When you want the best 4th of July look, don’t make the mistake of thinking that the stars and stripes can fix any style mistakes. Whether you’re going for a more elegant look or a barbecue or beach outfit, check out a few tips that can help guide you in the right direction.

With the help of these 4th of July outfit ideas and tips, you’ll be able to pull off a glamorous and patriotic look, that’s perfect for any Independence Day party, whether it’s outdoors or indoors... until the fireworks.

Don’t Limit Yourself to Red, White and Blue

One of the biggest fashion mistakes you can make when getting ready for a 4th of July party is sticking to a restrictive color palette. Yes, red, white and blue are a great fit for Independence Day, but limiting yourself to just these three colors plus neutrals is something that many women will do. Stand out and be daring with your color choice, while also including these colors in your look.

Don’t Overdo the Flag Motif

While a simple and effective choice would be to get an American flag top or bottom, that’s not really a fashion-forward look. Stick to a single flag or reinterpret the stars and stripes according to your own style. White polkadots on a blue background can symbolize the stars, while the touch of red could simply come from a bold lip color.

Lose the Heels

Unless you’re going to a really fancy Independence Day party, say no to heels. One of the most important 4th of July outfit ideas and tips is to make sure you’re dressing the right way for how you’ll be celebrating. Flats are a good choice for going to the beach or an outdoors party, but if you need a little height, go for cool summer platforms, not heels.

Don’t Forget the Sunglasses

The right pair of shades can completely transform your summer look for Independence Day. Go for a classic shape like aviators or for the trendy look of the season, exaggerated wayfarer sunglasses. You can even use your sunglasses as the key accessory, if you get the right pair, with an American flag motif.

Keep Accessories Simple

Don’t be tempted to over-accessorize. One of the best 4th of July outfit ideas and tips is to keep accessories to a minimum if you’re not opting for a strong look. You can go dramatic for a big event, but if you’re spending the day at a garden party or outdoors, don’t overwhelm your outfit with too many accessories. Simple and sweet works well for Independence Day.

Go for the Varsity Vibe

If you’re looking for a classic American look, a Varsity inspired look might be the perfect fit for the 4th of July. Stick to varsity jackets or tops, paired with a cute skirt or bottom and complete your outfit with white plimsolls. A ponytail could also work great with your look, but don’t go too far into cheerleader territory with your appearance.

Try a Patriotic Accessory

If you’ve already decided what you’re wearing and there’s no red, white or blue in your look, spruce it up with a cute patriotic accessory. Don’t limit yourself when it comes to the right accessories that go with 4th of July outfit ideas and tips. A flag pin is a classic choice, but a cute wide-brimmed hat or a flag clutch can be just as effective for your Independence Day outfit.

Pair Your Look with a Golden Glow

Whatever you decide to wear for your 4th of July party, get a golden glow that will make white outfits pop even more. If you’re looking to avoid self-tanners, simply get the right glow with a powder or liquid bronzer.

Stick to Fabrics that Work for Summer

If you’re planning to spend the day outdoors in hot weather, one of the best 4th of July outfit ideas and tips is to choose your fabrics wisely. From cotton and silk to other cotton weaves like chambray or seersucker, make sure that your outfit is breathable. Denim short shorts might be a classic, but they’re not always the right choice.

Don’t Forget the Sunscreen

Once you’ve used our 4th of July outfit ideas and tips to get the perfect look, don’t forget the most important element of the preparation process. If the party starts in the afternoon, don’t leave your sunscreen behind.

Today is the start of London Collections: Men. It's the fifth time that London has presented a stand-alone fashion week for men, cramming almost 70 shows and presentations into three days. It isn't just about showing what British designers have to offer, though. This time around, Italian label Moschino (helmed by the American designer Jeremy Scott) has elected to show its menswear in London, and Scott joins fellow American Tom Ford and a welter of homegrown names including Burberry Prorsum and Alexander McQueen. The visibility of London's menswear showcase is fast rising.

What is it that makes London menswear so appealing? Its comparative youth, for a start: Milan and Paris have been showing menswear separately from their women's collections for more than 15 years. The status as a fresh newcomer of London Collections: Men is mirrored in its designers, whose ages hover somewhere around 30.

JW Anderson, newly appointed head of Loewe, reaches that milestone this year; new talent Craig Green, who shows his hotly anticipated show tomorrow, is 27; while the inaugural winner of the BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund, Christopher Shannon, is only 33.

Compare that with the stalwarts of Milan and Paris: Giorgio Armani is 79, Dries Van Noten 56. Even Hedi Slimane – a champion of youth fashion – clocks in at 45. London menswear is showing the world something new.

That newness is vital. "Fashion is reaction. It's about what people are talking about, what happened last season," says the designer Jonathan Saunders. "If you're going to make a man go into the shops and buy something new every season, then newness is important."

JW Anderson agrees … in a way. "You need to make sure 35 per cent of the collection is something you're not comfortable with," he says. "If you're comfortable, it's stale."

