Preppy Style

Preppy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Preppy, preppie, or prep (all abbreviations of the word preparatory) refers to a modern, widespread United States clique, sometimes considered a youth subculture. Preppy is a chiefly North American adjective or noun traditionally used in relation to northeastern private university-preparatory schools and denotes a person seen as characteristic of an attendee of these schools. Characteristics of preppies include a particular subcultural speech, vocabulary, accent, dress, mannerisms, and etiquette. Preps often are associated with traditionalist, East Coast, upper class "WASP" families in the United States.

The word is particularly well-known amongst American teenagers, as it is quite often used to refer to a particular subculture present within most populous American high schools: the traditionally "popular kids", generally consisting of the children of middle to upper class families, typically characterized (especially by Hollywood in films such as John Hughes' Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club) as a shallow, transparent group, who are primarily concerned with extrinsic things, the three most obvious of which are probably popularity (generally within their own high school), physical appearance and material possessions. However, when used in this sense, the word is considered slightly more "slang-ish" when it is shortened to the term "prep(s)".
In the U.S. region of New England, the term is not necessarily pejorative or even related to class, as "preppy" clothing is relatively normative.

Contents 1 Definition 2 Fashion 3 Lifestyle

 Definition

The preppy style originated in the 1950s. As the style is associated with the WASP ethnonym, preppies frequently wear more traditional styles.Classical preps frequently dress formally; the teenage prep often models the appearance of a young professional adult.

Fashion

Brands such as Brooks Brothers, L.L. Bean, Ralph Lauren, Vineyard Vines, Lilly Pulitzer, Elizabeth McKay, Lacoste,J. Crew, and J. Press are frequently perceived as preppy styles. Examples of preppy attire include button down Oxford cloth shirts, argyle sweaters, cuffed chinos, madras, Nantucket Reds, and boat shoes.
In 1980, the author and private school alumna Lisa Birnbach edited The Official Preppy Handbook, a tongue-in-cheek guide to what she termed "prepdom". Birnbach, with Chip Kidd, have authored True Prep, a followup to the 1980 handbook, published September 2010 by Knopf.
Preppy fashion became popular in the 1980s and enjoyed a revival in the 2000s, as did the related style of "Ivy League" or "Trad" clothing.


Lifestyle


Among the more common sports played by preps are badminton, equestrian sports, skiing, fencing, shooting, tennis, golf, rowing, field hockey, sailing, croquet, squash, lacrosse, polo, rugby and cricket.Preps are generally characterized by an attachment to traditional "old school" beliefs and attitudes, typically rooted in family pride or lineage.

What matches perfectly with a Nantucket summer, sailing, and elite Ivy League schools? If you’ve noticed polos, khaki shorts, and sporty accessories, then you’ve got the answer: preppy style.
Preppy style may be a trend, but it’s also a classic look. Preppy never truly went away—although we can say that it was lying dormant before it surfaced again. The preppy look first surfaced as a true trend in the late 1970s through 1980s, after sportswear and athletic gear was accepted and adapted into casual wear.
Preppy look this season has a strong emphasis on color. They’re a preppy clothes trademark and used for both prints and solids. We see kelly green, purple, yellow, and bright pink most, but the signature polo shirt can be found in any bold solid. The polo shirt—from Lacoste or Ralph Lauren is classic and most popular—can be worn with any simple slacks or shorts, which means it’s a good place to start if you’re looking to incorporate preppy style into your wardrobe in an affordable separate.
If you’ve already got plenty of preppy polos, there are updated styles this season to enjoy. Kris Van Assche’s collection incorporated new polo styles that included an oversized button placket and shoulder epaulets. These details are perfect if you want to take your preppy style to the club, paired with your favorite jeans. Van Assche’s polos drew from a strong palette of buttercup yellow, sage green, putty, and tans—great for layering.
Preppy style also comes in overstated, unisex florals and repeated patterns. If you’ve seen small repeating whale patterns, that’s the kind that finds itself on preppy shoes, satchels, and shorts. In the 1980s, madras shorts and other plaids were worn with bright colors and baseball caps. This season, Dries Van Noten brought us a floral plaid—a combination of two trendy patterns and a very new look.
Nautical inspiration is a preppy clothes staple. D&G went out for a sail in its most recent collection, using nautical-themed clothes for very elegant takes on the simple look. United Bamboo employed a jaunty nautical effect for 2007. Their collection, based on a hipper version of the country club scene, had navy and red cardigans parading down the runway, matched with slim simple trousers.
Preppy shoes are always comfortable and usually slip-on. Footwear is borrowed from yachting and beachwear styles, like a simple rubber thing or loafer. This season, try a pair of topsiders from a more simple source like L.L. Bean or J. Crew, or go for the new Prada loafers for a similar effect, but a more urban feel.
All flat slip-on shoes this season can be worn with preppy-inspired trousers. California label Trovata, which always gives us reworked cool classics, paired slip-on espadrilles in navy and white with cutoff shorts and bucket hats—not to mention the classic polo. Their seafaring theme complemented preppy trends flawlessly, with a basic color palette, nautical flavor, and sporty overtones. Bucket hats and pullovers finished off the look. Loafers at polo-shirt classic brand Lacoste were white and comfortable, and were worn with simple flat-front trousers in a vibrant pink shade.
Preppy style is surprisingly simple, which means that you can find affordable choices alongside very elegant pieces. You can get your preppy clothing basics from the likes of J. Crew, Ben Sherman, and Penguin, or dress them up with a blazer or light overcoat. Regardless of how you wear your preppy look, you’ll be guaranteed two things: comfort and style!