Mar 6, 2013

Americana Style Fashion Trend

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By Sisi Tsoi


It's that time of year again; when the beer is flowing, the sky is filled with fireworks, and no meal is complete without a slice of apple pie a la mode. With the 4th of July around the corner, the Americana style trend is hot to trot. At once timeless and nostalgic, it evokes opportunity, optimism and strength. Whether you were born and bred in the land of the free or simply want to chase your own American dreams, this look is sure to make you want to take a road trip in a beat-up Cadillac and get lost in the Wild West.

If you want to be a representative for the country's great style, there are worse places to start than with the classic stars and stripes. Fly the flag grandly in a blue and red sweater with some torn denim hotpants, or pair some shorts emblazoned with the flag and a large white or blue tank for casual and matching style. Complete with used Converse or a stunning pair of heels depending on whether you're off to catch a baseball game or getting a few drinks in the bar. Of course, the heels will look incredible regardless. There are extra points for people who dedicate to the cause by wearing some boots inspired by the Wild West and its cowgirls.

If you want to reference American culture in slightly less literal ways, look to Prada's Spring/Summer 2012 collection for 1950s glamorous inspiration. The muscle-car print, mimicked elsewhere at ASOS and Primark, is cute and knowingly kitschy, while the leather pieces add a touch of sophistication to the fun. Make like a beauty school dropout with swing skirts in pretty pastels and prints, topped with bandeaus and gingham tie blouses. Add a headscarf and some cat eye sunglasses for a vintage sex appeal that never gets old.

The inspiration doesn't need to stop there. Look for a leather jacket to style with your favourite badges and go for waistline devices to emphasize your types in those perfect outfits. Look for a traditional Birkin style bag to perfect a look that's more Stepford Wives than Desperate Housewives. Contain lady-like printed covers on your wish history so that you can quickly several divides for a pills outfits option to die for. Appropriate for a cross-country journey on the highway!

This isn't a look that you need to wear from head to toe. In fact, only those feeling particularly patriotic may want to. You can easily hint at your enthusiasm for all things Yankee by considering classic symbols such as Eagles, Uncle Sam, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. Clothing and jewellery incorporating these motifs are easy to find and throw a subtler salute to the States, incase you're worried about looking like a walking flagpole. For an all-American vibe that's even easier, just think preppiness and simplicity. Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren have been showing the world how it's done for decades, and who are we to argue with these American greats?




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