https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:51:43 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-1085136 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 18:05:47 +0000 milehighstyle (Linda) 1085136@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I recently came across this definition on Forbes Style File.&nbsp; They were discussing a Ralph Lauren tweed blazer:</p> <p>&nbsp;The characteristics of a classic preppy look are very simple lines, good quality in fabrics, excellent detailing and elegant colors. Especially in the cooler months this style shows a lot of navy, camel, gray and sometimes red for a pop of color. Preppy style is by nature a bit sporty, but its key elements can add an effortless chic to your office wear when done right.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-1085105 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 17:47:08 +0000 Susie 1085105@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just wanted to add to the comment about JCrew changing from their original preppy look. It reminds me of Banana Republic- who remembers the stores and catalogs when their clothes were very safari chic? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-1085025 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:49:06 +0000 retailgirl 1085025@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Preppy is always classic but classic is not always preppy. J crew used to be preppy, now not so much. J McLaughlin would be modern preppy. Ralph Lauren is quintessentially preppy. Brooks brothers is preppy. Vineyard vines is sort of preppy wannabe. I don't think Clueless is preppy at all. It is easier to define prep for men, because even the most preppy woman would be influenced a little by fashion, whereas men are generally not. I know people see Betty Draper as a 50's fashion icon, but I see her as preppy. I am of Joy's era and her description of her preppy schoolmate is perfect! I have always dressed preppy and although I like fashion, too, some of my outfits are updated but look like what I wore forty years ago! Tailored pants, a loafer or ballet flat, crisp shirt, and a cable pullover or cardigan, or blazer. I still wear some of the scarves I have collected over the decades. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-1084747 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 13:19:31 +0000 Jjsloane 1084747@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Funny this thread was resurrected. As Queen preppy I must play more. Greyscale we must have grown up near each other! <br />It's ironic how preppy I am now since I rebelled against it in my youth. I recently found this pin I used to wear (web shot - not my actual hand here). Maybe I'm making up for lost time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-1084622 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 07:18:20 +0000 Greyscale 1084622@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's already been said, but J Crew has definitely changed over the years. It used to be the epitome of prep. And I grew up in the heart of New England prep (one town over from Miss Porter's School, as mentioned earlier, and many others) but as an outside observer (public school for me, by choice).</p> <p>As J Crew got more fashion-y, especially in the Jenna Lyons era, it's kept some of the preppy touches but they are only a small part of the current J Crew look. Sometimes I still find classic prep things in their catalog:&nbsp;weathered chinos, shorts with small embroidered animals, pale pink oxford cloth shirts, belts made from striped silk ties, boat shoes. Do they still do barn coats?</p> <p>And the preppy handbook is hilarious! I think there was a reissue recently, updated, but maybe I'm imagining it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-1084609 Thu, 14 Nov 2013 06:49:26 +0000 lindseypatto 1084609@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all for the helpful insight on "preppy" fashion. &nbsp;I have added pieces of preppy fashion to my wardrobe without completing the look, I guess.&nbsp;My most common outfits are button ups with blazers,&nbsp;jeans and&nbsp;penny loafers. Or turtle necks with vests, jeans and oxford shoes or riding boots. &nbsp;I like the look of sweaters over button ups but I feel too bulky in them. &nbsp;I also love the preppy look sometimes displaying a "naturally perfect" face (neutrals of makeup), but for me it doesn't work.&nbsp;I love my blush and berry lip gloss too much! Also, what other types of jewelry are preppy besides pearls? &nbsp;I wear&nbsp;my DY cable&nbsp;jewelry. Will that mess up the outfit, if I wanted to go for a head to toes preppy look including accessories? &nbsp;I&nbsp;was not raised preppy and it was not common in my school.&nbsp;We were lower middle class and I was a cheerleader. However, I knew what preppy was and I wanted more. &nbsp;I used to plan visits to&nbsp;spend&nbsp;a day on the boat with my wealthy uncle and&nbsp;I would always be sure to have on my&nbsp;boat shoes, khakis, and a polo shirt. I didn't want him to know,&nbsp;I had very few pieces of his common style.&nbsp;I just wanted to fit in and be one of them. I actually liked when my boat shoes were worn in a bit, so I didn't look like a poser. To this day, as a successful adult, I love the rugby nautical look and I am proud to be able to buy it for myself and my boys (unfortunately my three year old HATES buttons.lol). &nbsp;It might sound silly but I&nbsp;preppy fashion inspired me and still does. Thanks to you all and google, I am reading and learning more helpful tips on a finished look.