3 in 1 Lookbook: The 4th of July
3 festive looks to throw together for the 4th of July with one easy-to-wear bodysuit.
This distressed denim and black belt combo compliment the bodysuit to create the perfect look for a casual day with friends or family.
There's really no shortage of places to find outfit inspiration for a festivity such as the 4th of July.
From Pinterest and Tumblr to lookbooks on YouTube to even the social media outlets of the clothing brands themselves, the potential in wardrobe is near endless.
As a university student on a budget though, the reality is I can't always afford to go out and purchase a new look for every event that comes around the corner.
My goal in this lookbook is to showcase the versatility of one basic piece, as this is a concept I utilise in my everyday style.
The bodysuit featured throughout this lookbook is from Express and can be found here. It's one of my most-worn pieces of the season, without a doubt.
These Steven Madden booties not only add an extra pop of festivity with the blue velvet, but they add a great bit of height for an elongated leg and something a little unexpected - perfect for taking a day look to night.
One of my favourite things to do with fashion revolves all around the shoe; there isn't a single look in my wardrobe that can't be amped up with an unexpected accent of a cool shoe.
The full look shown above balances the laid-back look with a touch of sex appeal perfectly. Pairing a heel with a denim short is one of my favourite fashion tricks.
The black belt I've paired with this look is still available for purchase on Brandy Melville, along with the Steve Madden velvet booties, which are on sale at the moment.
Unfortunately, I bought my shorts from Pacsun about 4 or so years ago, but I've found some similar patchwork denim shorts on their site.
A simple tank with a pair of classic high-waisted denim shorts is such an classic look to throw on, though, that you could just as easily grab a pair from your own wardrobe to complete the look.
This look is a little more laid-back with a touch of my current favourite fashion trend: embroidery.
The next look is probably my favourite of the three.
Something about embroidery draws me in every time, and while the patchwork-virgin might do well with choosing one piece to focus on, I love the slides with the floral jean.
I think a ripped boyfriend jean is the perfect way to make denim jeans work in the summer - especially in Florida.
Paired with the plain tank and the floral pattern, it still has a touch of individuality while also including a low-key display of red, white and blue; it's festivity without screaming it in your face.
The floral embroidery adds a bit of visual excitement to what would normally be a universally textured look.
My favourite pair of embroidered mom jeans featured in this look are from Topshop, which also happens to be my favourite place to buy denim (shout out to all my tall girls who can't find a fitting pair of jeans to save their life).
The denim embroidered slides I've paired with this outfit are actually from a local shop in Santorini, Greece. I did some scouting around for a similar pair, though, and I found a few reasonable contenders.
These frayed denim slide sandals from Forever 21 provide a good alternative to those who may want to dip their toes in the water instead of diving in head-first.
The brand also sells a pair of black embroidered slide sandals, if that's the aspect you're looking for, or a different version of embroidered denim slides, if you're looking to stay closest to what I've shown.
Pro tip: posing with one leg in front of the other, versus standing straight up, will give the illusion of more height, adding length and angles to your body.
The last look strays away from the denim trend and steps into my next favourite look: the mini skirt.
Whether you're 5'2" or 6'1", a mini skirt is the perfect accessory for a longer leg, and the longer, the better. It can flawlessly transition a good daytime to look to an even better night out.
The combination of the short skirt and a bit of a heel makes for the accessibility of showing some skin while still keeping it casual enough for a summer holiday.
The scalloped mini skirt adds a bit of flare to the look while balancing out the concept of red, white and blue in a visually cohesive way.
Colour coordination can be your best friend when working with plain pieces; it adds a bit of colour blocking to make the look more interesting to the eye.
The white scalloped mini skirt in this look is one of my favourite pieces. From Topshop, the possibilities of ways to wear it are virtually infinite.
This look would also do well with a white denim skirt, though. One of my highest priorities in my own fashion is to find new ways to wear the things I already own.
It's like going "shopping" in your own closet; all you need is a bit of inspiration and a root around your wardrobe.
The leather mules I paired with this look are from Zara. On sale, they also sell a few other colours, if blue isn't for you.
Keeping it simple: placing the focus on one sole aspect of the face makes for a more balanced look.
While a red lip certainly isn't the most far-out choice on a holiday like the 4th of July, there can be something said for keeping it classic.
I'm usually more of a nude lip kind of person - a good lip balm is sometimes all you need.
I love pairing a bold lip with the illusion of a "naked" eye. For this look, I simply threw on a gold shimmer and my favourite Dior Addict It-Lash mascara.
The red lip in the photo is the Maybelline Colour Sensational Creamy Matte lipstick in the shade 685 Craving Coral. My favourite silver hoop earrings are from Express. It's the easiest way to take a look to the next level.
If anybody knows the first thing about me, it's that I love a good bit of luxury. I'd rather have a few really nice things than a ton of lesser items, but sometimes a good drugstore product is all you need.
Overall, I think the fun in fashion is putting your own twist on things. Finding multiple ways to wear one piece is the best way to utilise what you already have.
For more suggestions on what kind of cookbook to do next or information on any of the pieces featured, feel free to shoot me a message in the "Contact Me" section of my about page.
-C.M.