The Stories Behind Your Favorite Fashions

Who Was the First Person Known to Have Pierced Ears?

No one knows who originated the style, but there’s evidence that as early as 2500 B.C. Sumerian women wore pierced earrings―gold half-moon hoops. Men have been wearing earrings since ancient Egypt, where the jewelry was introduced in 1500 B.C.
 
 

What Was the Inspiration for Lilly Pulitzer’s Colorful Printed Dresses?

Bored Palm Beach socialite Lilly Pulitzer opened a juice stand in 1959 to pass the time, but she found one drawback: The citrus concoctions discolored her clothes. She instructed her dressmaker to create a uniform that would camouflage the bright stains, and the “Lilly” design―sleeveless cotton shifts in vibrant prints―was born. The style was an instant hit with customers, who soon began placing more orders for dresses than juice.