Unit. Corps. God. Country.

The American flag is a representation of the United States of America and everything noble and true that we stand for. Freedom, Democracy, the American Dream, and the rest of our revered beliefs. It has been said that no one is truly worthy of wrapping themselves in the flag, save for our brothers and sisters in arms and our Olympic champion athletes. Some argue it’s vulgar and disrespectful to splay our beloved stars and stripes on trivial materialistic goods and grimace at the sight of them on everything from bikinis to beach towels. The flag to many Americans is sacred, sacrosanct, and should be treated with respect, handled with discipline, and valiantly defended.

Having said that…

USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

Whether you’re arguing with your outrageously conservative Fox News fan of a father-in-law over potato salad, or loitering near the barbecue explaining the validity of the Birthers’ citizenship concerns, no one can question your love for this fucking awesome country as long as your sporting some seriously flamboyant ‘merican footwear.

America.

Fuck Yeah.

The catch 22 of the Summer Dress

Each and every summer I encounter the same problem. Even though I do my best to avoid it, and prepare for it, I cannot stop it. It’s a force greater than any biological urge, supernatural pull, or natural disaster. It’s the lure of the Summer Dress. The Summer Dress is girly, flirty, cute, pretty, and maybe every other disturbingly stereotypical feminine adjective you can think of. But, the Summer Dress also keeps you cool as temperatures rise. The Summer Dress is comfortable and allows you the range of motion you need to frolic through a field of daisies in full bloom. The Summer Dress is casual enough for the weekly grocery errand, but still dressy enough for drinks out on the patio at dusk. The Summer Dress, however, is rarely edgy, and therein lies my yearly dilemma.

Worn alone, the Summer Dress leaves me looking pretty, but hardly, interesting, creative, and downright awesome. Sandals and a sundress alone rarely provide me with the “oomph” and “rad” I crave in an outfit, and mostly leave me feeling like the love interest in a country western music video. Here, are some ways I’ve found to combat this problem. Whilst, remaining loyal to my first love.

First of all. The simplest way to make a Summer Dress undeniably cool, is by buying an undeniably cool Summer Dress. Unfortunately that is easier said than found.

A few key things can make a Summer Dress interesting enough, to stand on it’s own.

An amazing print

Pixie Market / Monster Vintage

Fantastic Structure

asos

Interesting Details

topshop

If you’re anything like me though, you’ve probably promised yourself you’re not going to buy just another pretty dress, moments before falling into a silly stupor over a cute summer number. Here’s a few dresses I could see myself easily buying on a whim. And with them, a few strategies I might employ to keep myself from looking like a CMT extra.

Compare and Contrast

Monster Vintage / Oak NYC / Pixie Market

Taking the Back Seat

Pixie Market / Lori’s Shoes / Lulu’s

Mix and Mis-Match

Forever 21 / Steve Madden / Monster Vintage

I am forever searching for ways to make “fun flirty” dressed, into something a bit more cerebral. What are some ways you like to punch up an outfit that’s border line too cutesy?

Sugar, Spice, and bows!

I have always had a weak spot for the most girlie of dresses. Those pieces that as kids we'd play dress up with and dance around like Disney princesses or olympic ice skaters( I totally don't do that anymore...yeah). In later years (long long after those young dress up days...) I drooled in awe over the extravagantly clad Lolita dressers of japan in that famous Fruits photography book. I still feel like I need to get dressed up and have a tea party when I look at Lolita fashion. I'm excited that right now lots of girlie garments are coming out with this Japanese influence, and bows are on just about everything. I love it! The Japanese magazine Alice Deco a la Mode is full of this classic lolita look.
but they also have neat twists like this cute, modern, and vintage outfit. agh soo cute. The Christian Dior 2011 resort line was the aged up, vintage version of that classic japan street wear. Amazing, and full of those lovely shades of mint, peach, and powder pink.



Urges to dress like a cupcake are more and more frequent for me, but sometimes I just want to wear my same old jeans and tee... add a bow, and wow!! girlie-casual. wish I could afford this $225 exploding bow blouse from J-Crew.