Cute 4th of July Outfit Ideas (That Are Classic, Not Cheesy)

The following content may contain affiliate links. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission.

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. I have always been patriotic, and having had multiple family members serve our country, I feel a great sense of pride to be an American. We don’t have any solidified traditions with the boys for the 4th of July yet, but we almost always head to Boone to watch fireworks and spend time with family. July 4th falls on a Friday this year, which makes it perfect for a festive long weekend! 

While we don’t have a big party to attend or any true 4th of July “occasions,” I will be dressing festively. If you follow me on LTK, you know that I wear my beloved American Flag sweater from Tuckernuck all year long (and I’ll probably wear it on the 4th this year since we’ll be in the mountains), but today I wanted to share a handful of other Fourth of July outfits in case you’re looking for something festive for yourself.

I’m intentionally publishing this post in mid-May, so I hope you find something fun to wear all the way from Memorial Day to Independence Day.

So, first, here’s what to wear on Memorial Day

Memorial Day has always been more than just a long weekend to me. Growing up, every year we’d drive three hours from home to Neola, Utah. You’ve probably never heard of it, but it’s where my dad grew up, and it’s where we spent every Memorial Day weekend. We’d decorate the graves of our loved ones, share stories, and honor their memories. And, my family in Utah still carries on that tradition. 

Memorial Day is a time to remember the sacrifices made by those who served our country and to spend quality time with family. It’s a day filled with emotion for many, but it can also be filled with a deep sense of pride and appreciation.

When it comes to dressing for Memorial Day, I opt for respectful and comfortable outfits. A navy sundress paired with simple accessories or a crisp white blouse with my favorite denim shorts strikes the right balance. If we’re attending a family gathering or visiting a memorial or cemetery, I’ll choose something slightly more polished, like a white eyelet top with tailored shorts and comfortable white sneakers.  

The goal is to feel put-together without being flashy. I think of Memorial Day as a time to dress with intention, choosing pieces that feel classic, polished, and appropriate for the occasion. And the best part? Most of what I wear on Memorial Day works right through the 4th of July.

Cute 4th of July Outfit Ideas 

When I think of July 4th style, I go for timeless, comfortable outfits that still feel festive—nothing overly costume-y. Classic blue and white dresses, striped tops, breezy cotton fabrics, and denim always come to mind. Add a red lip or bandana and you’re good to go. Whether you’re headed to a barbecue, watching fireworks, or just spending time at home, these pieces are versatile enough to take you through the entire holiday.

Best Dresses

Like I mentioned above, I’m planning to wear my Tuckernuck sweater for the 4th this year. However, I haven’t decided whether to wear it as a top with my favorite denim shorts or drape it over my shoulders and pair it with a dress. I’ll likely let the weather dictate that! But with dresses in mind, here are some favorites.

My very favorite option for this year is this Red and Blue Stripe Mini Ceci Dress from Tuckernuck. While it’s technically red and blue stripes, it’s not quite as bold as this Americana Stripe Sadie Dress (still adorable, just a little too much for my personal taste–I’d be more likely to stick to a blue and white stripe dress like this rather than red, white, and blue stripes). Yes, I’m a huge Tuckernuck dress fan.

I also already own this Chambray Callahan Shirt Dress and may end up wearing it this year for the 4th. The linen material is lightweight, but the cuffed sleeves are nice for cooler mountain nights. For a budget-friendly pick, this red smocked maxi dress from Amazon is a winner. I bought this last year, and the fit is perfect (and you can’t beat that price). It’s also breastfeeding-friendly if you’re in that season of life. For all of these dresses, I’ll either wear one of my go-to neutral sandals or a pair of white sneakers (sneakers with dresses is one of my favorite outfit combinations).

Festive Tops

If you’re more of a jeans-and-top girl, I have lots of fun ideas (and of course, you know I’m going to say the Ivory American Flag sweater is my top pick, or here’s a budget-friendly flag sweater). If you opt for jean shorts or even full-length denim on the bottom, a festive top is an easy way to make your outfit feel special. You can go the casual route with this Red Stripe Parker Classic Tee, or you could dress your look up a bit more with this Blue Stripe Rae Blouse or this Blue Stripe Selena Blouse and some fun star earrings.

A unique (and unexpected) option for the 4th would be this White & Royal Blue Soutache Stella Blouse. We’re used to seeing stripes everywhere, but this intricate soutache embroidery is a fun alternative! The colors are perfect, and you could easily wear this throughout the rest of summer and into fall with a pair of jeans.

Pair any of these with my favorite white jeans or denim shorts for an easy outfit that still feels festive.

Casual Options

Do you prefer a more casual option that’s still festive? Here are some low-key options that still hit the mark. This Cannon Romper is easy, casual, and something you can wear all summer long. It’s under $100 on sale, has a stretchy waistline, and will work with any white sneakers or casual sandals. A pair of short white overalls has been on my list to purchase for a while, and those would make a really cute 4th of July look. They’d look great with a white tee underneath for a monochromatic vibe, or you could do a red or blue striped tee for something more festive.

And of course, you can always accessorize an outfit you already own! A simple white t-shirt and cutoff jean shorts look as festive as anything with a red lip or bandana.

Accessories

Like I mentioned above, you definitely don’t need a whole themed outfit, and if you don’t want to buy anything new, you can still easily create something festive from your existing closet! A red or blue bandana is an easy choice– wear it in your hair, around your neck, or tied on your purse. Star earrings would be a cute option, or even just red lipstick (this is the best red lipstick shade ever that doesn’t make your teeth look yellow).

Denim feels “Americana”, and so does raffia. If you have a cute pair of jean shorts or a raffia bag you can wear (If you haven’t grabbed one yet, I rounded up my favorite summer straw bags here), you’re instantly festive.

Swim

If you’re headed to the beach, lake, or pool, here are some patriotic-but-wearable swim options. The La Blanca one-piece is my all-time favorite flattering swimsuit. It’s usually on sale, comes in many colors, and looks good at every single life stage (it was my postpartum go-to and I still wear it almost every time we go to the pool). The Navy is a great option for the 4th, and of course, you can wear it long afterward, too. You could make it a tad more festive with red sunglasses or a red block print sarong.

I just ordered this Scrunch One Piece in the Americana block colorway, so I’ll report back how I like it once it arrives. Assuming it’s as good as I hope, it’s the ideal 4th of July swimsuit.

I recently saw the Antonio Melani x M.G. Style collaboration, and their Amalfi Textured Covered Button bikini instantly came to mind when thinking about swimwear for the 4th. While it’s called the “Amalfi” swimsuit, it feels very Jackie-O (hence, Americana) to me. And if you’re looking for coverage and comfort, I shared a full post on my favorite mom-friendly swimsuits.

I hope this roundup gave you a few outfit ideas for the 4th of July! Whether you’re spending the day grilling, swimming, or watching fireworks with your family, it’s always more fun when you feel good in what you’re wearing.

If you have any fun traditions, I’d love to hear—leave a comment or reply to this week’s newsletter with my weekly fashion finds!

Shop The Post