The gentleman’s guide to all-American style

From varsity jackets to high-tops, God Bless America...

July 4th is Independence Day in the USA, and there’s no escaping the festivities even this side of the Atlantic. We Brits embrace any excuse to celebrate – we’re still red, white a blue, so it’s okay – and today is no different.

Many stereotypes spring to mind when ‘American’ style is raised for discussion. For a country so vast, the number of Americanisms goes on and on and on – stretching so far past baseball, cowboys, burgers, cheerleading, Hollywood and white picket fences that it’ll be July 5th before you finish your list.

However – and this is whether or not you think we should be celebrating today or not – you can’t deny that America has graced the world with some of the most iconic and striking casual wear items in fashion. Think denim, varsity jackets, baseball caps and high tops. They are the kings of casual wear and, on days like July 4th, we are all for them.

Originating from workwear, this fabric is perhaps at the forefront of American style. Levis Strauss created the first true blue jean in 1873, and it has been evolving ever since. One can’t help but picture a young James Dean – the all-American rebel of the mid 1950s – dressed in his blue jeans and white shirt. And, style icon that he was, Dean has inspired everyone from movie characters to runway models in the decades since.

Don’t you forget about me the varsity jacket. The undeniable uniform of the high-school athlete, the jock, the heart throb, indeed whoever may fill the sneakers of the lead teen. This classic has evolved into a global icon of the wholesome all-American due to appearing in a crazy amount of cult teen movies – and would be a welcome addition to schools this side of the pond.

They may have a bad rep in the UK, thanks to yobs and youths appropriating them, but the humble baseball cap is fashion genius. Simple, effective, and with all manner of scope for personalisation, this is versatile headgear at its best – just ask Bruce Springsteen.

Sneakers come in all shapes and sizes, and whilst Nike and Adidas have the market all but sown up, Converse are worth a mention. The All Stars may have been designed to sink jump shots on the baseball court, but over the last 100 years these sneakers have been made world famous by being worn by all ages, for all activities and purposes. This all-American sneaker is called the All Star -because it is just that.

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