I sadly learned today that fashion icon Lilly Pulitzer died yesterday at the age of 81.

Lillian Pulitzer Rousseau (New York Times Obituary) accidentally created her iconic patterned shift dresses while running a juice stand in Palm Beach.  Lilly found a practical solution to a problem and the idea turned into something bigger than she could have anticipated. Her story is proof of the momentum that a small but brilliant creative idea can gather.  In need of something that would disguise juice stands, she created a patterned shift dress that quickly became a coveted item among the Palm Beach elite. 

Jacqueline Kennedy, an old schoolmate of Lilly’s, also helped the brand garner attention after she was photographed wearing Lilly on vacation, and later, in a Life magazine photo spread.  The simple shift dress blossomed into a full blown company, which today also sells clothing for men and children, accessories, and home goods. The 1980 “Official Preppy Handbook,” cited a Lilly dress as a must-have.

I purchased my first Lilly Pulitzer piece in college, in Kennebunkport, Maine, after receiving an introduction to the brand by the Lilly loving ladies at my liberal arts college.   I still have that shift dress today.  While my style has evolved since then, I still enjoy the whimsical prints evocative of beachy locales like Palm Beach.  My wardrobe contains several other Lilly dresses, cardigans, polos, accessories, and even a pink winter coat which has received more compliments than any other piece of clothing I have ever owned.  I purchased a white Lilly dress with the last money that my paternal grandfather gave me before he died.  I wore it to the law school graduation of my boyfriend at the time, my own law school graduation one year later, and even out for celebratory drinks on my wedding night after changing out of my wedding dress.  I will wear it yet again this summer.

Part of Lilly’s legacy is that she created clothing that countless women have chosen to wear for the special occasions in life and items comfortable enough to be worn every day.

Whenever I think of summer, I think of Lilly.  Whenever I pack for destinations like Florida, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C. in the summer, I always pack Lilly.  A piece of Lilly is a reminder to keep life bright and colorful and not to take oneself too seriously. 

If you have any personal stories about wearing Lilly, please share them.  The Lilly website is also accepting personal submissions. 

Links to Photos:  1, 2, 3, 4, 6