&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-1047124 Tue, 08 Oct 2013 02:23:46 +0000 Anonymous 1047124@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just found this thread and can only describe my college roommate in 1964 fresh from flunking out of a girls' prep school near Princeton. Those days girls did not yet wear pants very often so think white or pastel Oxford cloth shirts usually with Peter Pan collars, small floral print shirtwaist or shift dresses belted or merino or cashmere v neck pullovers over the shirt worn with plaid kilts complete with a giant pin, classic loafers, navy pea coat, navy knee socks, and always a narrow silk hair ribbon tied in a little bow at the top of her head. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-1046346 Sun, 06 Oct 2013 23:49:46 +0000 Day Vies 1046346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh wow what a great post. I do think there is a purest type of preppy that is derived from prep school garb. I also agree that there are versions of preppy that are sporty, formal, cocktail...I think the elements of preppy are grounded in American classic. Preppy takes American classic and mixes printed trousers (seersucker, plaids, etc.) with bright jewel tone colors, and a dash of what I consider English country. I also see preppy as the fun side of serious American classics. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-1046331 Sun, 06 Oct 2013 23:24:21 +0000 Will Chatham 1046331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do know that here in the southern United States for a man preppy styling, such as myself consists of ensembles such as a Ralp Lauren Polo style shirt and khaki shorts with Sperry boat shoes. For a woman a lot of the time simple sun dresses and sandlea or flats are considered preppy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-658179 Sat, 30 Jun 2012 16:21:49 +0000 Claudia 658179@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know this isn't really helpful, but preppy will always be for me the Omega House fraternity from the movie Animal House, and the characters Gregory Marmalard and his girlfriend Mandy Pepperidge. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-658117 Sat, 30 Jun 2012 15:01:30 +0000 Diana 658117@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just had to chime back in to say that last night at dinner, fiance and I had a great time analyzing all the preppy outfits we saw (we were at a restaurant that seems to be highly frequented by preppy types, even more so than is normal in Boston). We saw a lot of boat shoes, straight but not body-con skirts in madras plaid or khaki, polos on men, and pink shorts on women. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-658106 Sat, 30 Jun 2012 14:54:29 +0000 Angie 658106@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for chiming back in, Lemonade. To think that there is even something called Spanish Preppy! I don't know the TV character but I'll take your word for it :)</p> <p>Great visuals, Rae. That's how I see Preppy too - which ever Preppy is it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-657705 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 23:58:00 +0000 Janet 657705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una nailed the association I mainly have of preppy, which was BIG in my part of the world when I was in middle and high school. Oh, the wide-wale corduroys, the fair isle sweaters, the Docksiders, the hair ribbons, the pants with flamingos and whales and patchwork....aaaaaaah! *runs screaming* I was so very not preppy, can you tell? </p> <p>I think it has softened now, and I enjoy some elements of it -- popped collars, some of the deck shoe styles like the metallic ones Rae posted recently, etc. </p> <p>There are definitely menswear and sporty elements in preppy style, to my eye. They seem to evoke a certain kind of athletic, all-American, wholesome vibe. Not body-conscious or overtly sexy in any way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-657688 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 23:36:27 +0000 rae 657688@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Blair Waldorf only looked preppy to me when they were in school. After that, she just seemed very feminine to me. I know a lot of these are skewed to the menswear, but this is what I think of as more of a "straight" preppy, without the modern/Californian/rugged twists. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-657681 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 23:25:59 +0000 cloud9 657681@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To me, "preppy style" means prep school uniforms inspired. What comes to my mind is the show Fresh prince of Bel Air (will smith). Their prep school uniform is what I visualize as prep style. White button down or polo shirts. Khaki pants for men and plaid pleated skirts for girls. Sweaters/vests are either solid, plaid, or argyle. Navy blazers with some kinda of patch for both genders. Sweaters tied around neck. Of course that's the 90s version. I still view today's. Prep style has to be strongly influenced by these elements to be called "preppy". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-657676 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 23:00:46 +0000 Anonymous 657676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Rachylou, my grandfather, father and brother all attended the same prep school in the South. Charleston and Savannah, in particular are old cities and bastions of Southern prep. The men never stopped wearing their boat shoes without socks all winter, even when it wasn't *cool*, lol! As for the women, sure, some southern women go to town with hairspray (they have humidity you could cut with a knife) but not all of them. Just like any regions, there are a variety of fashion *types*. There is quite a knack to getting your "Muffy in a headband" look without dousing your plaid headband with hairspray......don't ask me how I know this. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style/page/2#post-657673 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 22:37:38 +0000 Irene 657673@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, I think it has also to do with the character itself, like the way she is portrait. Anyways, it's funny how that seems to be the 'imaginary' for preppy on Spanish blogs. I never thought of khakis as 'preppy' before! To me, it conveys posh+polished+young adult (kids looking like adults)+college. </p> <p>Then again, we don't even have a Spanish term for that, so I'm probably wrong in my understanding!</p> <p>PS: "En cuanto a la mujer, el preppy les sienta como traje de “niña buena”, lo cual puede ser muy clásico y a la vez muy sensual. Es así que para las fanáticas de esta moda va muy bien una falda de tipo colegiala abotonada, con camisa blanca y blazer entallado; en los pies, bailarinas o tacones. Otra opción puede ser una camiseta marinera, con chaqueta, pantalón beige, tipo náutico y zapatos de punta redonda."</p> <p>Translates into:<br /> "As for women, preppy style looks on them like a little girl's outdit, which makes her look classic and sensual at the same time. A school uniform skirt -tartan- buttoned up with a white shirt and a structured blazer; ballet flats or court heels for the feet. Another option could be a navy/sailor inspired shirt with a jacket, beige trousers and round toe shoes" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style#post-657655 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 22:04:00 +0000 Angie 657655@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>WOW! Such diversity. </p> <p>I can see Preppy integrity in everyone's explanations accept Lemonade's series of photos. Apart from #3 and very possibly #9, I do not see preppy style when I see those outfits. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style#post-657654 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 22:02:30 +0000 Laura 657654@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Don't forget Lacoste! We used to layer our Lacostes - green over hot pink. And wore them with khaki shorts and Tretorn tennis shies. Finished off with a short strand of pearls, bien sur! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style#post-657648 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 21:53:28 +0000 christieanne 657648@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will confess now that I had a heart covered turtleneck - in 1982! We did the layering of turtleneck, oxford shirt and fair isle sweater all the time. Very practical for foggy Oakland hills weather. And Topsiders. The urban edge was that we pegged our jeans to make them more skinny. </p> <p>Preppy has various definitions for sure. I tend towards the prep still (I think it's a cycle - I am only coming back to it after a twenty five year absence) but these days it's more modern. Sperry Topsiders with slim cigarette leg trousers. All those striped Breton tops that you see all over the blogosphere - preppy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style#post-657581 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 21:00:57 +0000 catgirl 657581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just tell me your t-necks aren't embroidered with little hearts or shamrocks!</p> <p>I just remembered the whole preppy look from the movie "Trading Places" - Dan Ackroyd's girlfriend Penelope Witherspoon had it down! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style#post-657572 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:54:29 +0000 rachylou 657572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Claire - I feel a need to know more about Southern preppiness. I mean, Southern girls use hair spray... Are you sure that can be preppy?</p> <p>@Una - *No no, not my turtlenecks and Fair Isle sweaters!!!* ... hehe. Thing is, boring to wear, but very practical for me... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style#post-657536 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:39:34 +0000 catgirl 657536@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Growing up in Boston in the 70s and 80s, I'd cite l.l. bean, j. crew and Land's End as quintessial sources of preppy items back then. Chinos/khakis and tucked in oxfords, striped ties, grosgrain ribbons and kilts and penny loafters. The worst parts of that style to me were the heart-embroidered turtlenecks and the uber-cutesy Fairisle sweaters. However, the rugged aspects - riding gear, barn jackets, plaid, duck boots - had a lot more appeal. </p> <p>Like any other style, there's wide range for interpretation. I'm actually interested in exploring some of those aspects (as Rae described, the Ralph Lauren side)...</p> <p>ETA: j. crew today, like Banana Republic, is very different from the j. crew of the 80s. There was none of the luxe/boho aspect to it back then, other than the prices. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style#post-657524 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:30:53 +0000 Anonymous 657524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh trust me Rachylou, there is Southern Prep to be sure, but it has it's own distinct flavor. </p> <p>If I had to explain what prep style was I'd say there is an emphasis on function rather than form. There is a careless attitude about *fashion* (but maybe a covert interest). A clean-cut, wholesome appearance and natural everything is important: hair, nails, tans, jewelry (minimal but real), fibers. The exclusive/expensive sports are favored: golf, tennis, horseback riding, sailing, la crosse, rugby-- and clothing worn for these activities seems to make it's way over into street clothes, either literally or in inspiration. Clothes are often reminiscent of uniforms worn in private academies long after the preppy has graduated: grey gaberdine or khaki trousers/skirts, white button downs and navy blazers. I think dressing "properly" is more important than dressing fashionably. Having old or passed-down items of really high quality is considered very "old money" and cool. As in Euro Chic, items are often worn to shreds. </p> <p>Wow, I'm talking like I'm an expert and of course, I'm not. But that's my take on it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style#post-657499 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:09:26 +0000 rachylou 657499@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha! Vildy, that so *nails* it: upholstered </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style#post-657491 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:48:26 +0000 Vildy 657491@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now this is ages ago but I went to school with girls who went to Farmington (Miss Porter's School) and while things may have changed some, I'll bet not too much.<br /> To my eye, there is nothing of the feminine in preppy style. If they wear a skirt or a blouse, it has a hearty overtone. Though there seems to be a branch of the Palm Beach Preppy who, in those days, were wearing Mummy's Lilli Pulitzer flowered shifts. Generally, the clothes are for athletic bodies so that the buxom gals used to look kind of upholstered. Even the Pulitzer shifts were boxy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style#post-657481 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:26:24 +0000 rachylou 657481@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So happens I actually went to prep school. But California prep school; very very different. On the other hand, my peeps on my mom's side are from back East, so there is that. Anyways, I think Rae's description is pretty good: "an offshoot of Classic that is a little more casual and rugged."</p> <p>I think Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, J. Crew, etc. are things preppies like to buy. But, for example, they're not *exactly* preppy. You can't get something from J. Crew and presto be mistaken for preppy; you also have to wear it in the preppy way. Land's End, owned by Sears even, is more likely to produce instant prep.</p> <p>True prep is a little on the frumpy side. I mean, a lot has to give way to the practical necessities of cutting back the rose bushes, mud football, swimming out to the boats, and fountain jumping.</p> <p>ETA: I have to confess, it's not clear to me that Southerners can be preppy. Society mixes, you may cross the Mason-Dixon to attend a cotillion, but this is different from everyone being preppy... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style#post-657469 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:10:20 +0000 Sarah A 657469@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting read. DH went to prep school and his authentic version of prep is very much more refined (did i mention he hadnt owned jeans is 15 years until i bought him a pair? he still isnt sure he needs them!) than my j crew prep inspired stuff. And Southern Preppy is different than Boston Preppy for sure. I think it is a lot about a youthful fun optimism, focus on fit and quality, as well as an attitude (for girls at least) to be cheerful and polite (i.e. "well bred"). Like Dianna said, grooming is impeccable and as such a lack of perfection in the hair dept will always out me as a preppy imposter!</p> <p>ETA: Authenticity strikes me as a huge part of prep too. MIL has a saying about your busom can be fake but your pearls better be real. LOL. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style#post-657417 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 17:51:35 +0000 Sheila 657417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For my taste, preppy should always have some reference to menswear, however indirect...the leather watchband, pinstriped shirts, traditional plaids, khaki, etc. I just can't see the Girly-Preppy as true preppy. You should be able to assemble your preppy wardrobe at all price points, moving from Lands End all the way to Ralph Lauren and into the stratosphere. The iconic movie "Love Story" with Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw was my introduction to this perspective on Preppy Style, and I think over the years Ali MacGraw has developed her own fashion look to incorporate the style used for that film. Of course she also includes Southwestern style to a great degree nowadays, but essentially I think she's still a Preppy. Just my opinion. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-understand-by-preppy-style#post-657400 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 17:29:20 +0000 goldenpig 657400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oooh thank you Lemonade for the Leighton Meester visuals--I love those pics! I was wondering if there was a Girly or Ladylike Preppy, because I don't think I can pull off the Tomboy Preppy look. Punk preppy sounds cool though. In my mind preppy is East Coast Martha's Vineyard style, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, J Crew. Elements of nautical and polo as well. I don't think of my style as preppy at all but I may have to look into Lilly Pulitzer as well given my love of matchy matchy and prints. </p>