Stale is a word that is often applicable to menswear – where, even at designer level, there is reliance on the tailored suit and casual basics including chinos, cotton shirts and sweaters, which demand little or no design input.

If designers in Milan and Paris can be relied upon to deliver their aesthetic tropes (Armani's relaxed, neutral tailoring, Cavalli's glitzy look), then London has gained a reputation for bucking trends and spearheading new movements – the resurgence of luxury sportswear, for example, which can be traced back to designer Kim Jones 10 years ago. Jones is now men's style director of Louis Vuitton.

The presence of those emerging young designers has enticed more established brands to show in London. Both McQueen and Burberry previously presented their clothes in staid Milan, before joining the London showcase last year in January and in June, respectively.

What is London's pull for those mega-brands? It's the same as it is for press and buyers – the latter increasing 30 per cent year on year, and from 33 countries: the promise of something fresh and exciting.

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The Fall II/ Holiday Los Angeles Fashion Market will take place from Sunday - Wednesday, June, 8-11, 2014, at the California Market Center (CMC) on 9th and Main in Downtown LA. Show hours are from 9a-6p daily.

Although showrooms will be open starting Sunday of LA Fashion Market, SELECT Contemporary Tradeshow and TRANSIT Footwear & Accessories Show will run Monday - Wednesday, June 9-11, 2014. Show hours for SELECT will be 9a-5p, Monday and Tuesday, and 9A-4P on Wednesday. Hours for TRANSIT will be 10a-5p, Monday and Tuesday, and 10A-4p on Wednesday.

In addition to the well-established resources already at the CMC, many new lines and showrooms will be debuting this Market. These include: Sandra and Minnie, Red Wagon Baby, La Chic Embroidered Designs, Zigi Soho, London Trash, Ken Abbott, Emperia Handbags, Billy Narvida, YNTJ, Woon Sik Kim, Cooper 9, William Kim, Amethyst, Belford, Hail3y:23, Jana Sweaters, Halladay, Native Shoes, W5 Concepts, Klist, Sweet Rain Apparel, Skylton, Moss/Jang, Proper Brands Showroom, One Ten Sales, RadYo!, The Pothead Diaries, Wild Rose Apparel, Cool-G, Mila Designs and many more.

"As a former model, I have many memories of coming to the CMC to do showroom fittings and to meet clients," says Dustin Moss of new showroom Sweet Rain Apparel. "This was where I began working in LA, so it was a comfortable fit to want to return here to continue the process for the next generation. I'm looking forward to seeing how the LA Market has progressed over the years and am extremely happy to be part of the CMC."

Sweet Rain Apparel is just one of the several new showrooms opening on 5B. Showrooms featuring some of the best Young Contemporary lines in LA continue to emerge and transform 5B into a destination for this highly sought after category. Skylton, a denim line from France, who took part in last Market's Fre(n)sh Fashion Show, has opened their first showroom at the CMC. Also on 5B, Young Contemporary lines such as W5Concepts and KList represented by Karyn Kim have made the CMC their new home.

Running in conjunction with LA Fashion Market, SELECT Contemporary Tradeshow and TRANSIT Footwear & Accessories Show will introduce a wide variety of exhibiting brands. Monday - Wednesday, June 9-11, SELECT will be held in the Fashion Theater located in the Main Lobby, while TRANSIT will be held on the 13th Floor Penthouse.

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More than 85 childrenswear, menswear and womenswear designers showcased their latest collections at the just held seventh edition of Fiji Fashion Week.

The catwalk event kicked off with an exclusive Resort Wear Design Show which featured haute couture resort collections from nearly 13 designers. Local design name Sonam Sapra opened the night with her print heavy Intimate Fiji collection, inspired from the beautiful third largest Fijian island Taveuni.

In addition to Sapra’s nature influenced line, other names like Sarah Jane, Robert Verebasaga and Mere Shuster, Hupfield Hoarder, Lana Smith, Hanna Hering and Benjamin Schetrit and Failepou Peni also displayed their latest resortwear looks.

Famous home grown talent Robert Kennedy presented his Salusalu collection under the event’s Established Designers’ showcase. Infused with tropical vibes and 1960-esque Italian styles, the range included hooded caftans, capes and little dresses for women and stylish shirts for men.

Designer Michael Mausio’s Essence of the Pacific range featured an extremely elegant minimalistic line, comprised of tie-and-dye brown jeans and couture dresses, while fashion talent Rachel Fairfax staged a paradise like catwalk show with a muted and bold toned beach printed collection at the glamorous soiree.

The well-known clothing label Mena displayed its latest Pacific-inspired Return to Paradise line at the glitzy fashion event. Decorated with Tapa prints and flowers, the collection featured dresses with asymmetrical necklines, tunics, midis and sheaths for women as well as the traditional island printed Bula shirts for men.

Apart from the style studded runway parades, the Fijian soiree also hosted muumuu (loose Hawaiian dress), sulu jaba (Pacific girl’s or women’s clothing), and Indian women’s traditional attires salwar kameez and saree design competitions.

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