On Wearing Lilly Pulitzer At Work

During my latter years of college and pre-workforce days, the idea that Lilly Pulitzer attire was not meant to be worn in the workplace was very much emphasized. Unless you worked at a Lilly Pulitzer boutique and had a business casual dress code, the idea that you are to wear bright and colorful attire such as the likes of Lilly Pulitzer felt very taboo. Well, that idea of wearing Lilly Pulitzer in the workplace felt very taboo to those that were around me. However, ever since I’ve been in the workforce since July 2021, I have seen the benefits to embracing one’s personal style in the workplace *even* if that consists of bright colors and wearing Lilly Pulitzer at work.

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I primarily work from home in my 9-5 and while I love the freedom and flexibility of that lifestyle for the time being especially to be with my Papa and dog Rosie on a workday basis, I also love that it brings me the freedom to express myself within my own workplace attire. I do share my daily work outfits on the blog (see here, here, here, and here to find some in the archives!) on a monthly basis and have since April 2023. I find joy in getting dressed and truly expressing myself and showing my outfits off to those around me. Some days though, I do go into the office and show off my personal style within the business causal yet jeans are allowed dress code that my employer has set forth. Andddd, my personal style involves …. Lilly Pulitzer!

A few years ago, a coworker and mentor of mine within my own career and I were discussing the growing desire for us women to show off our own personal styles within our workwear. For both of us that involves wearing bright colors such as PINK to work. I have seen this coworker of mine who I adore styling sparkly pink blazers as well as sparkly bow heels to corporate events and networking mixers. She has also worn bright pink dresses and bright colored pantsuits to speak on company-hosted panels. Truly, she is a fashion icon and inspiration within the corporate world of style. Especially in my home base of Washington, DC, the fashion world especially within my industry and many of the major industries here can be seen as well … boring and bland. However, corporate fashion, regardless of industry or where you live, doesn’t have to be boring and/or bland. Simply putting, we need a few trailblazers such as my coworker and mentor to show us that you CAN embrace your own individuality within the workplace when done appropriately.

On Wearing Lilly Pulitzer at Work

Yes, there have been several occasions that I’ve worn Lilly Pulitzer to the office. I do have a few favorite pieces that I adore specifically for those workday occasions. My favorite go-to Lilly Pulitzer workwear piece is the Elsa top, which I have worn for company promotional events and videos (and gotten several compliments on from women in my own company’s leadership, too!). At the same time, I adore wearing a Lilly Pulitzer printed dress (not too revealing) with a pair of neutral flats/heels, a cardigan/blazer, and accessories, too. In fact, I’ve worn a bright pink Lilly Pulitzer shift for my company headshot! Needless to say, I’m a firm believer that if styled appropriately for your office’s dress code, you can wear Lilly Pulitzer to the office.

Wrap-Up:

From company-sponsored conferences to company videos, events, and symposiums, Lilly Pulitzer has truly been the one constant within my wardrobe at each occasion. Unlike my fears of having to reevaluate my love of Lilly Pulitzer and desires for entering the corporate world post-graduation from college, I am so glad that those fears have since been debunked. If only 21 year old Katie could see herself today!!

XOXO – Katie <3