Patriotic clothing may be synonymous with state holidays. But for those yearning to make an unforgettable fashion statement, these outfits are perfectly wearable on any day.
One thing that makes patriotic apparel worth adding to your wardrobe is that they’re suitable for every occasion. Whether it’s a corporate dinner, local festival, or beach party, patriotic clothing will make you stand out from the crowd.
In this article, we provide a detailed guide to styling patriotic shirts for men.
1. Know the Colors
Red, white, and blue are the three primary colors of the United States flag.
The first thing to get out of the way when trying to style patriotic shirts for men is to pick colors that blend seamlessly with this classic trio.
It’s also great to know that you don’t necessarily have to go for the exact shades or red, white, and blue as they appear on the national flag. You could opt for duller or more muted tones depending on the bottoms you intend to pair your patriotic shirts with.
2. Pick Either the Three Colors or Stripes & Stars
The three individual colors of the national flag blend to form the iconic stripes and stars pattern.
In fact, many patriotic shirts for men feature this pattern. It’s the defining symbol of pride and patriotism.
Unlike the three distinct colors, stripes and stars are mostly associated with nautical themes. But that doesn’t make it any less elegant. No wonder the pattern is common in many shirts, t-shirts, and even accessories like socks and ties.
3. Opt For a Layered Look
Donning a simple patriotic shirt is sure to pique anyone’s interest and make you the focus of attention. But you can do yourself one better by opting for a layered look.
A layered look will have your patriotic shirt as the most striking element in the ensemble. You can then compliment your look with a leather jacket or khaki jeans to add a dash of style to it.
Be sure to pick the right colors for your other outfits. If in doubt, insist on black for the leather jacket and neutral colors (preferably navy blue, ivory, and jungle green) for the bottoms.
4. Consider Similar Colors for a Uniform Look
Many fashion experts encourage going for different colors while trying to match your patriotic outfits. Most of them will advise picking brighter colors for the tops and duller or muted tones for the bottoms.
However, don’t be afraid to use the same color for both the patriotic shirt and your preferred choice of bottoms. For instance, you might try a pair of navy blue khaki jeans with an equally navy blue shirt.
This look may appear dull at first glance. But the flag section of the shirt will make a huge difference in terms of breaking the navy blue monotony.
If you’re averse to picking the exact color shades for your tops and bottoms, you might try different variations of the same color. For instance, a navy blue khaki and a sky blue pair of jeans would do the trick.
5. Experiment with Quirky Patterns
Choosing similar colors may speak to your sense of order and harmony. But it could also portray you as an overly conformist fashionista.
Why not take things a notch higher by experimenting with quirky patterns.
For instance, you could have your patriotic shirt printed in inverted stripes and stars, as opposed to the regular one where the stars are located in the upper left corner. You could also enclose the flag in a circle, polygon, or emoji; not the usual square shape.
6. Try Casual Layering
Patriotic apparel may effortlessly blend into any environment. But if you’re dressing for an informal event, your best bet is to try casual layering. This styling tip can improve your confidence while also imbuing a carefree aura into an environment.
The first step in achieving a laid-back look with this style is to choose a plain t-shirt that complements the colors of your patriotic shirt. Next, select a pair of denim jeans and large buckle belts. Complete the ensemble by adding a pair of matching boots and crown it all by leaving your patriotic shirt unbuttoned.
Note that this look doesn’t necessarily require a blazer. If you must have one, drape it around your shoulders as opposed to wearing it.
7. Short-sleeved Does It Better
Patriotic shirts are available in both short-sleeved and long-sleeved varieties. But if you wish to turn heads wherever you go, then you’d do well to opt for short-sleeved shirts.
You can choose to leave your arms exposed, especially during warmer weather. Alternatively, you could wear a long-sleeved base layer.
The latter option offers extra versatility. It allows you to step out in your patriotic shirt regardless of the prevalent weather.
You can have your base layer and shirt on in cooler conditions. And if the temperature gets unbearably hot, simply unbutton your patriotic shirt to cool yourself off.
8. Go Subtle On It
The fact that you’ve opted to set the fashion world ablaze with a patriotic shirt doesn’t mean the entire outfit should be so themed.
Having a shirt completely bathed in the stars and stripes may look cool in certain situations, such as patriotic festivals. But it can also be optically overwhelming to most people. Instead, consider subtle designs.
Subtleness means having only a section of your patriotic shirt styled in the relevant themes. The design should be small enough to accent the shirt’s main color while still conspicuous enough to stand out from other similar shirts.
9. Focus On the Collar
When we think of patriotic shirts for men, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is a plain shirt with the flag printed on a front section. However, this doesn’t have to be the case.
You could experiment with something more exciting, such as having only the shirt’s collar featuring the patriotic designs. There can never be a better way to draw attention to your upper body.
The best way to rock it in this look is to leave the entire neck exposed. That means avoiding a blazer, jacket, or coat. You might also want a brighter color for the shirt to accentuate its patriotic-themed collar.
Wrap Up
There are numerous creative ways to style your patriotic shirt. Since patriotic outfits blur the lines between casual and official, the idea is to choose a look that brings out the best in you while also allowing you to blend seamlessly into the occasion.
