"Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink." - quote from Lilly Pulitzer.
Text and image via Lilly Pulitzer website.
On April 19, 2015, the Lilly Pulitzer Collection for Target will be available online and in stores. Lilly Lee McKim Pulitzer Rousseau, who died on April 7, 2013 at the age of 81, was born to great privilege as the grandchild of one of the founders of Standard Oil. Although she attended Miss Porter's School with Jacqueline Kennedy and her sister Lee Radziwill, she disliked college and left after only two months. She worked as a nurse's aide and later eloped - at age twenty-one - with Peter Pulitzer of the famed journalistic family.
Peter Pulitzer and Lilly Pulitzer in Palm Beach, Florida, 1955.
Photo by Slim Aarons.
Image from Getty Images via Pinterest.
You've heard the saying - When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. After Lilly Pulitzer suffered a "nervous collapse," the doctor told her she needed something to do. She had had three children in four years, her marriage was "driving me crazy," and she told Vanity Fair ("Palm Beach's Barefoot Princess," February 2003), "I had never had one responsibility in my life." Peter Pulitzer owned orange groves, so Lilly began to sell citrus.
Lilly Pulitzer.
Image via Pinterest.
Lilly, who was known for walking barefoot down Worth Avenue, needed comfortable clothing to conceal the juice stains from her citrus business. She asked a seamstress to create a practical outfit, and the Lilly shift dress was born. After Lilly's school friend Jacqueline Kennedy wore one, demand for the dress exploded.
Jacqueline Kennedy wearing Lily Pulitzer.
Image via Pinterest.
Lilly Pulitzer in her store.
Image via Lilly Pulitzer website.
"The Lilly shift was liberating to Palm Beach residents. Sleeveless, collarless, ever so slightly skimming the body (perfect for hiding those 'gin bellies') - it was a welcome change from the wound too tight dresses and gloves they were accustomed to (Ahhh... a collective sigh was let out)." - Text via Lilly Pulitzer website.
"Lilly disembarking from Peter's plane with fabrics in her arms, circa 1965."
"The Spring Social Season is Now in Full Flight"
New York Social Diary (April 8, 2013).
The Official Preppy Handbook edited by Lisa Birnbach (Workman Publishing, New York, 1980).
Image via Amazon.
The Official Preppy Handbook, which was published in 1980, described the appropriateness of the Lilly beach dress:
For having lunch on the terrace at the club, when something is needed to put on over the bathing suit, What could be cuter than a Lilly print cover-up, with monkeys drinking champagne or elephants dancing the fox-trot, in brilliant unnatural colors?
Peter Pulitzer and Lilly Pulitzer in Palm Beach, Florida, 1955.
Photo by Slim Aarons.
Image from Getty Images via Pinterest.
You've heard the saying - When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. After Lilly Pulitzer suffered a "nervous collapse," the doctor told her she needed something to do. She had had three children in four years, her marriage was "driving me crazy," and she told Vanity Fair ("Palm Beach's Barefoot Princess," February 2003), "I had never had one responsibility in my life." Peter Pulitzer owned orange groves, so Lilly began to sell citrus.
Lilly Pulitzer.
Image via Pinterest.
Lilly, who was known for walking barefoot down Worth Avenue, needed comfortable clothing to conceal the juice stains from her citrus business. She asked a seamstress to create a practical outfit, and the Lilly shift dress was born. After Lilly's school friend Jacqueline Kennedy wore one, demand for the dress exploded.
Jacqueline Kennedy wearing Lily Pulitzer.
Image via Pinterest.
Image via Lilly Pulitzer website.
"The Lilly shift was liberating to Palm Beach residents. Sleeveless, collarless, ever so slightly skimming the body (perfect for hiding those 'gin bellies') - it was a welcome change from the wound too tight dresses and gloves they were accustomed to (Ahhh... a collective sigh was let out)." - Text via Lilly Pulitzer website.
"Lilly disembarking from Peter's plane with fabrics in her arms, circa 1965."
