Oh people, I have the most wonderful news for you today.
Thirty years after its first publication, this:
… has been updated and will be published next week:
This may surprise you, but I’m actually quite excited about this. I was preppy back in the 80s and, in spite of my current all-black wardrobe, have been leaning back toward preppy lately. Hell, I might even buy an argyle sweater. I’m also feeling the urge to buy some Izods and pop the collars up. I definitely feel the need to incorporate more plaid into my life. Should I get some ribbon belts too?
So let’s talk preppy today. Are you preppy? Do you have any Izods or argyle in your closet? Are you a pink-and-green kind of person? If you’re not preppy, what’s your style?
Love it! I always pop my collars and my husband makes fun of me. I am from princeton, nj and always have been preppy!
I’m a hippie/preppy combo. Some days I look like a relic from the 70′s in a flowing skirt/peasant blouse/beads and other days I’m in Liz Claiborne shorts/polo shirt/ribbon belt/headband.
I love argyle. Love it. Always have, always will, have the greatest collection of argyle sweaters from Target from recent years and cannot wait to wear them-if it is ever below a bejillion degrees. Khakis, loafers, vneck sweaters, pearls, all a part of my life. I was preppy when it wasn’t cool.
I used to be straight-up prep: Izods with popped collars, Keds, etc. Now? I’m not sure if I have a style. I wear whatever I’m a) drawn to, and b) fits. If it fits those two criteria, I’m in.
Just call me Buffy.
I was competely preppy in high school. I went through a nonplaid phase in college, but I think that was due mostly to the 4 years of Catholic HS uniforms.
I have always loved the prep look and wear a version of it most of the time – classics. I have been eyeing that same sweater at Land’s End!
Hi, Jen,
I am not preppy in style. I can barely dress myself. But I have a definite preference for preppy men’s dress. For men. A nice pair of chinos or jeans, a button down shirt and we’re good to go.
And NO polos.
JEnny
I actually have this on a pre-order. Perhaps it will get to me just in time for my birthday or there about.
I am definitely not a prep now, but my copy of The Preppy Handbook was quite dogeared back in the day! So fun to see it again!
I was big into prep in college and got to the point that I couldn’t look at Polo/Izod/pink/green/ribbon/plaid anything. In recent years I have come back around to appreciate the simplicity that uniform provided.
I’m not exactly preppy, but I’m fond of argyle. And Old Navy has CUTE argyle cardigans this year again!
Boho… but not chic, just raggy. I have issues with matching things and this past year almost gave my husband’s grandmother an attack of angina when I showed up for Easter dinner in pinstriped pants with a floral print cowboy cut blouse… personally, I thought I looked cute.
As for Preppy… I love the look, but can’t pull it off.
We don’t call it preppy in Alabama – its Southern Casual.
I love prep. I loved that book.
And yes, buy a ribbon belt. It will make you happy.
You need to come out to the Ralph Lauren outlet. I think there are polo shirts you need to try on.
“buy Izods and pop the collars up”
With your tutu, right?
I have to confess I don’t know what preppy is. I am claiming that this is because I am Scottish, and not because I am hideously ill-informed.
I love the preppy look, I enjoy shopping at J.Crew and have polos in almost every color–and I definitely pop the collar. While Izod does still make preppy polos you should check out Lacoste, pricey but super preppy (Izod and Lacoste split back in the day). I also highly recommend Vineyard Vines for all your preppy needs
My style:
–
Mama: Find the size 10s –whichever ones, put them on, then find a shirt–whichever one, that is clean {or mostly clean}, and some sandals..
No jeans for work–that means four pairs of pants for four days of my work
week.
So there!
I have a ton of different styles that I love, but I think that Preppy is one I don’t really gravitate towards. I love pink and green, but not in the argyle way all the housewives in the DC suburbs wear it! (Maybe I just see too much of it. )
Note: I am not referring to the supposed “stars” of the show “real housewives of dc.” I am referring to ACTUAL real housewives.
I’m afraid I’m no prep. I like a lot of the look, but I can never seem to pull it off. I do love me some argyle though.
And if you want a ribbon belt, get your craft on and make a few. SO easy. And waywayway cheaper.
I used to be preppy–kilt-wearing preppy. Nowadays I think I’d describe my clothing as more classic. I do have to stop myself from buying everything in khaki.