The Prettiest Thing You'll See All Day

[View on the web]( [Visit our site!]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( Feature [Your Stars and Stripes T-Shirt Technically Violates the Flag Code]( [Guy in a flag shirt]( Just two months after Abbie Hoffman and his Yippies protested at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, he shook the foundation of American ideals and patriotism again, this time with what he was wearing. To interrupt the House Committee on Un-American Activities in Washington — which had gathered to investigate the Chicago riots — Hoffman donned an American flag shirt. He is believed to be the first and only person to be arrested for wearing a flag shirt and charged with desecration of a flag. In arresting him, police ripped the shirt off his back. Nearly 50 years later, the American flag is plastered on shirts, bikinis, socks, election campaign merchandise, and party favors like napkins and plates. From politicians and baseball players to bikini-clad models and your cousin at last year’s Fourth of July barbecue, flag clothing is everywhere, and it’s become its own American tradition. [Keep reading >>]( [Insert alt text here] [Deal of the Day](#) Been keeping [Club Monaco]( as your closely guarded [fashion secret]( all this time? Sorry to blow up your spot, but everyone needs to know what’s an additional 30% off the already-reduced [end-of-season sale]( prices right now. The selection is stacked with pieces that include this [breezy handkerchief top]( for $48.30, all types of [shorts]( (from [scalloped and striped]( to [faux leather](, both now $41.30), wedding guest looks (like this [off-the-shoulder dress](, $97.30, or this [pleated strapless jumpsuit](, $139.30), and [floppy beach hats]( for $41.30. Don’t skip out on browsing [shoes]( and [swim](. [Insert alt text here] Ad from our sponsor In the News The Prettiest Thing You’ll See Today [Insert alt text here]( Photo: [@handinfire]( The haute couture shows taking place in Paris right now represent the height of elitism in fashion. Only designers that have won couture accreditation from France’s Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture via a rigorous assessment that looks at, among other things, the number of people working in their atelier and the sewing techniques that they use are allowed to show — though a few young brands are also invited to present work on a one-off basis. Rodarte, a guest on this year’s couture calendar, put together a [collection]( that will probably have you weeping at your desk in a few minutes. It wasn’t the clothes that were so magical (the clothes were lovely), but rather the baby’s breath accessories created by florist Joseph Free. The dainty white flowers peeped out of big gold clips and clung to rings and sculptural bracelets. They tumbled down models’ hair, and, tied together, served as frothy boas that wrapped around the models’ arms. One young woman dragged a giant bouquet of baby’s breath down the runway, a garden that had been pumped full of colorful flowers for the occasion. Coachella made flower crowns a symbol of self-promotional fun in a mass-produced landscape. Rodarte just restored a little wonder to the concept. —[Eliza Brooke](, senior reporter Shopping [What to Buy From the Barneys Warehouse Sale]( [Paco Rabanne bag]( There are a [ton of Fourth of July sales]( that are already in full gear, and one of them just so happens to be going on at [Barneys Warehouse](, which is where full-priced merchandise from the department store goes to live out the rest of its days. Clothes, accessories, shoes — everything’s marked down up to an additional 60% off, making things “cheap” in the world of Barneys, and “more attainable” for the rest of us. Because it’s a slow summer day, we’ve rounded up some of the best things to buy right now if you’re looking to kill time and spend money before the holiday. A suggestion: Sort by category, or by price, or by something, because otherwise you’re going to get pretty overwhelmed by all the options. For our list, we chose to focus on some of the best shoes and bags. [See our favorite picks from the sale >>]( [More Good Stuff to Read Today](#) - [6 Lightweight Sweaters to Wear in Your Freezing Office]( - [The July 4th Sales Worth Shopping This Week]( - [This Pizza-Shaped Bag Is Actually Gorgeous]( - [The Best-Smelling Candles, According to a Florist]( Did a friend forward you this email? [Sign up for the Racked newsletter](. Ad from our sponsor From Our Partners A selection from the editors at Racked [Alicia Vikander]( [This Dress Silhouette Is Pretty Much Magic]( Let us explain. [Read more]( [Rome]( [Win the Italian Vacation of Your Dreams!]( Enter our sweepstakes. [Read more]( Ad from our sponsor [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( This email was sent to {EMAIL}. Manage your [email preferences]( or [unsubscribe]( to stop receiving emails from Racked. Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2016. All rights reserved.