PB Style Dish~Shift Dresses

Plenty of friends back in the mountains have been asking me about the style differences in Palm Beach. I've spent all summer watching and have begun to pull together a few "truths." I'll be sharing my observations over time. Today is a tribute to the quintessential style piece for women: The Shift Dress.

The Shift? What?

Shift dress became popular in the 1920's with flappers. They were easy to wear and accessorize while dancing the night away at the local "prohibited" watering hole.

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In the 1960's, Lilly Pulitzer elevated it by wearing colorful ones to hide the juice stains she attracted while serving her juice stand customers. (Made from the fruits of her husband's groves.) Soon, her customers started asking her to sell the dresses and, well, the Lilly Pulitzer fashion empire was born...right here in PB! {These are the kinds of things that mountain fashionistas don't usually grow up knowing.}.

Here are a examples few to wet your island-style appetite.

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I love this perfect example. It is graphic with slight tailoring and lovely detailing at the top. Take another look, do you see the sailboats? A brilliant touch, don't you think.

Next is a classically shaped "Lilly" featuring an updated fabric: daisy lace. It comes in white, turquoise, yellow and this hot pink. You can find it here.

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Want one, custom-made for you? and "green?" Check out this online shop, Wear the Shift. They specialize in shifts for "folks of all sizes" using "vintage and eco-friendly" fabrics. Hooray!

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How about crochet? So elegant.

You can see the image and buy the retro pattern pdf here.

I'd love to stick around but I've got some shopping to do. I'm off to C.Oricco. Palm Beach's Lilly Pulitzer Premiere Signature shop...I'll be sure to report back on that adventure soon.

Until next time, Eli