Need help with my newfound "preppy" style?

<p>I'm heading to a northern liberal arts school in the fall and am changing up my wardrobe. I'm a girl. I'm really into the "New England prep" style and am looking for tips. As of now, I've gotten a few L.L. Bean and Patagonia things. I've gotten a few monogrammed things also (I really like monograms but am trying not to go overboard). I'm thinking I'll get a pair of Hunter boots and another pair of Sperrys. Can anyone (high school student familiar with this style, college student, parent, whoever) please give me some tips (recommended brands, places that have good sales, any advice) on this style? All responses will be appreciated :D</p>

<p>When we visited a very preppy Ivy in the northeast, here are the brands that the students were wearing: Vineyard Vines, North Face, Brooks Brother, J Crew, Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, Lilly Pulitzer, jmclaughlin, etc. But you don’t have to have these clothes from the mentioned brands. My daughter is somewhat preppy. She can re-create the preppy look but her clothes are not all necessary “preppy” brands.</p>

<p>Okay perfect!!</p>

<p>Any other perspectives?</p>

<p>One of the best things about “preppy” style is that things are “better” when they have a little wear on them. So you can build tons of great outfits and expand your wardrobe faster by buying second hand! I love scouring thrift shops - I have a couple reliable ones in my area that I always find J Crew, Ralph Lauren, Talbots, LL Bean, Lands End (great prices on basic pieces), etc… </p>

<p>North Faces are like a must-have around here. And boots, lots of boots. Keep the monogrammed things to a minimal, we don’t wear too much of it here. JCrew is usually a great go-to place for preppy stuff. I’d recommend VanHeusen too, they sometimes have good sales. And Tommy Hilfiger. </p>

<p>LL Bean and Sperry aren’t really preppy anymore considering they are everywhere and have derived from their traditional American style (ie preppy style). Brooks Brothers is mediocre and riding on their past prestige, Ralph Lauren’s only good lines are expensive (RRL, Purple Label, anything that isn’t Polo). I wouldn’t exactly call Lacoste “preppy” anymore either although that is just my opinion.</p>

<p>You should pick up a book on Ivy style, there’s plenty. Take Ivy is the classic. I’d recommend Gant Rugger, J Crew, maybe Club Monaco. I’d argue it’s more about the style of the clothes rather than the brands. Classic Ivy clothing didn’t have any branding at all. In fact wearing clothes with “preppy” brand logos in them is the opposite of what you want. Of course, you want plenty of clothing with your school’s name on it!</p>

<p>J Crew has sales all the time. ASOS is cheap, Uniqlo is decent if you find something that matches preppy style.</p>

<p>Of course, you can try getting stuff from the old giants like Vineyard Vines and J Press. </p>

<p>Shoe-wise you should get some penny loafers, desert boots, suede brogue, all white sneakers; get some sweaters and (especially) sweatshirts to go with Oxford button ups and chinos. Cardigans would work as well I guess. Remember that preppy style is heavily influenced by sportswear (hence the sweatshirts). Avoid argyle sweaters because while they did use them in the 40s they really don’t look good. I’d go for cable knit and just basic sweaters. Blazers too.</p>

<p>Oh and I just assumed you are a guy… so sorry if you are a girl. 99% of information and pictures about Ivy styles are by and for men so I’m not sure what to say if you are a girl!</p>

<p>I’m a girl! Thank you. What are the clothing basics? As in, brands aside, what are some basics that I should invest in?</p>

<p>Ah, sorry! But don’t worry. I looked stuff up and here’s the basic run down:</p>

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<p>So it shouldn’t be too hard for me to switch genders!</p>

<p>Brand-wise Gant’s women line is great and J Crew has a decent women’s section. Uniqlo is all around good as well. Most of the brands I listed should have women’s sections by now.</p>

<p>The clothing for women was basically the same as men’s—blazers, woolen pullover sweaters, oxford button-down shirts, penny loafers and slacks. Personally I’d rather see a girl wear brogues than penny loafers myself though, but you can’t go wrong with a sweater + shirt combination.</p>

<p>Shirt dresses were born fro Ivy clothing makers making men’s shirts longer for women. They are as preppy as you can get in origin.</p>

<p>I also did some other research and apparently knee-highs or textured hose, kilts (plain or plaid), berets, plaid pants or bermudas, trench coats, and pea coats are also on the list. Pea coats are everywhere now but a nice one that fits your body will always look good. Minimal jewelry as well, just to keep a professional appearance all the time. I think women’s trench coats in bright khaki look great. I think the kilts/plaid skirts look good but they kind of remind me of a school uniform, but that may be what you are going for!</p>

<p>Color-wise it seems women’s clothes are much more muted than men’s (you know those crazy pastel colors they wear sometimes). I actually hate bright pastel clothing though, so to me that is a plus. Earth tones in the Fall, Navy and black in the Winter, brighter earth tones in the Spring, and of course you can wear you bright/white clothing in summer.</p>

<p>Sounds like being a preppy girl isn’t hard either.</p>

<p>This stuff actually all started in 1893 when some students from Seven Sisters colleges rebelled against their dress code and started wearing men’s clothes. They even wrote a book about it—The American Girl at College:</p>

<p><a href=“The American Girl at College : Lida Rose McCabe : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive”>The American Girl at College : Lida Rose McCabe : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive;

<p>That was so so helpful. Thank you so much! Interesting history there, too.</p>

<p>Are there any NESCAC students on here?</p>

<p>If you’re looking for more cheaper brands, I consider GAP as a brand that is classic, but not too expensive. </p>

<p>I would make my own brands. That way I would be one. either the joker or the game. </p>

<p>Hello… I’ve been off CC for a bit, and your post question intrigued me. I’m a prep as well, and a new Northeast student. I can give you tips, but it’ll be more of a southern prep…

  1. Brands
    -Ralp Lauren (tends to be overused)
    -Lilly Pulitzer (never fails)
    -Sperry (VERY overused, but they really help the look)
    -Vineyard Vines (One of my favorites)
    -Southern Tide (I’m not too sure about their women’s clothes, my favorite store, and extremely preppy)
    -NF jackets are a must during the winter
    There are more, but these are among the top.
  2. Colors
    Pastels! In spring pastels are killer.
    NEVER go with fully dark colored outfits. Stick to the brights…
  3. Materials
    You can never go wrong with a nice Cashmere sweater. Stick to cotton are cashmere. If you wear wool be very selective.
  4. Scarves!
    FALL SCARVES. WINTER SCARVES. SPRING SCARVES. No summer scarves… Scarves set an outfit off. If it’s not too expensive, Burberry has some amazing cashmere scarves that would make an outfit untouchable. The brand of the scarf is not really important though. The importance is in the fit. If you can match it do it!
    This is all I could muster out of my girlfriend. I tried to fit in a bit of my own advice. Lol. Let me know if you need anything else. </p>

<p>NF jackets preppy? I wouldn’t wear the same jackets sorority girls wear with leggins and Uggs and call myself preppy (if I was a girl). I’d just go for coats or at most, Canada Goose jackets. Otherwise, good tips. Uniqlo has cheap cashmere as well at under $100.</p>

<p>RuLaLa is a great site for online shopping and has really good deals! They carry a bunch of preppy brands.</p>