This summer, I decided to follow my childhood dream of working at the Lilly Pulitzer signature store In the Pink on Newbury Street in Boston. What isn’t there to love about this brand? The beautiful colors, dresses, designs. The cross between preppy and high-end resort. Last but NOT least, the precious mommy and me matching outfits. June 21st is National Wear Lilly Day, and in honor of this awesome day, I want to share a little bit about what I’ve learned about the brand, the women, and the merchandise. Basically, reasons why to fall in love with LP:
- LILLY PULITZER HERSELF! If you don’t know the story behind who this incredible role model is you’re missing out on some serious badass inspiration. Lilly Mckim grew up in New York and attended school with her good friend Ms. Jackie Kennedy, future first lady. After school Lilly spent time out west to kentucky working for the Frontier Nurses Service.When Lilly was 21 her and Peter Pulitzer (grandson of Joseph Pulitzer who founded the Pulitzer prize) broke all the rules and eloped. Shortly after, the couple settled in Palm Beach, Florida. This is a lot of information, so to summarize Lilly went from socialite to free spirit to rule breaker all before she was 21. Although the two didn’t have formal wedding celebrations they hosted countless wild and grand parties to make up for it. Think Great Gatsby with a Lilly Pulitzer twist. How did the clothes come to be you may ask? Lilly Pulitzer opened a juice stand which inspired her designs and before long she was selling more than just juice. If you were a lady of Palm Beach at the time this was all the rage to wear to parties, dinners, etc. Friend, Jackie Kennedy as mentioned earlier started wearing her “Lilly’s” more and more which attributed to the fame of the style. So Lilly started opening stores all over the place wherever she had friends who wanted them there and knowing the gal she was, the brand grew fast this way. If I’m ever a slice of who LP was I’ll live a good life! Always strive to be the girl to beat the boys at beer pong and know the taste of a good white wine because that’s who she was!
- The stores. Shopping at a Lilly Pulitzer store, or signature store, is an experience in itself. The staff is trained to be friendly, spirited and devoted to customer service. While working, we are taught to perform, stay in character and never turn our backs to the audience (customers). The phrase, “Woah it’s so bright in here,” I hear at least three times a shift. The atmosphere of an LP store is a reflection of the atmosphere at Lilly’s parties. If you want to be part of the LP movement, still going strong almost 60 years later, all you have to do is walk into the stores.
- The clothes aren’t for everyone. To wear Lilly Pulitzer, you have to be bold and daring enough to be the hottest and most confident girl in the room. This is a lot of pressure to put on yourself 24/7. Some people simply can’t handle it, and that’s okay!
I sound like I am being paid for marketing by the corporation but I’m not! There is so much to love about the LP family, and there is a reason the brand has made it this far, starting with one bad-ass woman.
