Celebrate summer by creating some new fashion fireworks with your wardrobe. Turn all-American favorites into your own independent style. Here are some updated ways to spark that patriotic spirit.

—Wear your stars and stripes. There are hundreds of ways to make waves this summer whether you're at the beach or a backyard barbecue. Take some inspiration from Old Glory itself. Stripes fly freely and stars shine brightly. In red, white and blue, they proudly blast their colors on hoodies, T-shirts and jackets. Try wearing them all in graphic abstract designs that pledge their allegiance to fun and funky. (Juicy Couture Stars & Stripes hoodie available at Kohl's.)

—Definitely do denim. Many of us depend on our blue jeans to get us through the week — or at least the weekend. In rolled up boyfriend styles, they are summer casual at their best. The darker blues may be a good way to do blue right now, in flared high-rise looks that can stroll right off the streets and into the office. (Some of the best flares can be found at Net-a-Porter.)

—Add some accents. Start with white. Wearing head-to-toe white is one of the year's biggest fashion trends. It's also an easy way to dress for a festive Fourth of July party. Just pull on white capris, a white tank or T-shirt and add red or blue accessories: a cotton bandana, a colorful pair of espadrilles or an oversized floppy straw hat. Then pack your bags and go! (Find roomy leather blue totes at Michael Kors.)

—Dress up your swimsuit. Got a red bikini? Take it from the pool to the party by layering on a long, printed, blue-and-white sarong tied around your waist. Add some strappy red thong sandals and a jaunty white fedora. Tres chic. (Check out Scoop NYC for inspiration.) Guys get in on the swim with board shorts decorated in stars and stripes. (Hang Ten swimwear available at Kohl's.)

—Max it out. Another big trend? Maxi skirts and dresses. You can find these in all kinds of prints and patterns. Scope out one that's long on style covered in giant red, white or blue flowers. Give yourself some real patriotic power! Maxis make great cover-ups for swimwear, too. (The halter navy and white ikat print halter maxi at J.Crew is a real winner.)

—Lighten up with chambray. Think navy is just too hot to trot out in the tropical heat? Why not switch to a lighter hue of blue? Tie a chambray shirt tied at the waist, paired with a long white skirt. (Anthropologie has chambray from shirts to shorts.) Or accessorize a chambray jumpsuit worn with red hoop earrings or a chambray jean jacket thrown over a pair of white shorts with an armful of stacked red bangle bracelets. Guys can team the chambray shirt with a crisp pair of white jeans.

—Loosen your buttons. Another one of summer's favorite tops is the oversized polo. This classic fashion basic can be found in a wide variety of colors, and, in the newer, looser version, it's easy to mix and match with other basics in your wardrobe. (Roll up the sleeves and pull on with jeans or shorts for laid-back Americana at its best, a la Ralph Lauren.)

—Don't forget baby. You may not be into wearing all those patriotic colors, but it's easy to dress up the kids in red, white and blue hues. Again, think star-spangled rompers — those one-piece wonders that will brighten up your family pictures for years to come. (Check out The Heritage Collection for kids at OshKosh.)

—Slip into some happy feet. Your feet deserve to get into the holiday spirit, too. From canvas sneakers to rubber flip flops decorated in USA colors, there are plenty of ways to march to the beat of spirited American style. (Patriotic red, white and blue designs fire up Chuck Taylor's sneakers at converse.com)

Celebrate patriotic summer style with Juicy Couture's Stars & Stripes Hoodie, available at Kohl's.

To find out more about Sharon Mosley, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.