When Lilly Pulitzer was announced as the next designer collaboration for Target, I was ecstatic. I thought the April launch was perfect for helping me score some amazing printed pieces for spring and summer. But I might have been part of the few people that were happy about it. And that was truly shocking…

Like I’ve said a dozen times I’m a southern girl living in NY, but still am very true to my southern roots. So I know that a cute LP dress and pearls is a southern girl staple. The prints scream southern sorority girl, high class, elegant, lovely and very expensive. So to think I can get some LP at a lower price point is totally awesome. I, apparently, am part of the few that think so.

There’s been several things that have plagued this collaboration since it was announced: One, that Lilly Pulitzer is the next designer for Target. Two, that Lilly Pulitzer is offering plus sizes. And three, that the plus sizes are only being offered online. What else will be next?

Social media was in a firestorm this week. Here are some of my favorites:

“Lilly Pulitzer is rolling over in her grave”

“Great, now basics will be wearing Lilly Pulitzer”

“This is what happens when the founder dies and ignorant people are left in charge”

“Lilly Pulitzer is built off class and now you’re declassing it with it being associated with Target.”

“Great, I just spent $250 on a dress that will now sell for $40 to some randoms.”

I was pretty shocked that people would be so crazed and appalled by it. Isn’t that what a Target collaboration is for? To offer lower price points from a designer to the masses. It’s not like Lilly Pulitzer is moving into Target permanently. It’s a limited number of items which will probably sell out in the first day. And then never again. I do not see the problem.

I’m a girl who wears labels. I love a designer bag, designer scarf, designer shoes. But I also love to mix a high end designer with something from Target. I own at least 5 Burberry scarves, so I still can love and appreciate a great plaid scarf from Target without screaming it being “low budget knockoff” or that it’s sold to “basics”. I will still pick a Target scarf over a designer one if it goes with my outfit better. I love Louis Vuitton but I also love Target. Does shopping at Target make me low class or a “basic”? No.

I also think it’s awesome that plus sizes are being offered. I was once a plus size so I can understand the importance. I don’t understand why it’s being sold online only though, considering the expanding waist lines of Americans and the need being more prominent than ever for a nice selection of plus size clothing. But they’re also saying since it’s the first time Target has offered plus sizes with a designer collab that they’re “testing the waters”. I can understand that.

Whatever you believe, Lilly Pulitzer is an amazing designer with prints like no one else. And I believe that the same people complaining on social media will be some of the first in line to buy LP for Target on April 19th. So now they can be “basic” and “randoms” like us all, but at least I’ll be a “basic” wearing Lilly. 🙂