Every Lilly Lover's Dilemma...

Before You Say Goodbye to Your Summer Lilly...

So long, sweet #SummerinLilly! Or maybe not?

When winter rolls around, every Lilly lover must face a common dilemma: how do I wear my spring/summer Lilly through the winter? Is it kosher to wear bright/white prints from the time everyone collectively trades in their swimsuits for their Maddie fleece coats? For those of us who wear Lilly religiously, we know that packing up that silky sea of resort white, spa blue, lipstick pink and new green can be as difficult as sending your first child off to college. So why should you do something so heartbreaking? Melanie and I have similar takes on the subject, which falls perfectly in line with Lilly's #Resort365 theme: BREAK THE RULES. Don't put the Lilly away (with the exception of your bikinis, those won't see the light of day for quite a while unless you're on vacay)!

How To Wear Summer Lilly in the Winter
One thing I love about Melanie is her willingness to experiment; she's a very adventurous fashionista! As the cold weather approached and inevitably set in over in Arkansas, Melanie made a very solid attempt at piecing together a few Lilly pieces for a complete winter-proof look. Of course, it's not my favorite outfit ever, but generally speaking she does a fantastic job at incorporating the nautical, overtly summery tones of Osterville patch with a pair of leggings, a Lilly striped Mariella sweater, navy tights to match her Getaway vest, and neutral tone boots to wrap up this warm yet very Lilly look.

We both recommend buying a Lilly vest and investing in a few solid-color pairs of HUE brand tights. While the vest is a bit pricey, you can layer it over your thin, cotton Eliza dress and wear a matching or neutral pair of tights to keep your legs warm. The Murfee scarf is another Lilly classic, of which you'll never amass enough. A silk-cashmere blend, Murfees are released year round, and compliment any outfit year-round. They can also be used as a pashmina to simply cover your shoulders over a strapless dress.





As our girl Lilly says, BREAK THE RULES! Photo courtesy of LillyPulitzer.com.

I'm sure most Lilly wearers can all agree that "don't wear white after labor day" is more antiquated than your great-grandmother's pearls. In this article, "What the Lilly Pulitzer Team Wears to Work", you'll see that almost every one of Lilly's leading ladies (and sole gentleman) interviewed at the Pink Palace says they subscribe to the ideology of wearing white year-round. As Lilly web designer Blair Billman explains, "I feel so pretty and feminine in white—definitely not limiting that to one season!" These are the people who are behind the bright and fun prints you know and love, so if they say it's ok to wear white, I agree with them.





For a winter white, Lilly in wonderland look, pair the Chrissy gold beaded cameo white shift dress ($298) with the Kent getaway cameo white quilted jacket ($298). Flawless, bold, and daring, this outfit is guaranteed to illicit the same compliments and Lilly essence as the most abstract, colorful summer shift. If you would like to add a gold accent, go for the new gold printed jacquard scarf (LillyPulitzer.com, $198) and the timeless gold resort wedge ($198, Lilly Pulitzer.com). Photos courtesy of LillyPulitzer.com.

Here are some of my personal resort white must-haves from Lilly:
1. Luxury Capris in cameo/resort white
2. Chrissy beaded shift dress in cameo white
3. Syd vest in resort white
4. Topanga lace dress in resort white
5. Gold and cameo white ottoman Brielle fit and flare dress

So how can you "pull off" wearing Lilly in the winter?

Photo courtesy of Lilly5x5 on IG

For one, be your Lilly loving self. You're confident enough to wear bold, patterned prints that rival the Easter bunny's delivery of candy stuffed plastic eggs on the color scale, so why should you abandon or neglect your favorite Lilly pieces in favor of drab, lifeless black all winter? Who cares if you stick out- you already do! So, you love the brand new She She Shells Janice you scored at an awesome price during the After Party Sale in August, but have yet to wear it? What's the harm in throwing a navy Amalie over it and heading out the door?

You're the Life of the Party: So Own It!
Regardless of how much of a rule-follower or conservative you may be, those who already know you probably love your livelihood and energetic spirit. Your wearing Lilly is apart of your infectious happiness and joy for life and all it has to offer. They likely unconsciously expect you to show up to an event in the dead of winter wearing Lilly's classic fashions, and just like Lilly herself, everyone knows you're the life of the party!