FASHION FILES : BROAD STRIPES & BRIGHT STARS

These are our 4th of July fashion picks for 2012:

Opening this patriotic post is the fabulous Catherine Malandrino Flag Dress (who cares if its from 2009? It's still cool). Give your look a splash of Americana with any one of these clutches including: the Lego Clutch by Arabag on Etsy, salvaged clutch by Totem and Judith Lieber's metallic chain clutch. 

For the gents we chose the cool and impractical (for the summer) Stubbs & Wooton Camouflage Velvert Slippers (at Mr. Porter), and always practical Converse Chucks. We are so feeling these Rag & Bone Checkered Shorts and the effortless Brioni Regal Stripe Shirt, also available at Mr. Porter.

You can turn your face into a canvas of allegiance or shop at Revolve Clothing for comfy tops that'll give your look just the right touch of patriotic tjuz. Swimwear is all about vintage this year. Fables by Barrie offers some amazing vintage red, white and blues for you to debut on the Fourth and continue rocking throughout this summer. 

Those are our COOL picks that will have you looking perfectly patriotic for the holiday and the Olympic Games. 

See more COOL features on our blog THAT'S COOL. Just click and scroll down. 

FASHION FILES : WHITE HOUSE RED CARPET

The 98th Annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner 2012 was the hottest ticket this weekend and the stars came out in their best runway looks. Politics aside, this was a real fashion showdown. Here are our fave looks: (1) FLOTUS The First Lady has never looked better in Naeem Khan, (2) Charlize Theron in Emilio Pucci, (3) Elle MacPhearson, (4) Kerry Washington in a gorgeously colored Calvin Klein gown, (4) Kate Hudson in Jenny Packham, and (5) Irina Shayk in a fab white jumper. The clear show stopper (besides FLOTUS of course) was Uggie, the dog from the movie The Artist. Pretty COOL of them to allow him on the carpet. Our dog Coco would look at that carpet and think it was the world's most ginormous peepee mat and go to town. We digress.

See more COOL features on our blog THAT'S COOL. Just click and scroll down.  

TREND TALK : GO BIG OR GO HOME!

There's nothing Tiny about the roses that rapper T.I. got for his boo, Tiny (Tameka Cottie), this Valentines Day. Ever since she tweeted the photo, the demand for 4ft-6ft long stem roses have grown significantly. Our guess is that the grand gesture will become a trend among love birds before we know it. Showing your love in a big way is always cool in our book. Place your order here or here before they run out... some providers have already sold out!