Hello, friends! A happy Wednesday to all of you! I know that it may seem silly, but as I’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, I used to use holidays, yes, even the fourth of July, as excuses to buy new outfits. I love putting together cute outfits, and even more so when there’s a theme, but there comes a time when you need to realize that it’s really not necessary to do that. Especially when you have so many outfits from years passed…
As a result of this, I’ve been trying to shop my own closet more. It’s such a simple thing, but it really allows you to look at your closet with fresh eyes. The other week I decided to wear a sweater that I’ve had since middle school. I remember not wearing it a lot because I thought it looked bad on me, and now, seven years later, I think it looks adorable! It’s funny how our perspective can change about such things.
ANYWHO.
Let’s begin!
Accessories:
Sunglasses: I chose this pair of red, heart-shaped, sunglasses because I think they are so darn cute, first of all. Second of all, I think they’re just perfect for fourth of July. I really enjoy wearing sunglasses almost as one would wear a headband. I think it looks so effortlessly chic, not to mention practical, especially if you find yourself in a car with all of the windows down. And, of course, they’re quite useful when the sun gets in your eyes. I also have a pair of cat-eyed sunglasses that are red and white polka dot, that I think would be quite perfect. I think that as far as sunglasses go, it’s hard to go wrong with a red and/or white pair. And as far as where I got these red ones from, I do believe it was at Rue 21, maybe five years ago. Luckily, a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses are pretty easy to come by.
Earrings: In my opinion, pearl earrings — even if they’re fake, are a classic, and can be worn for just about every situation. I bought a pack of three from Kohl’s for my engagement pictures, and haven’t stopped wearing them since. In fact, as I type this, I’m wearing the middle pearl earrings right now. Again, effortlessly chic. Now that’s the classic pearl earrings. I also have a pair of dangly-ish ones that would be adorable as well. I like to wear the original pearl ones if I have my hair up, and then the more dangly ones if I have my hair down, as they’re a little easier to see through my hair. (Unfortunately, they were a gift, so I do not know where they are from. Sorry, friends.) Now that blue pair… these are so gorgeous and just deliciously gaudy. They remind me of the earrings that are really trendy right now, the big ones made up of fabric. I think these would be so cute if you had your hair up, maybe a white dress, and then a really fabulous red lip. And alas, these ones were a hand-me-down from my momma, so I do not know where they’re from.
Watch: Again, a piece of jewelry from my engagement pictures. I think that any sort of white watch would look especially darling, because they’re just so classic. Especially if you were wearing an outfit that only had a touch of white, this would be perfect in tying in the whole look. I don’t have a brown watch, but I do think that would look very cute and polished as well. Especially if you chose to wear an outfit that was predominately navy. The brown would serve as a neutral to the outfit. Especially since black and navy don’t always seem to get along in an outfit.
Lipstick:I am probably one of the world’s biggest advocates for a good red lip. The lipstick that I do have is generally red. And on the fourth of July, what could be better? I envision a nice red lip with a really sleek bun, or perhaps some 1940’s movie starlet curls? I love a red lip with super minimal eye makeup, it really helps draw the eye to the red lip. The one I have featured is a Besame one, Victory Red is the name. It looks really nice paired with a gloss, especially if you don’t want it to feel as lipstick-y. There are so many different wonderful shades of red, and I know that everyone has a preference. This lipstick is more of a blue-red, which I find to be very flattering on me. I would definitely recommend trying different shades of red lipstick before writing it off completely…
Bag: I’m not one who buys bags very often. I have two. This one, which I got from TJ Maxx, and a black one that I got from Kohl’s two years ago. Again, I will suggest a brown bag, instead of a black one, as I think the brown is a better neutral for red, white, and blue, and also a really great neutral for summer. I also absolutely adore the whicker bag trend that’s been really popular as of late. I think that it looks so precious, and like you’re on a perpetual picnic, and who doesn’t want that? Of course, if you’re spending your fourth on the beach, a nice, sturdy, canvas tote would also do. We love frivolity here at Midwest Mattie Mae, but practicality definitely has its time and place.
Outfits:
Okay, so for this first outfit, I thought it would be a fun idea to make a swimsuit part of an outfit, as I typically find myself in a swimsuit during the fourth. I generally opt for one piece bathing suits, but I’m sure you could pair some cute overalls with any swimsuit that you may have. I bought this swimsuit last summer from Target. I’m quite partial to polka dots or stripes for swimwear, and I think that either of them would be perfect for the holiday. Stars too, of course! And I’m quite fond of overalls. I’ve been wearing them since I was a little baby, thanks to my momma’s love of them. This pair was from Zumiez last winter. I, of course, would suggest going to a thrift shop to look for some overalls, I know that a lot of people have great luck finding them at thrift shops. Regardless of where you find them, they’re adorable and perfect for any summer event.
The outfit below is probably my favorite. It features a hand-me-down red sweater that I’ve had to fix many times, as its quite prone to snags and holes. I remember going to church camp and thinking that the older girls who wore shorts and long sleeved shirts/sweatshirts/sweaters looked so cool. The pairing of shorts with a long sleeved top is the perfect look for later in the day, when it starts getting a little colder out. Watching the fireworks while being snuggled up in this sweater…and these shorts! They’re a pair of Levi’s that I found at Goodwill. They were actually jeans, but I cut them into shorts two summers ago. I really like that I was able to cut them into shorts, so that I could make them into a length that I feel comfortable with, as I don’t tend to like shorts that are too short.
This outfit’s focal point is the shorts. They’re the cutest little pair of striped shorts, combined with a navy turtleneck. The top I found at Goodwill, and the shorts were another hand-me-down from my Momma, two years ago. I think that any pair of statement piece shorts would be perfect paired with a plain top. Again, polka dots, stripes, or even stars, with a mixture of red, white, and blue. I generally don’t mix prints, but that’s of course just a personal preference of mine. I usually go for a statement top with a plain bottom, or vice versa. That being said, it can be quite fun to mix patterns, and I think that the fourth of July would be a perfect excuse to do so!
This outfit is the perfect mixture of casual and dressed up. The delicate white top, paired with a more relaxed maxi dress. They’re both from Goodwill, from years ago. I think that a maxi skirt or dress is perfect for the summer. I think that they’re even more wonderful to wear to the beach, paired with a dainty sandal. I love the floral print of the skirts, because it’s not so fourth of July that you couldn’t wear it on just a regular ol’ day. And I definitely wear this skirt quite often. It’s one of my favorite pieces, and has been in my closet since high school. And I think that the top is not only adorable, but super practical as well. The material is quite breathable, so you won’t get so sweaty on these hot summer days.
This outfit would be perfect for a day where it may be extra chilly for the entirety of the day. I paired some stretch pants from Van Heusen and this top from TJ Maxx. Again, I’ve had these pants since high school, and I’ve had the shirt for about a year and a half. I like this one as well because its a noncommittal pattern that can work for many an occasion. And how nice does light blue look with a tan? Or in my case… a sunburn. And the pants look effortlessly chic, and are SO comfy. I know that not everyone wants to wear a pant that is closer to a jegging, but I absolutely love them, and find them to be quite flattering.
Thank you so much for reading, my friends! Happy “shopping”!
XOXO,
Mattie Mae
Midwest mattie 