LONG OVERDUE Featured Outfit: Kentucky Derby Attire

I have been so bad about blogging this year that I realized I never posted my Kentucky Derby outfit back in the Spring. So before summer and seersucker season comes to a close in a couple days, I'm going to share it now. Better late than never, right?!

Outfit Details

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer Adeline in Hotty Pink Lucky Seersucker (Spring 2012), Hat: Lilly Pulitzer (Gift with Purchase from Spring 2013), Watch: Michael Kors, Handbag: Tory Burch Classic Amanda Hobo, Shoes: Jack Rogers Bronze Navajos, Pearls

-Liz
xoxo

Seersucker Season

Tomorrow is Easter, which means it is finally okay to wear seersucker again-if you're a stickler on that rule like I am! There are still supposed to be a few more colder days Tues-Thurs of next week, but I'm hoping after that it will start to be consistently warm so I can wear my seersucker shorts and skirts a lot! Here are my favorite seersucker pieces this Spring!

From my closet (and currently available in stores and online):

JCrew Factory Seersucker Mini in Classic Navy
I got this last year and J.Crew Factory has brought it back this season!

Lilly Pulitzer Adeline Dress in Hotty Pink Lucky Seersucker

This dress was part of the Lilly Spring 2012 line and they have brought it back for Spring 2013! This was my Easter dress last year and I will wear it again for Easter this year since it will be a little too chilly for the strapless dress I originally planned to wear. 

J.Crew Factory 5" Seersucker Shorts in Neon Persimmon 

Looking forward to debuting these soon!

J.Crew Factory 3" Embroidered Seersucker Shorts

I love the super preppy combination of seersucker and embroidered lobsters as well as the color combo of mint and coral!

J.Crew Factory Seersucker Skimmer Pant in Deep Peri

I can't wait to wear these! They are super versatile and can be worn to work, on vacation, and on fun outings with friends.

And here are some additional cute seersucker pieces available from preppy brands this spring:

Lilly Pulitzer January Skort in New Green Lucky Seersucker

I love the pockets and the scalloped hem on this seersucker mini. It's also available in Hotty Pink Lucky Seersucker.

Lilly Pulitzer Buttercup Shorts in Flutter Blue Lucky Seersucker

This precious scalloped seersucker shorts are also available in Hotty Pink Lucky Seersucker.

J.Crew Factory Seersucker Pencil Skirt

This is the ultimate preppy professional piece and would also be great for church.

JCrew Factory Seersucker Ruffle V-Neck Dress in Neon Persimmon

This style is also available in blue ivory.

Vineyard Vines Seersucker Ruffle Wrap Dress in Breaker Blue

Vineyard Vines Seersucker Scallop Hem Margo Skirt in Bermuda Pink

This is a longer version of the January Skort by Lilly.

Vineyard Vines Patchwork Margo Skirt

This is absolutely adorable!

Do y'all have any of these seersucker pieces? What are your favorites? 

-L

xoxo

The Great White Jeans Debate

So we are only one week away from Labor Day, which marks the end of summer even though fall doesn't technically begin until the third week in September. For traditionalists like myself, Labor Day means time to hang up certain items of clothing until the following Easter. In the South it usually remains warm all the way through September, and even into October. Some of these post-summer days may even be downright hot. However, in my fashion rule book the following things are not worn after Labor Day, even if it's 100 degrees outside the day after:

• White jeans
• White shorts, skirts, dresses
• White shoes
• Seersucker
• Linen

As much as I adore my white jeans and my seersucker, after Labor Day they will remain in my closet until Easter 2013. I know there are people who disagree with me, who say that rules are meant to be broken. Just last week the Wall Street Journal published an article deeming white after Labor Day acceptable. Citizens of Humanity, one of my favorite jeans designers, posted their agreement with the WSJ on Facebook. No matter anyone says, I will continue to be an old-fashioned Southerner with respect to the "no white after Labor Day" rule. To each their own I suppose!

Although I am a stickler on the white/seersucker/linen rule I will continue to wear some of my spring/summer Lilly dresses and skirts until late September, as long as the print isn't super summery. One of my favorite things about the South is that the climate allows plenty of opportunities to wear skirts without tights, short-sleeves, and open-toed shoes for at least several weeks after summer's end. But at the same time the relatively cooler days in early fall enable me to incorporate certain items back into my wardrobe that are simply too hot to wear most days June-August. Be on the lookout for some upcoming posts about favorite transitional outfits!

How strict are you on the "no white after Labor Day" rule? Are there any other things besides white, seersucker, or linen that you don't wear after Labor Day?

Wore my white jeans this weekend-getting as much wear as I can at the end of the season!

-L

xoxo

Derby Dresses!

No, I will not be going to the Kentucky Derby this Saturday. I would love to go someday, although for the fashion rather than the horse races. I can always find an excuse to wear a Lilly dress, but there's just something about the idea of wearing a Lilly dress plus a big floppy hat to the Derby that sounds extra appealing. So in honor of Kentucky Derby coming up this weekend I am going to share a few sundresses that would be great to wear to the actual Derby, or even a Derby-themed party.

Lilly Pulitzer Brynne Dress in Worth Blue Sweet Daisy Eyelet

Very simple and classy. Love the eyelet material and the ruffle at the top!

Lilly Pulitzer Aleesa Dress in Hotty Pink Petal Pusher Lace

I love the pink color of course and the all-over lace detail! Plus the cut-out in the back of the dress (pictured below) adds a nice unexpected touch! 

Lilly Pulitzer Isabel Dress 

Seersucker is always appropriate for the Derby, and the embroidered horseshoes make this lovely halter dress even more so. Plus I love the lace applique detail at the neck!