"The Spring Social Season is Now in Full Flight"
New York Social Diary (April 8, 2013).
Image via Amazon.
The Official Preppy Handbook, which was published in 1980, described the appropriateness of the Lilly beach dress:
For having lunch on the terrace at the club, when something is needed to put on over the bathing suit, What could be cuter than a Lilly print cover-up, with monkeys drinking champagne or elephants dancing the fox-trot, in brilliant unnatural colors?
"Lilly Pulitzer at a pool party, Palm Beach, Florida, April 1961."
Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images.
"18 of the Most Classic Slim Aarons Photos of All Time"
"Rose Kennedy and her grand-daughter Kathleen Kennedy in matching Pulitzer shifts: proof that Lillys look lovely on all generations."
From A.P. Photo.
"[Wendy] Vanderbilt (right) and another woman wearing Lilly Pulitzer dresses in Palm Beach." Photographed by Slim Aarons in January 1964.
Photo: Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images.
"See Vintage Slim Aarons Photos of Lilly Pulitzer and Her Preppy Muses" by Charlotte Cowles.
New York Magazine (April 2013).
"Guests at the Palm Beach home of Mr. and Mrs. Ogden Phipps. Photographed in May 1970 by Slim Aarons."
Photo: Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images.
"See Vintage Slim Aarons Photos of Lily Pulitzer and Her Preppy Muses" by Charlotte Cowles.
"Vintage 1971 Lilly Pulitzer Vogue Magazine Advertisement"
Image from etsy via Pinterest.
Note the green-and-white Jack Rogers sandals in the above photo -
Custom green Jack Rogers sandal with white whipstich.
Image via Jack Rogers.
"Lilly Pulitzer Men's Whimsical Jungle Print Jacket c 1970s Size 41.
The unique summer jacket is designed with a bold print of exotic animals exploring through a vibrant field of tropical flowers. The menagerie of animals includes lions, tigers, horses, seals and dogs in an upright position wearing festive party hats. The collection of animals are concealed in the profusion of lush flower blooms. Lilly's name is hidden within the intricate bold graphics."
Image via 1stDibs.The unique summer jacket is designed with a bold print of exotic animals exploring through a vibrant field of tropical flowers. The menagerie of animals includes lions, tigers, horses, seals and dogs in an upright position wearing festive party hats. The collection of animals are concealed in the profusion of lush flower blooms. Lilly's name is hidden within the intricate bold graphics."
A closer view of the Jungle Print Jacket:
"Lilly Pulitzer Men's Whimsical Jungle Print Jacket c 1970s Size 41"
The unique summer jacket is designed with a bold print of exotic animals exploring through a vibrant field of tropical flowers. The menagerie of animals includes lions, tigers, horses, seals and dogs in an upright position wearing festive party hats. The collection of animals are concealed in the profusion of lush flower blooms. Lilly's name is hidden within the intricate bold graphics."
Image via 1stDibs.
"Secret? There's no secret . . . just have fun. Don't worry about every last little thing. Somehow it always works out." - quote from Lilly Pulitzer.
Text and image via Lilly Pulitzer website.
Text and image via Lilly Pulitzer website.
"Model Cheryl Tiegs wearing print shirtdress by Lilly Pulitzer, with sash belt, and espadrille sandals by I. Miller, with jockey, Laffit Pincay, at the Santa Anita race track, in California."
Photographed by Henry Clark, Vogue, May 1, 1971.
"Bright Spot: Remembering Lilly Pulitzer and Her Iconic Designs" by Lynn Yaeger.
Vogue (April 8, 2013).
The Official Preppy Handbook described the appropriateness of Lilly pants in 1980:
Perfect to wear for an evening picnic at the beach club, or for shopping in Southampton. In the suburbs, considered a bit exotic for everyday wear.
Perfect to wear for an evening picnic at the beach club, or for shopping in Southampton. In the suburbs, considered a bit exotic for everyday wear.
"Actress Diana Ewing, of Play It As It Lays, in the Pacific Ocean, wearing jeans by Lilly Pulitzer."
