Happy first day of summer! Time to bring out the flippy floppies, tanks, bikinis and sunscreen. If you live in Florida or another subtropical/tropical climate like myself, you have been enjoying summer all year, minus like one day when you experience the seasons of “fall” and “winter” in a 24-hour period of time.
Now, what to wear to celebrate the summer solstice…hmm. This is the day and ideal season to celebrate rocking the brightly colored, festive and preppy patterns of the Palm Beacher, Lilly Pulitzer. In honor of National Wear Your Lilly Day (June 21) here are some Palm Beach worthy facts to throw around at the next Junior League social, Polo Match or Sunday brunch and other venues when Lilly is appropriate, which is always.
- Her nickname – “Queen of Prep.” Can’t argue that one.
- Life magazine called her the “barefoot tycoon” since shoes were optional with her looks. Perfect for the beach life of Florida.
- She went to school with Jackie Kennedy at Miss Porter’s School in CT.
- Wearing Lilly to Polo matches makes total sense as she was the daughter of a well-known horse racing fam.
- She had two sisters. Mimsy and Flossie. Looks like Lilly was the favorite child judging by her name. And we thought the name Apple was a bit odd.
- She was sent to a mental health hospital in Westchester, NY. She basically was told she was a spoiled Palm Beacher that needed a hobby.
- It all started with O.J. (the juice that is.) She started a juice stand just off of the (unaffordable) Worth Ave. She spilled juice on her dress and the rest is history.
- In 1959 Lilly Pulitzer, Inc. was founded and the fabrics were produced in Key West.
- First lady Jackie Kennedy was pretty much her “unofficial” spokesperson and turned Lilly into a national phenomena when she was photographed in a yellow Lilly dress.
- Lilly for the men? Yes. She had a line of men’s nightshirts called “Sneaky Petes.” Attack on her womanizing first husband there? I think yes. Wonder what patterns those came in? My guess is bowties, lots of them.
- Connection to the Pulitzer Prize? Yes. Her first husband’s grandfather established the prestigious award.
- Interns at the Pink Palace are called Pinkterns. What guy is okay with that!? And yes, they do have male interns.
- Despite being known for its prominence in WASPy areas, the brand nets over $100 million each year. That’s a lot of flower pattern power.
- See ya Later (Spring 1998), Jumbo Lilly (Summer 1998), Scuba Monkey (Resort 1999), Orange Blossom (Spring 2001) and Taboo (Spring 2003) have been some of the most popular prints. Want to see if you own one of the most popular prints over the past 16 years? See the rest here.
- She stayed, classy and fabulous until the day she died. Don’t think anyone can argue that. Wonder what her favorite pattern was?
How do you Lilly? #SummerInLilly
Compiled facts compliments of: Guest of a Guest, BuzzFeed and AARP Blog.
