Today was a ridiculously long day for Lilly lovers everywhere. At the end of the day, there are two groups of people: the ones that were able to snag even a little piece of Lilly for Target treasure and the ones that walked through those automatic doors to find the shelves bare. If you were a part of the latter group, these are the 5 things you need to do right now.

​​1. If you’re already a proud owner of some Lilly, dig it out of your closet and take it to your local tailor. Yes, the new prints at Target are cute, but a fun print can’t outshine a dress that hugs you in all the right places.

2. Avoid eBay like the plague. Don’t get suckered into paying more than double the retail price for a Target collab. No disrespect to the Lilly at Target line, but this is a time to think rationally. If you’re prepared to drop some serious cash on some new Lilly, check out all of your options. There are some truly terrible people on eBay marking up collab items for exorbitant amounts, so don’t get caught up in the hype of the Target reveal when you can get some original Lilly for more reasonable amounts on eBay.

3.  Go to Target. Yes, it was the site of your original heartbreak, but it is also a place where you can find solace. Check out my previous post on all of the fresh, fashionable and even fruity styles that weren’t part of the collab collection that you can still snag without being run over by a shopping cart or waking up at 4am.

4. Get creative. As people inevitably suffer their way through agonizing buyer’s remorse and husbands (and boyfriends) across the country brace themselves against serious amounts of Nosie Posey and Giraffeeey, there are going to be some serious returns. Of course, these returns are probably going to be disappointing, sporadic and primarily in toddler or children’s sizes. Don’t let this discourage you. A children’s jersey cotton dress can be reworked into an adult skirt, a cotton turban hair band or a crop top. Stiffer cotton dresses can be turned into the cute knot headbands from the collab or a myriad of other things if you have access to pom pom trim, a zipper and a sewing machine.

5. Think outside the (Lilly Pulitzer patterned) box. Ok, so maybe your Lilly for Target dreams didn’t come true. Trust me, very few of those fantasies turned into realities today. I know, it’s difficult to just change your focus. You’ve been fixating on turning your closet into the ultimate Lilly shrine which is a very admirable mission, but don’t lose sight of what’s important. Lilly Pulitzer is fabulous, fun, and flattering but it isn’t the only brand capable of making you feel beautiful. All for Color, Monday Dress, Island Republic and Barbara Gerwit are just some of more than a few brands that provide a similar experience to Lilly.

Lilly for Target has come and gone. Maybe it didn’t work out the way you wanted, but it’s good to keep things in perspective. You still have impeccable style, you probably saved more money than you thought, and Lilly Pulitzer will continue to pump out preppy perfection that you will have ample opportunity to shop without the early morning wake up call, the long lines or the sprint to the racks. Happy shopping!