Street style can inspire designers and trendsetters everywhere. A strange way of putting an outfit together by a teen in urban Chicago can turn into a whole collection shown on the runway in Paris.
The Preppy style came from the most unlikely of places: during the fifties when a group of private school American students started changing the way they wore their uniforms. By the seventies and eighties, they started to combine pieces resembling school uniforms in a way that reflected affluence and social hierarchy, with a touch of sophistication.
The term preppy comes from a sport tournament between the most exclusive Ivy League institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, and Pennsylvania. These reunions offered a university preparatory that was only offered to the heirs of the wealthiest and most influential families. The term then evolved to the elitist high schools often referred as prep schools. And eventually the term became “preppy”.
The Official Preppy Handbook was published in 1980 as a guide to dressing, acting, and knowing where to go if you wanted to be part of the preppy community. While the following outfits won’t be in any book, they’re updated versions of the ideas from that publication.
Outfit 1
Dark jeans, button-down shirt, cardigan, puffy vest or navy blazer.
To pull off a style as classic as this, use sober and comfortable items as part of your outfit. College girls always seem to add a sportswear touch to their look, just in case they head to the country club after class.
Outfit 2
Basic or plaid mini, white shirt, tie or bow, ballet flats or oxfords.
Most of the designs include something inspired by the nautical world. The colors preppy girls tend to wear are red, white, black, and blue, and of course the navy stripes.
Outfit 3
Crew neck sweater, shorts, dark tights, boots or flats.
This school girl look uses neutral wash jeans, pastel shirts, argyle sweaters, vests, rugby shirts, shirt-dresses, and lace-ups. Makeup always stays natural, while the hair should always look perfect.
Outfit 4
Coat or cape, over-the-knee socks, shift dress, belt.
This style is all about effortless, comfortable elegance. However there is nothing wrong with adding some sensuality to this look with black tights and a fitted blazer.
Perhaps you relate this particular trend with brands you don’t feel too familiar with. While Tommy Hillfiger, Gap, Lacoste, and Ralph Lauren all embody the preppy style, you can make this style your own by focusing on finding similar color patterns and shapes. Find accessories that can help you nail this look: a nautical watch, ties, pearls, and headbands can make you look like the coolest college girl on campus.
Translated by María Suárez