Photographed by John Shannon, Vogue, July 1, 1972
"Bright Spot: Remembering Lilly Pulitzer and Her Iconic Designs" by Lynn Yaeger.
Vogue (April 8, 2013).
A Lilly Pulitzer ad from 1968.
"10 Lovely Things About Lilly Pulitzer" by Leonora Epstein.
BuzzFeed (April 8, 2013).
"Lilly follows the sun to Jamaica"
Image via Lilly Pulitzer's Facebook page.
Lilly Pulitzer for Target Collection.
Photo credit: Lilly Pulitzer, Howell Conant.
"Lilly Pulitzer Dies at 81; Heiress Who Gave Elite Clothes a Tropical Splash" by Eric Wilson.
The New York Times (April 7, 2013).
Image via Pinterest.
The Official Preppy Handbook described the appropriateness of the Lilly Pulitzer bikini in 1980:
Her bikini is the ultimate swimwear for the young lithe Prep female.
Her bikini is the ultimate swimwear for the young lithe Prep female.
"Julie Foster in a Liza for Lilly Pulitzer twisted bandeau bikini."
Photographed by Stan Malinowski, Vogue, January 1978.
"Bright Spot: Remembering Lilly Pulitzer and Her Iconic Designs" by Lynn Yaeger.
Vogue (April 8, 2013).
"Button Down Shirt - Nosie Posey; Bandeau Bikini Top in Belladonna; Hipster Bikini Bottom in Belladonna; Charm Bracelet in Gold."
According to The Official Preppy Handbook (1980), "Prep women are modest. No matter how firm their figures, five years after marriage, they inevitably purchase the athletic, if somewhat sexless, one-piece bathing suit. This may be due to Mummy's urging that it just isn't right to wear anything a little more daring."
It's a good thing Lilly created cute one-pieces:
"Lilly offered a monokini for the Minnie set."
Image via Pinterest.
"Twist Bandeau Bikini Top - Fan Dance, Strappy Hipster Bikini Bottom - Fan Dance, Scarf with Tassels - Boom Boom, Seahorse Necklace in Gold."
Lilly Pulitzer Collection for Target.
"Lilly Pulitzer catalog in 1967."
"10 Lovely Things About Lilly Pulitzer" by Leonora Epstein.
BuzzFeed (April 8, 2013).
Lilly Pulitzer Collection for Target.
The Official Preppy Handbook described the appropriateness of Lilly skirts in 1980:
Typically, a golf skirt (above-the-knee length outer wear). No waistband and straight cut. It shows off those tanned legs to perfection.
Typically, a golf skirt (above-the-knee length outer wear). No waistband and straight cut. It shows off those tanned legs to perfection.
Lilly Pulitzer ad from 1978.
"10 Lovely Things About Lilly Pulitzer" by Leonora Epstein.
BuzzFeed (April 8, 2013).
"Model Lisa Taylor in a dress by Lilly Pulitzer."
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Vogue, May 1974.
"Bright Spot: Remembering Lilly Pulitzer and Her Iconic Designs" by Lynn Yaeger.
Vogue (April 8, 2013).
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Vogue, May 1974.
"Bright Spot: Remembering Lilly Pulitzer and Her Iconic Designs" by Lynn Yaeger.
Vogue (April 8, 2013).
Strapless Maxi Dress - Nosie Posey.
Lilly Pulitzer Collection for Target.
Lilly Pulitzer.
Photo credit: Handout.
"Lilly Pulitzer was the ultimate party girl - the one everyone wanted to be" by Barbara Marshall.
Palm Beach Post (April 7, 2013).
Lilly Pulitzer Collection for Target.
Photo credit: Handout.
"Lilly Pulitzer was the ultimate party girl - the one everyone wanted to be" by Barbara Marshall.
Palm Beach Post (April 7, 2013).
"I didn't set out to be unusual or different. I just wanted to do things my way." - quote from Lilly Pulitzer.
Text and image via Lilly Pulitzer website.
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