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Patriotic attire can be stylish. In many Nations, it’s tradition to dress in patriotic attire on the National Holiday for  parades or parties. Therefore, you must not be an American to get something out of this post. Read how to look your best when creating a patriotic outfit from pieces in your closet, whatever your national colors may be.

 

 

Disclosure: This post has affiliate links.

 

Use Your National Colors to Create a Stylish Patriotic Outfit

Even though my outfit inspirations are in red-white-and-blue, this post is meant to be inclusive for all my readers. You, for sure, have enough fantasy to replace those colors with your National colors.

 

Nicole in her national colors in a high-low tulip hem dress
DV bag, Very Fine Dance Sport Shoes T-strap sandals, ruby belt, unbranded camisole, Nordgreen watch, Paloma Picasso sunglasses, swirl dress c/o Clara Sunwoo.

 

British inspired effortlessly stylish outfit idea for a National Holiday
Shein dress, DV bag, Very Fine Dance Sport Shoes T-strap sandals, Hermes enamel bangles, hat c/o Coolibar.

 

How to Dress for a National Day

You can use the colors of the flag or colors that are close enough to show the intent to dress with the theme. The collage below shows two inspirations that substitute red with pink, and one using light blue instead of blue. The color combinations are close enough for a stylish patriotic outfit.

 

stylist featuring 3 stylish patriotic outfit ideas created with colors similar to her Nation's
Examples of staying close to the National colors. Left: London boyfriend jeans, Isaac Mizrahi pink sweater, Fossil white denim jacket, DIY necklace, Hermes H- and collier de chien bangle, Festina watch, and LV multi-color studded bag. Middle: Notation T-shirt, Ralph Lauren polka dot pleat-skirt, Kieselstein Cord belt, Hermes collier de chien bangle, and Chanel bag. Right: Oliveo leather skirt, white and blue Carhartt button-down shirt, Ray Ban sunglasses, Jaeger tote, Tissot rock watch, Hermes collier de chien bangle, and wedge slides c/o Vionic.

 

There is no need to just wear the National Colors. In the stylish patriotic outfit inspiration below, for instance, the leopard shoes add brown, tan and black.

Stylist tip: Adding another color reduces the risk to look costumed.

 

mature woman in casual red-white and blue outfit for Independence Day
Outfit inspiration with an added color: Levi’s denim jacket knotted around the waist for style with G-III suede skirt, Aldo leopard print pony-hair pumps, Ray Ban sunglasses, Celine tote, and striped T-shirt c/o Marine Layer.

 

Try an element of your flag like the stars or stripes of the star-sprinkled banner, or the cross(es) of the United Kingdom, Greek, Danish, Finnish, Georgian, and Iceland flags, just to give some examples.

 

3 national day outfit ideas featuring the stripes of the flag
Left: The Limited polo shirt with London Jean boyfriend jeans, Kieselstein Cord belt, Constance bag, Keds, and sunglasses c/o ShopGlasses. Middle: Burberry Brit trench coat, Brooks Brothers sailor’s sweater, Oliveo jeans, Salvador Ferragamo shoes, and wood watch c/o Jord. Right: Oliveo maxi leather skirt, Dr. Scholl wedge sandals, Festina sport watch, striped T-shirt c/o Marine Layer, and wooden watch c/o Jord.

 

 

Why to Avoid Meant to Be “Funny” Independence Day Attire

Many people died for their country’s Independence. Therefore, even not so extreme Independence Day Attire as the young lady in the photo below may be received as disrespectful. Moreover, these items are never stylish at any age.

 

outfits what not to wear on Independence Day over 40
Example of what not to wear on Independence Day. A bikini or shorts in the colors of your flag are a guaranteed ticket to end up on the worst dressed list.

 

How to Avoid Looking Costumed in Patriotic Colors

Here is a list of what not to wear when dressing for National Day.

