Summer in Lilly

I read an article earlier this week about why women love Lilly Pulitzer, and it reminded me of the countless conversations I had with friends during my time in LA. Los Angeles may be sunny, but the women at my school preferred muted minimalist fashion to bright Lilly prints. I’d walk into class each day and see a room filled with black skinny jeans, moto boots, and layer after layer of neutral-toned clothing. Needless to say, my colorful outfits, Jack Rogers sandals, and Lilly Pulitzer agenda stood out just a bit. Over the years, I tried to emulate their magazine-worthy style, but I never felt like myself in the trendy outfits I bought from LA boutiques. I felt like a girl playing dress-up in someone else’s clothes, and I’d grow tired of my purchases after wearing each piece one or two times. But then I’d open my closet, see a Lilly Pulitzer print, and a big smile would instantly be plastered across my face.

I love Lilly Pulitzer because their playful prints and classic cuts make me feel like the woman that I want to be. I want to live every day playing in the sunshine with an infectious smile on my face. I want my days to be filled with laughter and fun, and I’d rather spend time celebrating life with my family and friends instead of worrying about life’s daily stresses. Don’t get me wrong. I am a sensible and pragmatic person with two feet firmly planted in reality, but I’m also someone who’s learned that life is too short to sit around worrying about tomorrow. To me, the Lilly lifestyle embodies a woman living in the here and now, and that’s who I want to be. As Lilly Pulitzer herself once said, “these clothes make people happy. You feel happy wearing bright colors. It makes you smile. Who doesn’t want to smile a little more these days?”

While my Lilly Pulitzer outfits may have been a rarity in LA, they were right at home on my recent vacation in Rosemary Beach, Florida. I spent the first day of our mini-vacation in the , and I was totally in my fashion happy place. Between the fun and flattering fit-and-flare cut, this dress felt like it was made for me! The other thing that I love about this dress (and all Lilly Pulitzer designs) is that it was appropriate for every single activity on our vacation. I was able to go from brunch to the beach to a fancy dinner without feeling like I was under or over-dressed.

tThat’s another reason why I love Lilly Pulitzer: it’s appropriate for every occasion. For our second day exploring Rosemary and Alys Beach, I wore the with my favorite gold lace-up heels from Banana Republic (currently 40% off with the code BRSAVE + available in 3 other colors). This outfit is 100% me. It’s bright, cheerful, and just plain fun! While I love the cut of the dress and the cute lace detailing, the fact that it’s made in a print calledseals the deal that it’s a must-have item for any sassy girl’s wardrobe.

Thanks to these two dresses, my packing for this trip took approximately five minutes. Even though we had a variety of activities planned from morning until evening during our trip, I knew that my Lilly gear would be comfortable and cute all day long. I simply grabbed both dresses, , gold lace-up heels, my favorite Quay sunglasses, and a handful of jewelry and zipped up my suitcase. I honestly felt like I was in some weird alternate dimension because my husband ended up packing more clothes than me! Despite the short time planning my wardrobe, I received dozens of compliments on both outfits, and I felt confident in both looks. Ryan never says anything about my outfits, and he said (unprompted) that he loved my outfit each day of our trip. That’s HUGE coming for him.

SHOP THE LOOKS:

LOOK #1 (BLUE DRESS): (also available in So A Peeling) c/o | Jack Rogers Georgica Sandals in Platinum | Quay My Girl Sunglasses (similar pair available here for $12) | Kate Spade Love Notes Pave Bow Bracelet | Adia Kibur Pearl Bangle Bracelet c/o | Taudrey Gold Engraved Bracelet c/o

LOOK #2 (PINK DRESS): Lilly Pulitzer Rosemarie Printed Scoop Neck Dress in Flamingo Pink Don’t Give A Cluck c/o | Banana Republic Eryn Heeled Sandals (currently 40% off with the code BRSAVE + available in 3 other colors) | Kate Spade Love Notes Pave Bow Bracelet | Adia Kibur Pearl Bangle Bracelet c/o | Taudrey Gold Engraved Bracelet c/o

Whether you’re planning your summer vacation or just need to add a little bit of sunshine to your life, definitely check out the new arrivals at Lilly Pulitzer. I think that the new , Sienna Wrap, and Meridan Printed Wrap Dress are going to be my next Lilly purchases!

Why do you love Lilly Pulitzer? 

Photography by Rachel at The Southern Atelier