I've read post after post about northerners being confused about the brightly colored, floral print dresses that we wear down south. I'll be honest, I moved to South Carolina in 2008 and had no idea who or what Lilly Pulitzer was. When you're born and bred in Indiana, Lilly is a name or a flower, not a brand lifestyle. Since starting college though, I have fallen in love with Lilly (to the point of obsession). 

I bought my first Lilly dress for the third round of recruitment my freshman year at the College of Charleston. I bought my first pair of Jack Rogers the same day. I really only bought the dress because I had heard rumors that "ADPi's only wear Lilly" and I had my heart set on that sorority. 4 years later, I'd now call myself an expert on all things Lilly P, and even got the "Most Likely to Take Over Lilly" senior superlative, an impressive accomplishment in a sorority known for their Lilly love. Just to further enhance your understanding of my love of Lilly, I just counted the number of items I own:

(This list does not include sorority items like bangles, makeup bags, dry erase boards, etc.)

Grand Total= 202 "Lilly's" and counting. 

Like I said... Obsessed. 

Here's a list Lilly basics that you need to know to survive in the south:

1. Lillian Lee McKim was born on November 10, 1931 in New York to a high society family.
2. She attended the Chapin School in NYC with Jacqueline Kennedy.
3. She eloped with Peter Pulitzer (grandson to the founder of the Pulitzer Prize) and moved to Florida.
4. Lilly went a little crazy and needed a hobby, so she opened an orange juice stand since her hubby owned a few orange groves.
5. She needed outfits to disguise the juice stains, so she had simple cotton dresses made out of bright patterns.
6. After receiving so many compliments, she began selling her designs at the juice stand.
7. Her designs sold way better than the juice, so she quit the stand and established her line in 1959.
8. Jackie Kennedy was a fan of the designs. She was photographed wearing Lilly, and Bam! A star was born. Note: Jackie's dress was made out of a kitchen curtain material.
9. Because of her high-end designs and clientele, she was named the "Queen of Prep."
10. After 25 years, Lilly closed up shop in 1984. 
11. In 1993, though, Sugartown Worldwide, Inc bought the rights to the brand and contacted Lilly to bring the brand back because they loved it so much.. Thank you, Sugartown! 
12. On April 7, 2013, Lilly died in her home in Palm Beach, FL at the age of 81. 
13. Each year in August, Lilly has an online Endless Summer Sale that begins promptly at 8am, which means your favorites will be gone by 8:15am. I suggest writing style numbers down a few days prior and ranking them based on what you absolutely NEED. Search by style number instead of browsing to save time. After you've secured a few picks, checkout, so the items don't disappear from your cart because they aren't yours until you've paid for them!
14. Lilly also has a Spring Warehouse Sale each year. Next year will be June 4-5-6, 2015 in Pennsylvania. Plan accordingly and prepare to camp out because this event is like the Barbie Black Friday! 
15. Lilly dresses are not only adorable, but they are structured perfectly so that you look fabulous from every angle.
16. OMG. And my favorite feature. Of my 41 dresses, I only wear a bra with 3 of them. This is the most incredible find EVER when you have giant tatas like I do, or even if your little girls want to breathe, too!  
17. Lastly, Lilly offers a catalog every season with previews of the newest prints. You want to subscribe, trust me! 

Loving Lilly is like being in a secret club. Whether your in the same sorority or not, you have sisters in Lilly. When you pass someone on the street wearing one of your favorite prints, you have an instant connection! It's magical, and if you haven't experienced it, I suggest you get to your nearest Lilly selling store and join the club right away!