The Making of
a Style Icon
If you know fashion, you know Lilly Pulitzer—and you know its timeless, colorful shift dresses, which have been on the style scene for 65 years. This dress's story began with Lilly Pulitzer herself when she opened a juice stand in Palm Beach, Florida. She needed an easy shift dress that would hide the juice stains, and so the original colorfully printed Lilly Pulitzer Shift Dress was born. The more Pulitzer played around with vibrant patterns, the more her dresses gained traction with Palm Beach's fashion set. (Jackie O—ever heard of her?) Decades later, Pulitzer's legacy lives on in our sunny-day wardrobes. In honor of the brand's 65th anniversary, we're welcoming summer by styling the latest versions of this iconic dress. .
created with
Natalie Gray Herder
Fashion Editor, Branded Content, Marie Claire
We're seeing a resurgence of that iconic '60s coastal style that the Lilly Pulitzer shift dresses emulate so perfectly. Lilly Pulitzer is the 'originator of American resortwear,' after all. You can take so many styling approaches to the iconic Lilly Pulitzer shift dress. I'd wear the Mila Shift Dress with white loafers, socks, and sharp cat-eye sunglasses. I like to think of this look as a modern take on the classic retro style that all the Los Angeles style icons of the '60s and '70s wore.
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The second it became warm enough to ditch my jeans and trousers for a minidress, you better believe I did it. Lilly Pulitzer makes me feel like I'm on vacation even if I'm not, and I love bringing that playful energy to my wardrobe. I never want to sacrifice comfort, so the Edita Stretch Shift Dress is an obvious choice. It's so easy to move around in, and I know I can wear it no matter what's on the agenda for the night (dancing included). I think a blue and black color combo is really chic, so I would style the dress with black leather strappy sandals and a matching shoulder bag.
Michaela Bushkin
Fashion Director, Branded Content, Marie Claire
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The Lilly Shift is where it all started and where we continue to innovate every season. The classic shift was away from the body, a little boxy, lightly lined, and varying in length, print, and lace details. We have reinvented the iconic shift over the years with hints of stretch in various fabrications and offer shifts for every occasion that the day brings.
Mira Fain
EVP of Design & Development, Lilly Pulitzer
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Fun Fact:
The magic is in the designer details. Perfectly placed pockets, lace trim, accent bows, and varying prints from mild to wild make each version of the Shift Dress unique. Lilly Pulitzer is constantly modernizing this iconic piece, which now comes in sustainable materials.
All I wanted to wear as a kid was Lilly Pulitzer—I couldn't get enough of the fun prints. My stepmom always wore the brand, especially its tops and iconic shift dresses. And of course, I wanted to dress just like her. Now, I love to add bold colors and prints to my otherwise neutral wardrobe come summer, and this is the perfect look to wear on the weekend. The dress is cute and casual, especially when styled with white sneakers and a matching mini bag. I can walk around in this look all day and feel put-together but still comfortable.
-Michaela
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Ginge Shift Romper
$218
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Michaela's Styling Tip:
"I love the white embroidery throughout the dress and used that as my inspiration for the accessories. The white footwear, bag, and sunglasses allow the pink and blue shift dress to take center stage."
Edita Stretch Shift Dress
$298
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Mila Stretch Shift Dress
$228
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Edita Shift Dress
$218
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Sadie Shift Romper
$218
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Valli Shift Dress
$198
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Poppy Cotton Shift Dress
$198
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Cordelia Shift Romper
$198
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Del Rey Stretch Shift Dress
$188
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Lilly Pulitzer x Badgley Mischka Heather Sequin Shift Dress
$475
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Pearl Shift Romper
$218
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Mila Shift Lace Dress
$278
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Mila Stretch Shift Dress
$198
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Trini Viscose Shift Dress
$228
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Kailee Shift Dress
$178
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Ginge Shift Romper
$228
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Photography by: Gabor Jurina
Photography by: Gabor Jurina
Photography by: Gabor Jurina
Photography by: Gabor Jurina
The second it became warm enough to ditch my jeans and trousers for a minidress, you better believe I did it. Lilly Pulitzer makes me feel like I'm on vacation even if I'm not, and I love bringing that playful energy to my wardrobe. I never want to sacrifice comfort, so the Edita Stretch Shift Dress is an obvious choice. It's so easy to move around in, and I know I can wear it no matter what's on the agenda for the night (dancing included). I think a blue and black color combo is really chic, so I would style the dress with black leather strappy sandals and a matching shoulder bag.
Michaela Bushkin
Fashion Editor, Branded Content, Marie Claire
“
Photography by: Gabor Jurina
The Lilly Shift is where it all started and where we continue to innovate every season. The classic shift was away from the body, a little boxy, lightly lined, and varying in length, print, and lace details. We have reinvented the iconic shift over the years with hints of stretch in various fabrications and offer shifts for every occasion that the day brings.
Mira Fain
EVP of Design & Development, Lilly Pulitzer
“
All I wanted to wear as a kid was Lilly Pulitzer—I couldn't get enough of the fun prints. My stepmom always wore the brand, especially its tops and iconic shift dresses. And of course, I wanted to dress just like her. Now, I love to add bold colors and prints to my otherwise neutral wardrobe come summer, and this is the perfect look to wear on the weekend. The dress is cute and casual, especially when styled with white sneakers and a matching mini bag. I can walk around in this look all day and feel put-together but still comfortable.
-Michaela
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