  • Ruffles are an element of costumes and Romantic Style, but not for a serious event like a National Day.
  • Stay away from bikini, shorts, socks, T-shirts, dresses, shoes, sunglasses, hats, shirts, etc. with flag prints. It’s plain tasteless
  • Don’t cut an old flag, and make it into an apron.

 

How to Get Patriotic Dressing Right at any Age

Stylist’s tricks to dress patriotically, respectfully and stylishly.

  • Riot your closet for items in your national colors. If you plan to go to a parade or dress for a BBQ with friends, create a casual outfit with these items like you would wear at a normal weekend.
  • An alternative is to just go with the spirit and use colors that are in the same hue. Again create a casual look in your style. You may even add another color to your national colors or swap just one color with a color in the same family but a different hue. But let the spirit still be obvious. For example, when your nation has just one color like orange for the Netherlands, salmon pink or peach are great options. You even may add another color in small doses and still get a patriotic look. If you style a monochromatic look in just your nation’s color add interest by different texture or shine.
  • Leave one color out.
  • Create a stylish patriotic outfit that includes the colors.

 

French inspired stylish patriotic outfit with striped sailor top and trench coat
French Woman inspired red-white and blue outfit. Ralph Ralph Lauren polka dot pleated skirt, Brooks Brothers sweater, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, pearl necklace, and Salvatore Ferragamo Vara pumps.

 

 

Stylish Patriotic Outfit Ideas for Women over 40

The following photos illustrate the above discussed concepts applied in red-white and blue  national-inspired looks for women over 40.

 

influencer in 3 patriotic inspired outfit inspirations
Patriotic looks in red, white and blue. Left: Star denim jacket, slip dress, DIY scarf and BP espadrilles. Middle: Levi’s jacket, G-III suede skirt, polka dot print Keds, Hermes collier de chien cuff, Hermes enamel bangles, Ray Ban sunglasses, Celine tote, and T-shirt c/o Marine Layer. Right: Oliveo leather skirt, August Silk top, Jones New York striped cardigan, unbranded pointy-toe studded flats, Hermes enamel and collier de chien bangles, cameo pendant necklace and earrings, Seiko watch, and Celine tote.

 

 

Try outfits that also would work on a normal weekend, but just have the colors. Here are some visual, stylish patriotic outfit inspirations that include the colors, but could also be worn on a weekend.

 

4 red white and blue outfits for Independence Day
From left to right: GNW cardigan, G-III suede skirt, Hermes collier de chien leather band, Paloma Picasso sunglasses, and Chanel belt. Oliveo denim skirt, August Silk sweater, BP espadrilles, D&GM sunglasses, Hermes Constanza bag, Kieselstein Cord belt, GNW cardigan. Olivero leather shorts, Loft striped T-shirt, Hermes H-buckle belt, Star denim jacket, and Celine tote. Karina navy with red floral dress, Liz Claiborne hat, Gloria Vanderbilt pumps, Hermes collier de chien bracelets, and Chanel bag.

 

 

When you liked the outfit recipes of this post, and want recipes for all kind of dressing situation in midlife, buy my book How to Dress for Success in Midlife.

 

 

 

Wrapping Up How to Dress for Independence Day

No matter what your nationality is, when it comes to dressing in the national colors, one may end up looking costumed. To avoid looking ridiculous in patriotic attire.

  1. Stay away from anything ruffled.
  2. Don’t wear clothes that have flag prints.
  3. Pick items in the national colors from your closet and create a casual tasteful weekend outfit.
  4. When you like a twist or only want to go with the vibe, add another color or leave one out.
  5. Substitute one color with a color that is close to your national colors.

 

What do you do on your National Day? Will you wear a patriotic outfit? Do you have a family tradition? What are your plans for Independence Day? Do you have a patriotic inspired backup plan for a rainy July 4th?

 

Happy 4th of July to my fellow Americans.

 

 

Photos of me: G. Kramm

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