Lilly Pulitzer Adeline Dress in Worth Blue May Flowers

This is a good option if you want to go for a classic printed Lilly dress. This shift style silhouette is the same as the seersucker dress I am wearing in my previous featured outfit post.

Lilly Pulitzer Ricci Shift

I had to include a classic printed Lilly shift in my Derby Dress line-up. I especially love the cut-outs at the neckline. 

Vineyard Vines Churchill Dot Dress in Blue Blazer

Although I first think of Lilly Pulitzer when it comes to Kentucky Derby attire, Vineyard Vines has been declared the Official Style of the Kentucky Derby and has created a Kentucky Derby Collection. This polka dot dress was featured in the May 2012 issue of InStyle. It is also available in Bermuda Pink, pictured below.

Vineyard Vines Sashay Carolyn Dress in Harbor Cay

Another piece from the Vineyard Vines Kentucky Derby Collection. The whale logo belt adds a lovely additional touch to a classic strapless seersucker dress.

Of course you need a big hat to go with your Derby Dress. Although I don't own one (yet) my personal favorite is the Marley Lilly Monogrammed Derby Hat. You can customize with different hat outline and thread colors. 

Click here to order

J.Crew Summer straw hat

Target Merona Straw Crown Floppy Hat

Target Merona Straw Crown Floppy Hat in white

(I actually have this hat)

Once you've picked out a dress and hat, shoes and jewelry finish the ensemble. For jewelry pearls in your ears and around your neck (depending on the cut of your dress) will suffice. For shoes, Jack Rogers metallic Navajo sandals are the way to go!

Jack Rogers Hamptons Navajo in Gold

Add good friends, a mint julep, and a smile and you should be good to go!

xoxo

Adeline Seersucker Dress

Since I had multiple people mention how much they liked the Lilly Pulitzer Adeline dress in my Seriously Seersucker post, I thought I would post a picture of me wearing it on Easter Sunday 2012. This dress is a classic and if it is on your wish list I highly recommend adding it to your closet.

Lilly Pulitzer Adeline Dress in Hotty Pink Lucky Seersucker.

Cardigan: J.Crew Jackie Cardigan; Earrings: Kate Spade Metropolitan Pearl Studs; 

Boots: Ariat Heritage Western R-Toe; Bag: Longchamp Le Pliage large tote

Seriously Seersucker!

So Easter Sunday was about two weeks ago. Of course the most important aspect of this holiday is the Resurrection of Jesus and the celebration of the hope and eternal life it brings. My second favorite thing about Easter is the fact that it marks the beginning of seersucker season! I am a stickler on the "no seersucker, white, or linen before Easter or after Labor Day" rule. Thus, it makes me happy that starting on Easter I can reintroduce seersucker into my wardrobe after 6-7 months of hibernation in my closet.

I was excited to wear my new Lilly seersucker dress to church on Easter Sunday. I fell in love with this dress the moment I tried it on and was very happy my wonderful parents got it for me as a birthday present. This shift-style dress is super flattering and fits the contours of the body perfectly without being too tight or restraining. And the ruffles at the neckline are absolutely precious!

Lilly Pulitzer Adeline Dress in Hotty Pink Lucky Seersucker. Spring 2012.

Then after I got home from church I changed into my Lilly seersucker shorts. It was definitely nice to be able to wear them again!

Lilly Pulitzer Callahan shorts in Hotty Pink Seerious Sucker. Summer 2010.

Here is another seersucker delight I'm loving this season:

J.Crew outlet seersucker mini. 

I found this for 40% off on a recent outlet visit and couldn't pass it up. I look forward to wearing it all spring and summer and it will be especially adorable for the 4th of July! It is currently available on the J.Crew Factory website and at J.Crew outlet stores.

The remaining seersucker items are not part of my closet at this time but I love them nonetheless:

Lilly Pulitzer Blossom Dress in Worth Blue Sweet Little Lady Embroidery.

I am absolutely loving this strapless seersucker dress from one of the most recent shipments of the Lilly Pulitzer Spring 2012 collection! It is most definitely on my wish list! I adore all the details: pink piping, pockets, and precious embroidered lady bugs. This screams SUMMER!

Lilly Pulitzer also produced this lovely embroidered seersucker print in:

Callahan shorts

&

Callie Skirt

Lilly Pulitzer Jarvey Skort in Starfruit Yellow Horse Show Embroidery

Another great seersucker piece from the Lilly Pulitzer Spring 2012 collection. I love the ric-rac detail! Plus Lilly skorts are great because they have the appearance of a mini-skirt but have built-in bloomers underneath.

Lilly Pulitzer Buttercup Short in Hotty Pink Lucky Seersucker.

These seersucker shorts from the Lilly Spring 2012 line also come in light blue and white. I love the scalloped hem!

Lilly Pulitzer Opening Night Clutch

While I don't think I would actually use this seersucker clutch enough to justify ever purchasing I still think it's sooo cute and a wonderful way for Lilly to incorporate seersucker into their Spring 2012 accessory line.

Vineyard Vines Sashay Carolyn Dress in Multi Patchwork Seersucker

A classic strapless seersucker dress from Vineyard Vines. Perfect for church, an afternoon summer wedding, backyard BBQ and cookouts, or just a day or night out on the town!

Vineyard Vines Seersucker Skirt

I love the bow and buttons on this adorable seersucker skirt from Vineyard Vines. It also comes in pink and camel.

Seersucker is a staple in a spring/summer wardrobe in the South and I plan to get as much wear as possible out of my favorite pieces between now and Labor Day. Hope y'all do the same!

What are your favorite seersucker pieces from this season or faithful standbys from previous seasons? Are you a stickler on seasonally appropriate fashion rules as well? I'd love to hear thoughts from y'all!