Lust for Lilly

As ladies of the south, we are all drawn to those vibrant colored dresses and the resort-ware attitudes that comes along with putting on a Lilly Pulitzer dress. Do you know how these beautiful and exotic printed dress came along? Here's a little history lesson!

Lilly and Peter Pulitzer were married in 1950 and the newlyweds ran straight to Palm Beach where they enjoyed the year round lush, tropical setting. After becoming terribly bored, Lilly decided that it was high time that she set out to try something new. What she settled on was selling fresh oranges from her husband's groves in Ft. Pierce, Florida. The orange business was very successful, and before long, Lilly was selling gift boxes of fruit. The only problem was that by the end of the day, her dresses were covered with splashes of fruit juice. It is said that necessity is the mother of invention, and from this aha! moment, a fashion empire would be born. The problem of the messy dresses was solved by having her dressmaker (how many young entrepreneurs have their own dressmaker?) whip up a few simple shift dresses in busy patterns colored just like tropical fruit juices.

Lilly Pulitzer was a woman who understood the power of special details; most of the patterns have her loopy signature hidden somewhere within them, and the dresses were finished with a customized hem lace bearing her name. Putting on a Lilly dress or skirt was like wearing your commitment to the good life, one filled with happy afternoons with children at the beach and cocktails on the terrace of the country club by night. It was more than just fashion – Lilly was a lifestyle. Indeed, the Lilly Pulitzer label has been worn by many well-heeled ladies, starting with those in Palm Beach, and then on to other preppy enclaves around the country.

Lucky for you ladies, we've got your lust for Lilly covered. Stop in and try on our fun prints and eye catching colors.

www.dressraleigh.com
pam@dressraleigh.com
919.699.6505

peaceandlove

Color Inspiration

With Easter just around the corner, the sky is slightly more blue, everything is in bloom and you can throw your tights to the back of the closet for next winter! The colors of your wardrobe get a little softer and you find your mood slightly uplifted. Time to venture into a girly trend, pastels!

Pastels and watercolors are a flirty way to launch your color palette into the Spring and Summer months. Wearing pastels is all about balance. Don't go overboard with the sweet look. Expand your options. A shear pastel top looks great with skinny jeans, or tucked into white shorts. If your are a little hesitant, try to accent your look with a light pink flower pin on your jacket. Another option is to pair your outfit with rose colored pumps. Almost appearing nude, you will be surprised how you can get away with this color! If you go for a pastel dress, pair with black accessories to offset. Black heels or a black clutch.

Those of you with fair skin tones...I know what you're thinking, "NO WAY!" Yes way! Lighter skin can still pull off pastels such as lavenders or sky blue. Especially if you have darker hair. Look at Anne Hathaway who doesn't shy away from the trend! Those with a darker complexion look brilliant in rosy pink, lilac and peach tones. Eye color can also determine the right pastel hue for your. Blue or green eyes, stick to sea foam green or light blue. It will be the perfect compliment.

So, will you be waring a pastel-something to celebrate Easter this Sunday? (Guilty!) Get to Dress to pick up your Easter ensemble!

www.dressraleigh.com
pam@dressraleigh.com
919.699.6505

peaceandlove

What to Wear to A Wedding

One of the most fun, and also the most agonizing parts of being a wedding guest is figuring out what to wear. Even if the invitation clearly states the dress code, it can be tricky to find an appropriate dress. Here are my suggestions for what to wear to every type of spring wedding.

Women should wear bright, colorful sundresses to afternoon or outdoor weddings. However, the skirt of the dress shouldn't be too full to avoid mishaps if a breeze picks up. Flat shoes work best for outdoor weddings as heels tend to sink into the sand or grass. Slacks and a nice blouse or lightweight sweater work for spring weddings occurring at any time of the day. Or, pair a nice short-sleeved sweater with a long skirt featuring a floral pattern. Formal evening weddings require something fancier such as a cocktail dress. Black is best for black-tie events, but deep purples, blues and burgundy are nice choices for formal evening weddings. You can wear light pastel makeup, even neutral tones or bright colored lipstick or eyeshadow. If you dress up the eyes, leave the lips neutral or vice versa for a balanced look. And let's be honest....your sweetie never knows the wedding dress code.

Here are a few tips for your man's attire. Casual spring weddings call for a nice pair of khakis or slacks with a buttoned-up shirt or polo shirt. Colors can range from white to various shades or blue or other bright or pastel colors. Light-colored suits in lighter fabrics are nice for semiformal or formal spring weddings, as are slacks and a nice lightweight sweater. Ties are optional for semiformal occasions, but they should be adorned for formal weddings. Black-tie events always include tuxedos, no matter what the season.

Dress has lots of formal, semi formal and everything inbetween dresses!

www.dressraleigh.com
pam@dressraleigh.com
919.699.6505

peaceandlove