What Does All-American-Girl Style Mean?

Angie

In my outfit post yesterday, a few readers mentioned this look as "All-American-Girl". See exhibit A and B. That was so interesting!

I'm not American, and don't actually know what All-American-Girl Style means. Is it very Ralph Lauren?

Please educate me. Thanks

12 years ago

Dressing

36 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

ironkurtin

Veteran

Angie, I think of your style as European and polished, whereas I think of an AAG as more casual. So hm.

Perhaps people meant the red-white-and-blue?

12 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

i think preppy, fresh scrubbed, conspicuously well groomed but not pressed.

12 years ago

Anonymous

When I think AAG, I think wholesome and natural. Clean and pretty, kinda preppy and classic.

Whatever the descriptor, I LOVE the tomato/light blue outfit.

12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Classic, clean lines, neat, tailored, can be preppy, in part where preppy means sporty, athletic (stilettos would not qualify) ; simple shiny-clean hair and mimimal or very natural makeup.
Not ALGO, not Boho, not Dramatic.

So your button down shirt tucked in and fairly classic outfit + great fresh-faced Angie look does bring that to mind.

I certainly don't think that style descriptor has to indicate lack of style or frozen style, though--just as in any "category" the person can look very modern and stylish.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Dana. I *thought* (and it was a vague and inaccurate thought) AAG style was jeans and a tee of sorts with long cascading locks - like Tommy Hilfiger's casual denim looks. Definitely more casual then what I'm wearing here. But I do see the connection to Ralph Lauren.

bj1111, what does conspicuously well groomed mean?

Thanks, Stacey.

Great descriptions, unfrumped. And to reiterate, I do not view the label as derogatory or insulting AT ALL!!! I just want to know what AAG style means to you

12 years ago

Liz A.

Veteran

I think All American Girl is a younger, more casual look.

People may have made that comment because your out fit is red, white, and blue.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

So Liz, AAG style is about the style of young girls - hence the word "Girl"?

12 years ago

Liz A.

Veteran

I immediately think high school or college... letterman jackets and whatnot.

12 years ago

shedev

Veteran

I think something like California casual

12 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Clean-scrubbed, simple graphics (stripes, checks), simple construction, crisp straight lines, not too fitted, red-white-&-blue, cotton.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Lots of interpretations here! I'm not sure I know what AAG style is, but I would not call this outfit AAG -- though it may have elements of AA (the striped shirt, the colours.)

12 years ago

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I have been referred by others as AAG a few times. The photo below was one that provoked that response.

12 years ago

deb

Veteran

When I saw your post yesterday my first thought was very Ralph Lauren-ish. I did not think AAG but I see how that translates.

12 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

It is interesting how different our ideas are on this! I always think of AAG as classic American sportswear as personified by Jackie Kennedy. Clean-cut, wholesome (not to overtly sexual, but still feminine) and classic. A little preppy. A little Hamptons. A little Ralph Lauren, but without the western influence. Clean scrubbed, clean hair, straight teeth. Slightly sun burnished.

ETA: Sorry, meant Jackie in the Kennedy Era, not Jackie in the Onassis Era.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, ladies. All very interesting. AAG style means different things to most of you!

12 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I think of Ralph Lauren types, to be honest. Clean, freshly scrubbed, little make-up. Not too bright, not too loud, only a little polished but still polished.

12 years ago

Anonymous

When I think of All American, I think of the preppy look. Nautical stipes (navy/white, re/white) with white jeans. Ralph Lauren is definitely on the preppy side. All American shouldn't be anything loud, more on the conservative side. Even jeans and fitted T shirt with ponytail is like the girl next door look which a lot of guys like, and don't wear a lot of makeup.Have a good day.

12 years ago

nancylee

Veteran

AAG to me means "girl next door" looks: clean, simple, classic, maybe a little preppy. A look that says you're conscientious and trustworthy.

12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

isn't limited to young girls but probably epitomized by college age. But an older prototype might be Jennifer Anniston ( who once was that age!)

12 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Without reading any other responses and going with my initial, gut response, AAG to me is perfect bright white teeth, shiny hair, healthy looking skin without much makeup, nice fitting clothes without too much skin showing and never gaudy or trashy looking, maybe dresses a bit patriotic with red/white/blue.

12 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

Rachylou and I agree on AAG style. I think the red/blue in your outfit made it a little more AAG than typical of your outfits but still it was "you".

12 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I always wondered about this descriptor also. I think Jennifer Aniston is often described as having AAG style. It wouldn't have occurred to me to label your outfit AAG. At least not modern AAG. Maybe mid-20th century AAG as represented by the women in Alfred Hitchcock's American films.

12 years ago

Anonymous

To me AAG means part tomboy, part modern classic. I also think it means bright color (including white) or at least midtones. I don't see an AAG in black or even lots of pastels.

12 years ago

Kyle

Veteran

It's not an age. Think Christie Brinkley. Not dressy versus casual. Think casual denim and a white tee. It's very fresh and clean, with an overarching simplicity. A lot of primary colors, not necessarily red, white and blue. A little preppy, definitely a strong classic influence. Natural beauty. Nothing overdone. Girl next door is another way of describing it. It's not one single thing...but a complete look.

12 years ago

sarah

Veteran

Hmmm... I wouldn't have described your outfit that way (except that it is red, white and blue). I think Jennifer Aniston has AAG style - casual, natural, looks great in jeans and sandals...

12 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Agree with Kyle - she's hit the nail on the head, so to speak.

12 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

It wouldn't have occurred to me either to describe you that way. Your look is too sophisticated for that. I agree that it was the extreme classic cut of your pieces, and the red-white-blue color scheme. Plus the water--there's a lot of water associated with all-american things!

12 years ago

Archer

Veteran

Speaking as definitely not an AG when I have heard the term I didn't think clothing style, more of an idealised conservative, girl who the AAB would be happy to take home to his AAM.

12 years ago

Carole

Veteran

I think of "all american girl style" as preppy classic and simple!

12 years ago

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