By Shannon Barbour
Reporter
Just a week ago, hordes of shoppers piled into Target stores across the country and punched in their credit card numbers online.
All this for a shot at small quantities of the Lilly Pulitzer for Target line, which sold out the same day the collaboration was released.
The collaboration with Target included Palm Beach inspired products such as pillows, umbrellas, dishes and clothing.
This is nothing out of the ordinary. Fast-fashion stores often collaborate with well-known designers to provide an affordable alternative for the average shopper.
H&M, Topshop and Target have all collaborated with the likes of Lanvin, Stella McCartney, Jason Wu and most recently, Lilly Pulitzer.
Shoppers burst into Target stores to grab all they could — some for their own collections and others to sell online. This caused some outrage by those who also wanted to go home with something. But it didn’t cause as many issues as the fact that Lilly Pulitzer chose to collaborate with Target.
I’ve heard the complaints before with the release of other designer collaborations, but not as loud as I have recently.
People are outraged and disgusted that Lilly Pulitzer would dare collaborate with Target so the average consumer could also enjoy these products.
With the release of this new collection, these avid Lilly Pulitzer fans have shamed those who purchased the new products from Target.
How dare those people go buy something in a more affordable version, they cry.
These complaints from the company’s typical customers have been coupled with comments on the disparaging of the line and its reputation, which seems to be more country club than style.
The people who are criticizing those who bought the Lilly Pulitzer for Target products should stop boasting of their more expensive products, or as some have been calling it, “the real Lilly.”
Just because someone spent more money on nearly the same, not-so-fashion-forward product doesn’t mean he or she is above those who can’t afford to or simply don’t want to buy the more expensive version.
Money can buy that “real Lilly” product, but it doesn’t stop someone from being an insensitive elitist.
These avid supporters and consumers of Lilly Pulitzer should be more sensitive to the different reasons people choose to purchase cheaper products and shouldn’t be as concerned with the label on their clothes.
Shannon Barbour is a senior political science major from Harbor City, Calif. She is a staff writer and regular columnist for the Lariat.
