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Let's define preppy.

Lesley

Veteran

I want to understand better the "preppy" label. Occasionally my sister (who lives in Europe) has referenced my more all-American style of dressing as "preppy," and it has always given me pause. I think of "preppy" as polo and tennis shirts, lots of tasteful (for my taste, boring) jewelry (like diamond studs) and colors (I'm thinking forest green and merlot) and chinos—none of which are up my alley.

However, I'm realizing that the Kate Spade-ish brand of optimistic prints and colors is sometimes classified as "preppy," and this is much more in my wheelhouse. This "preppy" tends to be a little more cartoonish, leaning more on late 1950s/early 1960s silhouettes, bright colors, and having old-school touches, like Converse and basketball sneakers over modern tennies and favoring ballet flats over penny loafers (the latter fall into my earlier definition of preppy again). What do you guys think... what do you call this style, this kind of "preppy", or is it me who has to widen my notion of "preppy"?

General

60 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is an interesting question that I've asked a few times (I'm not American). When I did, the East Coasters in the US had a different idea of what is authentically Preppy than the rest of us.

Lesley

Veteran

I am an East Coaster American! I am thinking of preppy as the "prep school" look. Think any rich girl caricature in any 80s movie... Basically all conservative staples like pearls and white button downs and little extra oomph. (I say carefully, as I do wear pearls occasionally and I know you do always, but I would say you do so with plenty of oomph.)

Anonymous

Lesley, with you all the way on your definition but I think the term "preppy" has evolved into "clothing that wealthy conservatives are buying in 2018".

It's challenging because there can be a kind of stigma if you wear too many classically styled, well made clothes at once. Especially if they're in "standard" colors and fabrics.

cindysmith

Veteran

When I think preppy, I think argyle and bright colored polo shirts with Bermuda shorts. I think of Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, JCrew, Lily Pulitzer, Liz Claiborne, Tommy Hilfiger, Izod/Lacoste, LL Bean, Eddie Bauer... I've even seen what I would label as preppy called "modern southern woman" style (???)

I think there ARE different shades of preppy, but for the life of me I'd never be able to describe what is or isn't preppy because it definitely isn't my thing.

To further confound the issue, allow me to introduce you to "gothic prep" with some images. It's definitely not something "authentic" preppy people would call preppy, yet there is a subculture of gothic prep out there.

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Anonymous

The definitive guide:
http://www.saltwaternewengland.....ccessories

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Preppy to me means a slightly masculine style of dress.No frills ,flounces or bling.Button down shirts,oxfords,dark rimmed glasses etc.

Anonymous

I am on the East Coast. This is my definition: polo and tennis shirts, lots of tasteful (for my taste, boring) jewelry (like diamond studs) and colors (I'm thinking forest green and merlot) and chinos.

I had not considered that preppy could also be defined as wearing too many classically styled, well made clothes at once. Especially if they're in "standard" colors and fabrics. But this makes sense to me and sums it up nicely.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have always lived in the mid-Atlantic, and as a middle- and high-schooler in the 80s, was acutely aware of the original "preppy" aesthetic in this area. Popped collars, layered polo shirts, wide-wale corduroys, Sperry docksiders, pink-and-green color combinations, pearls, etc.

I never adopted that look but don't mind a smattering of it here and there -- I like argyle, but in more subdued colors, and I'll pop a collar here and there. I even have Sperry's, but in rose gold.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.....y_Handbook

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Susie

Veteran

I’m also from the mid-Atlantic are originally and agree with Janet’s definition. I’d also include styles in what I think of as “country club conservative” like navy blazers, khakis, cardigans, plaid Bermuda shorts, etc. Izod and LL Bean come to mind as classically preppy brands.

My preferred style- both in my younger years and now- is decidedly NOT preppy!

Style Fan

Veteran

This is very informative. I had a picture in my head but I would not have been able to define preppy.

Synne

Veteran

Agree with the ones defining preppy as rich kid in an 80's movie, that was my initial thought also. But dressing up in 80's prep in this current year would be more retro or ironic fashion even. I'm thinking expensive but minimalistic, androgynous and understated, tasteful and following the rules, equals preppy in my book.

LaPed

Veteran

I see prep as, broadly, the US East Coast's response to British upperclass "country gentleman" attire (tweed jackets etc worn for golfing, hunting, you know -- hobbies). Preppy takes a whole variety of recreational activities as its referents: sailing (or boating more generally), tennis, golf, polo, and to some degree hunting/camping.

So, things that are definitely preppy: polo shirts, nantucket reds, tennis whites, Sperry Topsiders, camp mocs, Bean Boots, etc. And then you get things that are preppy by association, like Lilly Pulitzer prints, because they are just part of that milieu. There is a certain conservatism to the look -- because a lot of these are designs that haven't really changed much over generations, and because many of these clothes were, at least originally, function first, form second. But it's a playful conservatism...

To me, it's quite important to note that prep has its origins in leisure wear, not business attire, even though there are plenty of business looks that you can tell have prep as their primary influence. You can compare that to the iconic styles of the Western US -- jeans, Stetsons, roper boots -- which all have their origins in workwear. I think it's an important cultural difference to be aware of -- are we trying to look like we're on-duty or off-duty?

Anonymous

I agree the term "preppy " has evolved over time...but hasn't all
labels. Romantic of the 50's is not the same as the romantic of the
80's nor the same of the romantic today. Ditto for dramatics!
And yes I think some of the designers/stores named above probably qualify as preppy in style. But not sure it is limited to them either.

