Lilly "Holy Grail Prints", etc.

In the secondary Lilly markets of eBay/Facebook/Instagram/Poshmark/ThredUp (which I will refer to as "The Lilly Community" for purposes of length), "holy grail" items are relatively agreed upon among these ladies. "Holy grail" items contain prints that almost everyone wants. They can attain HG status when they become sold out or long after they have been released. As far as I know, this is the first attempt for anyone to compile a list, and HG items are somewhat subjective, so I tried taking an objective approach and consulting others to make this list. Holy grail items are difficult to find and when they are listed, frequently attract buyers willing to spend a pretty penny to obtain their unicorn of a Lilly piece. Most recently, the "Written in the Sun" print from the Spring 2014 Lilly collection was able to sell on eBay for $250. These are $64 shorts, people.... That's nearly five times the original retail value! and include the following prints (in no particular order):

Dark N Stormy

As far as I know, this came in a worth shift, tote, men's tie and a Roslyn skirt.

Tusk in Sun

 

Came in a tank, Cassie dress, and Murfee scarf. Reprinted into a multicolor Murfette, Murfee, various Lifeguard Press items, and Elsa top and a navy and white Michele V-neck, Elsa top, Captiva tunic, and Eliza dress.

Let's Cha Cha (original)

 

Came in a Shoreline tote, Eliza dress, Cordon dress, Delia shift, floppy hat, popover, beach pants, beack skirt, beach shorts, Captiva tunic, and a Murfee scarf. Also appears in various lifeguard press items. Was reprinted in 2014 in a spa blue colorway that wasn't quite as popular.

You Gotta Regatta

 

Came in a shoreline plastic tote, men's shorts and swim trunks, a fabric tote, Callahan shorts, maxi dress and a few shift dresses.

 

Hotty Pink First Impression

 

Originally appeared in Babs wrap and a few shifts; has been made into various lifeguard press items and an Elsa.

Magenta Bazaar

 

Appeared only in a Dusk tank and an Elsa. Recent release so it's pretty scarce and tricky to find these days.

Written in the Sun

 

Appeared in a pair of Callahans and a few Minnie's items.

Swingers

 

Not exactly sure what all this appeared in but it's GORGEOUS and of course, a very rare find. Reprinted into wine glasses for holiday 2014 by Lifeguard Press.

Resort White Pop

Released in Sandrine and Lowe shifts, as well as a pair of Clifton sample shorts found at the Warehouse sale. Also can be found in Minnie's items. The blue colorway was also released but didn't fare as well.

Let them Eat Cake

 

Appeared in a Cissy skirt and shift dress, as well as Minnie's items

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Stuffed Shells

 

Appeared in a Worth shift, maxi and skirt; re-released in an Elsa.

Then there are what is considered by the Lilly community as "personal holy grail items". But let's not forget: while a holy grail can be a personal holy grail, a personal holy grail is not always a true holy grail. Personal holy grail items are prints or products that certain individuals are in search of, or ISO, for their personal Lilly closet. They may be popular prints or more obscure, whichever the individual desires.  More often than not, the price is considerably lower for a personal holy grail item as opposed to a true HG.

Here are some personal holy grail items as described by the Lilly community (again, in random order):

Pool Blue Southern Charm, released in 2014.
Came in a Briella fit and flare and a Braylen tunic.
Also released in Hotty Pink Eaton shift and Callahans.

• Hops N Pops
• Crème Fraiche
• Pool Blue Southern Charm
• Gimme Some Leg
• Lulu
• Bling My Chimes
• Loopy
• Summer Mix Tape
• Spin the Bottle
• Skinny Dipping
• Hotty Pink Lemonade
• Jungle Glam
• In the Beginning
• Fancy Fest
• Florida print
• Crown Jewels

Now, if you were to search any of the aforementioned sites  (except for Facebook, as you could expect for the ever-so-knowledgeable ladies of the Lilly community to come down on you like a ton of bricks for labeling an item you like as a "Holy Grail" when it really isn't one), you'll find that the use of "Holy Grail item" is painstakingly liberal (and that's an understatement). Seriously, for any Lilly lover, finding "Holy Grail" next to, say, a newly released print or a downright hideous one like Roar of the Jungle (just my opinion) is just as laughable as finding a listing for a Let's Cha Cha original item for less than $50 (while it happens, the offense is usually committed by a newbie to the secondary Lilly market). If you really want a good laugh, type "Lilly Pulitzer Holy Grail" into the search bar on eBay. Hilarious.


FREE SHIPPING THOUGH. L-O-effing-L!

This poses a few questions: one, who is buying an item at a 500% markup, and two, why are they buying it at such a high price? Some ladies do it out of desperation- they just love the item and are DYING to have it (full disclosure: if I had the money I would probably justify my purchase in a similar manner). Others collect certain prints/styles. There is a woman I have seen posting on a Lilly Facebook group who has every pair of Callahans ever known to be produced as of Fall 2014. On another group, a lady posted a picture of every style in which the print You Gotta Regatta is featured. Finally, there are the Lilly zombies who half-consciously roam the internet in the middle of the night because they are always, ALWAYS in the Lilly mindset. First thing they see is a charge on their bank card in the morning, followed by the delivery of a $300 shift dress they had no business buying in the first place! (I may or may not be speaking from personal experience).

What are some of your holy grail items, and how much would you pay for them? For me, it's the Dark and Stormy Worth Shift or the Fountain Hopping Delia, though I have many other pieces that I'd love to find from previous years at full price, or current season at less than retail :)