Americana

I took my own styling advice from last week; I believe my exact words on one of my favorite looks were "there are few ensembles I love more in fashion than a simple, sexy bikini and gold layered chains. Interchange accessories--a red lip, a big sun hat, a fantastic pair of statement sunglasses--and you have won me." You could even say I was probably inspired by Meredith of The Parent Trap, the infamous intended step-mother to Hallie and Annie, and well, you wouldn't be wrong.

I also found this gingham two piece at Target and I feel like it completes the look I was going for here.

I don't celebrate the Fourth of July (shoutout to Juneteenth) for many reasons, the foremost being that the holiday is not my own. As a black American and West Indian person, my 'independence' is something completely separate from that of this country and those whose interests or rights it upholds.

This post is titled Americana, though, because I felt like I was tapping into a classically "American" aesthetic with gingham, red lipstick, even down to the beach and watermelon. It's interesting in that way because Americana/classic popular culture of this country is and has always been one of my most complicated interests. Facets of it have undoubtedly harmful ties to Americanness, yet the idealism, aesthetics, and inherent stories behind what we consider to be "americana" make for some of my favorite parts of history.

Plus, like, fireworks.

What I'm Wearing
gingham bikini: Target / straw beach hat: Forever 21 / on my lips: Wet N Wild Megalast Lip Color in Red Velvet