I "plead guilty" to being one of those East coast ladies whose wardrobe could qualify as classic preppy.
Conservative yes, wealthy...ah...not so much! In fact, most of the folks I know that dress preppy/ classic (including me)have limited budgets which is why we don't really jump on trends until they prove to be classic. You can get away with a classic wardrobe for lot longer as styles are very slow to change. We also have to be very in tune with what colors really look good on us, because we can not afford to make costly mistakes that sit in our closet.
I see more women dressing "preppy" as they get older- not sure if it is because the style is more forgiving of flaws or because some styles and trends just look... well extreme on us ladies of a certain age.
Most of us preppy types love looking at great stylish ladies- even those our own age that dress with flair and know next to you all we can seem boring.
I like to think we make up for it with our stellar personalities????
...or maybe not!

Anonymous

I actually don’t think of Kate Spade as preppy! I also don’t think of Lilly Pulitzer as preppy either. They’re too bright and cheerful.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Smittie, see my examples above -- preppy was most definitely bright and cheerful in my neck of the woods!

rachylou

Veteran

Oh fun. My mum is from the East Coast. My dad is Britsh Empire, replete with boarding school and beach social clubs. I am born and raised Californian. I had to rebel against, lol.

I’m aware of a lot of different shades of prep and the way different tribes use the term and the exchange between sloanes and southern belles and the unnamed West Coast parallel and so forth. I could go and on about prep now v. then too.

I do want to say that California suburban (and most of the USA’s) use of the term ‘preppy’ makes me roll with laughter. It’s completely canned, Macy’s Ralph Lauren in lemon yellow and with a dollop of Sperry on top. It is NOT preppy. Preppy is informed by the Classical Greek. You don’t get good Greek columns in the suburbs, with proper bulging.

Nothing Southern is preppy, albeit belles and preps once collided at cotillions. (Nowadays the pass-for-real debutante balls are held IN EUROPE and are really beyond prepdom).

Prep, actually, is dead. And preppies slink about in Uniqlo like everyone else, just in a certain way.

Rachylou Has Spoken. Lol.

Otherwise, preppy is pretty quiet, except for the plaids.

And a ps: V-neck sweaters aren’t very preppy, and especially not worn as shirts.

Sal

Veteran

I tend to think of good quality classics, rooted in sports and leisure. I don't think of black - more colours and light neutrals. Preppy in the 60s is different to today. I always think of it being a US societal group- but this is based on novels or movies - and I doubt this scene exists in the same way today.

catseye

Veteran

What Ryce linked. Muffy Aldrich.

Anonymous

@Janet — Maybe because I’m not from the states, I never got the full preppy experience.

Greenjeans

Veteran

LOL, anyone remember Lisa Birnbach's, "The Official Preppy Handbook?" I know it is satire, but girls in my New England middle school took it very seriously.

I see preppy as New England casual elite. It is the opposite of boho. If you grew up preppy it is a hard aesthetic to shake - there are still elements of prep in how I think about dressing and building outfits even though it's been decades since I lived on the East Coast.

There's a simplicity to prep, a casualness, and an air of confidence that could be viewed as entitlement.

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Greenjeans

Veteran

Oh, and one more thing . . . prep is real and enduring! While it made have faded as a culture-wide thing it is alive and kicking in many parts of Maine, NH, Massachusetts and Connecticut where it is practically a uniform.

jussie

Veteran

Yep, elite casual wear, super conservative. In Noosa Australia the preppy look for men is almost mandatory still. Bermuda shorts, boat shoes and either a polo or a bright checked short sleeve shirt.
However I must confess I actually like to wear the preppy look now and then. It’s very easy to put together and comfortable, and I like the summery colour palette.
A brand that automatically comes to mind is Lacoste.

Jjsloane

Veteran

As a preppy dresser who grew up in New England (I remember the Preppy Guide), but think now of brands like Vineyard Vines, Lacoste, and Brooks Brothers most notably. Tommy HIlfiger leans very preppy IMO. I think plaid (madras mostly), oxfords in pastels, pearls, loafers (no socks), theme printed accessories (lobster print belts, argyle socks...) and fair isle sweaters. Dressy casual looks like blazers with bermuda shorts.

Cee

Veteran

Twinsets, deck shoes, poloshirts, ironed shorts and pearls and every second person is named " Chad " and " Muffy. "

Cee

Veteran

Oh and do check Muffy Aldrich's Saltwater New England website.

The lady is somewhat of an authority !

Meggie

Think : J Crew

Nebraskim

Veteran

I am old (63) and the "Official Preppy Handbook" (high five to Greenjeans) came out when I was in college. Even thought it's satire, it has more than a whiff of truth. I still define my style as "preppy, collegiate, sporty, upscale casual." Defining brands: Talbot's, JCrew, Banana Republic, Brooks Bros., Ralph Lauren, LLBean, Eddie Bauer. Preppy involves being sort of classic and understated in a sometimes loud manner -- like lime green and pink Lily Pulitzer cropped pants.

BrieN

Veteran

Having grown up on the East Coast in the gated suburbs of NYC, I agree wholeheartedly with Cardiff girl's assertion that preppy is (or at least was initially) a fairly masculine look (for women). So not sexy.

Anonymous

Great thread.

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