A Millennial and a Mid-lifer Style Lilly Pulitzer

My darling millennial friend Brittany and I were discussing what type of post we would collaborate on for the spring. We did previous posts in the fall titled: The Fall 2018 “It” Color and Millennial and Mid-Lifer Shop and Style Fall Fashion Trends

Since Brittany is an avid fan of Lilly Pulitzer and has quit the collection of all things Lilly, she suggested our collaboration! My wardrobe consists of two Lilly items both of which are way too big on me now. A good problem to have but resulting in no options. Brittany graciously allowed me to wear her clothes some even with the tags still on them…if you’re a fashionista, removing tags is kinda a big deal! Therefore, I tried them on without removing tags – LOL!

Who is Lilly Pulitzer?

FTF decided to do a little digging to find out more about the person and the line as my knowledge was very minimal.

Lilly Pulitzer speaks to generations of rule-breaking sun-followers who celebrate the spontaneous bohemian spirit of Lilly Pulitzer. The company’s effortless fashions are truly born from an original. It all happened by accident, when in 1959-ish Lilly (McKim) Pulitzer—a stylish Palm Beach hostess and socialite whose husband Peter Pulitzer owned several Florida citrus groves—needed a project of her own. With Peter’s produce, she opened a juice stand on Via Mizner, just off Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. Lilly Pulitzer’s business was a hit, but squeezing oranges, lemons, limes, and pink grapefruit made a mess of her clothes. Realizing that she needed a juice stand uniform, Lilly asked her dressmaker to design a dress that would camouflage the stains. The result? A comfortable sleeveless shift dress made of bright, colorful printed cotton in pink, green, yellow and orange. Although her customers liked Lilly’s juice, they loved her shift dresses. Soon Lilly was selling more shift dresses than juice, so she decided to stop squeezing and focus on designing and selling her “Lillys.”

Pulitzer’s clothing line got a big boost, though, thanks to a very fashionable fan—Jackie Kennedy. The first lady was photographed wearing one of Pulitzer’s polka-dot shift dresses during a trip to Capri, Italy in 1962. As Pulitzer herself said, according to Town and Country, the business “took off like a zingo,” after that.

Lilly Pulitzer became a fashion sensation and a creator of authentic American resort wear as we know it. The brand is now more popular than ever and continues to create authentic printed styles straight from the in-house print design studio.

Lilly Pulitzer Fabric Names

Lilly Pulitzer names her prints! I don’t proclaim to have a clue about the names of the prints we tried on, but a true Lilly fans knows them all! That would be my millennial pal Brittany! Here is a small sampling of the names and prints. Do you have a favorite?

Let’s Play Dress Up – Throwback

As a self-proclaimed fashionista since a very young age, playing dress up is just in my blood! My brother wasn’t left out either as I would dress him up as well! He’d probably die if he knew I was including this picture of he and I circa the 1970’s. Although there aren’t any pictures of me at a super young age playing dress up, I have fond memories of tea parties and dress up!

Dress Up with Brittany’s Lilly Pulitzer Collection

Brittany invited me over to her house one cold day in February to dress up in some of her Lilly collection! And she’s got quit the collection! I felt like a kid in a candy shop!

ROMPERS

Although these look like dresses, they’re actually rompers and have built in shorts! I usually have challenges with rompers being long enough for my torso, but this fit good and was very comfortable. The bright colors are so fun and scream spring/summer! Both these rompers would be cute with a sweater or denim jacket. Brittany and I are heel girls and like to be fancy but these rompers could also be paired with cute flats or sandals and dressed down. We like our bling and accessories!

Brittany recently vacationed in Florida. Lilly is the perfect vacationing attire especially warm, tropical destinations! Many consider Lilly the perfect resort wear! How cute are Brittany’s nails and her accessories?! I adore the bracelet with the bow!

SHOP LILLY PULITZER ROMPERS

Lilly Pulitzer Dresses

I loved the two dresses we chose out of Brittany’s collection! The quality, colors and details are amazing!

In all honesty, I was super nervous about fitting into this dress! I’m 5’8″ so the length is pretty short on me! If you’re as tall as I am, sitting and bending over aren’t going to work too well. This would be a standing only dress for me … LOL! Similar to sitting only shoes! Can you relate? On a side note, I surely could never go commando in a dress this length! LOL Apparently, Lilly was a big fan of going commando and designed her dresses so she could do just that!

We wanted you to see the really cute coral zipper pull on the back of the dress and Brittany’s fun wrist party of bling and matching coral on the bracelet!

How gorgeous is this Lilly maxi dress on Brittany?! This is a winner for sure! Brittany and Brad are such a cute couple! Plus Brad keeps my girl Brittany spoiled with Lilly! He’s a keeper!

SHOP LILLY PULITZER DRESSES

Lilly Pulitzer Pants and Vests

Similar to all of Lilly designs the pants are brightly colored fun prints! I’m beginning to see how one could easily become obsessed with all things Lilly! The prints and bright colors just make you want to smile!

How great that Lilly Pulitzer makes vests for those of us living in colder climates! Not sure of the material but these vests were super soft and the linings are great pops of Lilly colorful fun!

SHOP LILLY PULITZER PANTS

SHOP LILLY PULIZTER VESTS

Lilly Pulitzer Swimsuit and Cover Up

For generations, Lilly Pulitzer has come to represent the resort lifestyle for women of all ages, stages and sunny destinations. From Palm Beach to Nantucket , Naples to Kiawah Island, Key West to the Hamptons, Lilly Pulitzer is for you if your go-to mood is happy, colorful and free.  (Happy to say I’ve been to Nantucket, Kiawah Island and the Hamptons! Sad to say I wasn’t wearing any Lilly! Perhaps I should go back!)

Print is the magic ingredient that has always set Lillys apart. From the spill-proof days to today, whether you’re opting for a printed shift or a printed bikini, these custom designed patterns are unique, one-of-a-kind and entirely yours. Pro tip: you can tell it’s a true Lilly if you can find “Lilly” hidden in the print! 

And of course, no piece of clothing can put you in a festive mood quite like a Lilly! And how else do you want to feel when celebrating or vacationing?  Exactly. ( from Lilly Pulitzer Website)

Brittany looks totally adorable in her Lilly swimsuit and coverup! She is vacation perfection while in Florida!

SHOP LILLY PULITZER SWIMSUITS & COVERUPS

Lilly Pulitzer Tops, Scarves & More

Lilly Pulitzer has just about anything and everything you could imagine from tops, scarves, luggage, luggage tags, jewelry, sunglasses, etc. If you want it, I’m sure you could find it on the Lilly website!

SHOP LILLY PULITZER EXTRAS

Perhaps I’m late to the Lilly Pulitzer trend, but better late than never! I’m so grateful to Brittany for allowing me to play dress up with her wonderful Lilly collection and opening my eyes to a fashion style that wasn’t previously in my repertoire. I believe Brittany and I have demonstrated that Lilly Pulitzer can by styled by all ages – millennials and mid-lifers!

Let’s chat! Are you a Lilly fan? What’s your favorite item or favorite print? Leave us a comment!

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One of the links in last week’s blog post: (Stylish Monday Theme for March: Green)was broken for my stylish friend Nancy. I promised that I would include it in this week’s post. I hope you take a minute and check out this Dutch beauties sense of fashion! Link below her picture!

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