It isn't Summer until it's July the 4th!

By Laura Medina

A pair of Franklin + Gower swimtrunks doing a backflip.

On July the 4th, we celebrate what's good and fun and great about America.

The French art book company, Assouline, celebrates American heritage and culture...and style, of course,...in three of its Summer time offerings.

" Coca-Cola, the Book", profiles the art, advertisement, and how it both influence and transforms, not just American culture, but how it spread this nation's image throughout the globe.

A pictorial history of twentieth-century Americana. In tune with today, you can also down the book's app.

If it took nearly a hundred years for Coca-Cola to define American culture, the Council of Fashion Designers of America's "American Fashion Travel," spotlights current members' favorite places and their travel essentials for packing. An inspirational scrapbook.

It isn't Summer unless we have eye candy, whether it's on the sands or in the pages or both.

If you follow the seasons, you know Summer means hitting particular festivals and parties at certain spots, such as the Hamptons. Let "Hamptons Gardens" bring the ripe blooms to you in the comfort of your own air-conditioned room.

Traveling aboard or trekking within the country or for a few miles, it isn't complete until you pack a couple of boardshorts and swim trunks.

Franklin + Gower keeps it lean, mean, fun, and functional with its latest addition to its collection.

Elastic, pull-string cord at the waist. Waterproof fabrics and ribbon piping, the brand with preppy roots has grown into a retro-All American style with a dash of dapperness. Franklin+Gower remedy the imfamous American baggy sloppiness then refined the floppy boardshorts into objects of sleek and lean and clean while bringing back Americana sportiness.

Now, celebrate July the 4th, drink Coca-Cola, grab some travel ideas from Assouline then surf in Americana Franklin+Gower swim trunks.