Thanks so much GeekyPenguin! I can never get those images to post!

No problem - you aren't the only one. It gets easier with practice. :)

Try Land's End. Or the boys' department. I know what you mean about the clothes....and I can just hear my mom saying "you are not getting any of those boy cut jeans!!" :D

Well said! I noticed that on these Rush threads, there is a tendency to be a little more name-brand conscious than what is necessary. There's nothing wrong with knock-offs if the Lilly style is your "style," it's certainly not for everyone! I would probably be more impressed with dresses from a local boutique, that were tasteful yet unique, instead of a $175 dress that everyone has and can spot a mile away!

PNMN have you tried Express? They have small sizes. I know what you mean about short shorts. I have long legs and they look too short on me. And I can't find any longer ones either. Plus almost everything is too big in the waist and a little too tight in the hips. Oh well...

PNM MOM

I tend to agree with earlier post....Penn Square mall or the one accross the street where Talbots is at would be a great place to find Lily type dresses.

Qauil Springs is my fav by far but to get a boutique feel i would really hit up penn sq.

Where are you located? i lived on the North side of OKC for many yrs.

Laura

Even at this stage in my life, I wouldn't purchase a $175 floral summer dress. I go to outlets and sales at department or chain stores. I never pay full price. :)

Here's a few I can see myself buying before our summer trip to Amelia Island, FL.....
http://www.pressomatic.com/theresort...%20908-709.jpg

http://www.pressomatic.com/theresort...%20920-688.jpg

With cute shoes....

http://www.pressomatic.com/theresort...%20-%20100.jpg

or these

http://www.pressomatic.com/theresort...%20-%20993.jpg

uh oh, I hear my credit card calling to me now.....

edited to add: you will see me in them both (not the shoes). Couldn't resist. And got a little girl's dress to match the wrap dress.

I simply adore those dresses! I wish they weren't so expensive!

Shopping results
 

We went shopping today and had great luck! Although there is not a Lilly in town, I think the dresses we did find are very comparable.

First, she choose a simple but tailored shift with a green, yellow and purple check pattern. It's 100% silk and the colors are unbelievably beautiful. It's bright and colorful without being too much. We found it at a small, boutique type shop on sale.

Secondly, she choose a sun dress in a very colorful paisley pattern. It's a shirtwaist style, and fits perfectly--very feminine. This dress came from one of the most expensive clothing stores in OKC, but it was on sale.

Both are very conservative, yet they look very young and fun. We paid substantially less for both of them than we would have paid for one Lilly and I don't think she could possibly be more pleased. They don't look "mally" at all and it's so refreshing! I'm so glad you talked us out of the strapless sun dress.

We saw a few of the Key West items that are similar to Lilly, but they were never available in my daughter's size, though she really liked them.

The pictures that you have posted here are fabulous! I just love admiring all these beautiful dresses.

Thank you for all the great advice. Without your encouragement, we probably would have never ventured beyond our comfort zone and discovered such fabulous dresses that were surprisingly enough easily fit into our budget.

We appreciate it!
PNMsMom & PNM

I just wanted to apologize to everyone (especially PNMs!) if my posts came across as too brand conscious. I definitely don't want to give off the impression that you have to spend a ton of money for a nice dress for rush! There are gorgeous dresses out there that won't bankrupt you :) More than anything, I was just trying to give a guideline to follow as far as style.

I can say without reservation that there is no way in heck I could have afforded a Lily when I rushed. No way, no how, na uh! Well, I could have but I wouldn't have been able to pledge because I wouldn't have had any money left over for dues! :)

FYI
 

Here is the link to the Key West Fashions website:

http://www.keywestfashions.com/kwfashions/

I think the story is that Key West Fashions made the original Lilly fabric. I have seen this line where I live and I just returned from FL where I saw it as well in several beach boutiques. I think anyone would be pleased with it as an alternative to Lilly Pulitzer.


Another idea- Check out eBay for Lilly Pulitzer items. There are tons of listings and you should be able to get a good deal. Just be sure to order your correct size because you probably would not be able to return something .

Um, hi! *waves* New to GC, please be kind!

Erm, maybe I'm from a different planet entirely, but reading about the manicure debates and the 'Lilly' dress and whatnot, I'm feeling rather confuzzled. When I rushed, I just wore smart casual pants and tops. Pref night I got out my dress pants and jewelry, but that's about it. (That may be why I got cut from some of the houses, but oh well...)

Still, my question is: does all this really matter? I mean, I read somewhere that someone suggested planning their outfits for each day of rush, and I can honestly say I'm completely lost.

don't feel badly!!! i went to a small northern school where rush isn't a big deal either. basically, we had 2 days of casual (think khakis and tees) and 2 days of dressy (think sun dresses). i wore a skirt and top one night and i bought a new dress for pref, but only because i wanted to. i marched right into the limited and found this cute sunflower dress and wha-la...a pref dress! none of the other women rushing were any more dressed up than i was! and even as a sister, the rushees were never decked out in $200 dresses.....even the ones who went to the "top" (and i use that term loosely) houses.

PNMsMom....i can't believe you are keeping us in suspense about your affiliation, too. i can't handle all of the surprises...between the alum initiate threads and the rush threads that will be coming up...aaaahhhhhhh!!!!! i do understand tho. my bet is that you are an alum in one of the groups on your daughter's campus and that makes perfect sense to keep it secret. will your daughter or you post her rush story? i love rush stories with phi mu in them!

Re: FYI
 

OKay -- this is a great website to check out !! In fact in brought me down memory lane! You see, I used to live in Key West from 1966-69! I was in junior high and my freshman year of high school there. (Father was stationed there in the Navy) The place where they made this Key West Hand Print Fabric was also a HUGE tourist destination at the time! I went there many times and we always took visitors there -- that plus riding the Conch Tour train was a hoot! Those were some halycon days...now Key West is way too WILD and well....you know...Anyways, I think I may have some Key West hand print fabric I bought there back then (I was and still am into sewing). I never met a fabric I did not like -- always had to buy at least a yard or two -- just in case!The way they made the fabric designs was so interesting and the shop - though small - was a favorite place for me to go...thanks for the link, lil' sis Andrea!!:D