiday all year I can be guaranteed to dress according to the holiday. St. Patrick’s day is 50/50 at best (I don’t do anything to celebrate it) and Christmas may bring out some red. But today? I have red white and blue on right now. Granted the blue is jeans but still! I wear a lot of red anyway so it’s easy to do without looking crazy. Plus it’s the one holiday the entire country celebrates regardless of religion or ethnicity.
Mags
July 4, 2013 #
It depends. Sometimes I wear themed holiday outfits sincerely because I feel it adds to the day, sometimes I dress up ironically and vaguely sarcastically because it is the only way I can possibly get through the day without sporking someone. But usually I just wear whatever I want and don’t go out of my way to go with a colour scheme or theme.
Giusy
July 4, 2013 #
What a beautiful picture!! I’m in Italy and we haven’t a holiday like the 4th of July, maybe 2nd of June (Proclamation of Republic), and/or 1st of May (working class holiday) for some people could be similar, but in any case neither is so feels like your holiday. I think that every color in garments is allowed, the point to focus to is to mantain the elegance in every circumstance. :)
Jeri Sullivan
July 4, 2013 #
Love to dress the holiday, especially the 4th. I come from a military family so national pride is at its peak today :-)
Pamlyn
July 5, 2013 #
I am in England. Dressing up like that is just not something we tend to do here. Perhaps for a big event like the Olympics or the Queen’s Jubilee you might see more people dressing up in patriotic colours but it does not happen regularly. We do not seem to go in for flying Union Jacks much either, except for aforesaid occasions. We do not celebrate things like Valentines and Halloween in such a big way either. Christmas is a big thing and for some people so is Easter but beyond that there are not really any other national “holiday” celebrations.
Colleen
July 5, 2013 #
I agree with the poster way up there that said if she had a dress that beautiful, she’d do it. As a child of the 60’s, I’ve always had trouble with the sort of patriotism that July 4th tends to bring out. And, with the political scene today, I’m just very uncomfortable with it. That said, I do like to have fun with holidays and if I liked the color scheme of red, white, and blue a little better I might dress that way. But, I really hate those colors together!!!!! I’m guilty, though, of dressing in red and green around Christmas time. Classy, of course. :)
Sandy
July 5, 2013 #
For 4th of July, no, for reasons close to Signe’s. For St Pat’s, well, when I was in school, there was a “custom” that people (due to absence of leprechauns to take care of it) would pinch you if you weren’t wearing green. Nowadays, I’m OK with hitting(deliberately) jumping out of my skin and elbowing people who pinch me, or telling them where they get off! but I like green (sometimes my wardrobe is 30-40% green) so – it’s there, why not wear it? And in the U.S., it’s a bit of a joke holiday anyway; what’s wrong with a little good clean cheesiness?
Christmas is mostly a religious holiday for me, but there’s always a party or family dinner or something – and, again, many of my “good” (read: office-and-church) clothes are green, with a few red and cream pieces, so why not? So . . . yes and know, depending on the holiday/situation.
MTangel
July 7, 2013 #
I like to wear red, white and blue for the 4th (also Memorial, Veteran’s and 9/11) but I don’t have any themed shirts or anything. I’ll just wear something that’s an appropriate color that’s in my closet anyway (jeans with a red shirt, or a navy and white dress). The same with Christmas, except I’ll try to wear something either red or green (not both). Something spring-y for Easter.
Heidilea
July 9, 2013 #
I usually don’t, but I saw a weird fabric at Joann’s and made this for snits and giggles: http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/life-liberty-and-the-pursuit-of
But, otherwise, no.
El
July 10, 2013 #
No, i really do not dress for a holiday. I don’t wear red at christmas, or red/white/blue on the 4th.I have never, not even as a little girl.