Yesterday was a big day in preppy fashion news.
To start, we learned that our favorite shop for monogrammed
cheese plates and horoscope candles will be closing all 11 U.S. stores and
shutting down its retail website by next week. Apparently, with the recent staff cuts,
store closings and huge sales, this came as no surprise to many. Pour one out
for C. Wonder. (In the mean time, take advantage of their 50% off everything
sale here.)
Then it was announced that Target’s next affordable designer
collab would be with preppy West Palm label, Lilly Pulitzer. Be still sorority girl hearts. Launching
on April 19, the 250-piece collection will feature women’s/girls’ apparel,
accessories, shoes and home décor in 15 original prints, most ringing in under
$30. (That’s cheaper than brunch.)
Lilly Pulitzer, the brand, is known for its whimsical prints
in vibrant colors. On the street, we know it as country club chic and Lilly --“The Queen of Prep.” The dresses are essentially written into our East Coast mental
hardware as being perfect for graduations and beach weddings. The mix of
pastels and palm trees has even surpassed apparel and hit everything from
personal agendas and cell phone cases to coffee tumblers and beach umbrellas.
It is instantly recognizable and apparently, also instantly judged.
Personally, I think this collaboration is a great idea. I’ve
donned a few Lilly frocks in my life and find the opportunity of bringing an
affordable version of these designs a smart move from both Target and LP. Snaps. Unfortunately, not everyone
shares my view on this. Blah, I wish I could sit on these people.
So many tweets with the hashtag #LillyForTarget state that
the late Lilly Pulitzer is probably rolling in her grave over this
announcement, and at the same time, I’m rolling my eyes.
“Sorry but @LillyPulitzer should not be sold at Target.
Sucks if you can't afford it but that's life.”
“Not happy about
Lilly being in Target! If you weren't classy enough to have it before, you sure
as hell aren't classy enough now.”
“I really only
liked Lilly because not everyone could afford it. Like. I don’t want to wear it
if my maid can too. #LillyForTarget.”
My God.
I
could step on you with my Jack Rogers. There is just so much no here. Since
when did class equate itself with having enough money for a dress? I can’t.
As we
move on, I’ll share a brief anecdote on how Lilly became Lilly. Though Ms.
Lillian McKim came from the upper echelons of society, she was no stranger to
hard work. Married with three children, the woman literally set up a juice
stand. A juice stand. She designed shift
dresses in intricate patterns and bright colors to camouflage the inevitable juice stand OJ
stains from her customers. As her shifts gained more popularity than her beverages,
the rest is history and Lilly Pulitzer became what we know today. (Read more
about her history here.)
According
to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, having class is “showing impressive
character : very good, kind, etc.”
Urban
Dictionary states that class is “a person who is poised, graceful,
mature, or exudes any of these qualities in dress, mannerism, language, and
everyday life. Possesses excellent self-control, is gentle, soothing, and
unoffensive.”
To my
aforementioned anonymous tweeters, let’s pump the brakes on our 140 characters
or less rants. We don’t want to be classless.
Here are a few shots from the up coming roll out. I'm looking at you, spring time bar cart essentials. See you April 19.
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