Although some decades have leaned into preppy style more than others, preppy style is often considered a timeless facet of the overall classic style aesthetic. Amidst the sun-kissed days of summer, pink emerges as a pillar of vitality for men’s style, and especially shorts. It brings a refreshing twist to traditional neutrals, adding a dash of playfulness to any outfit, whether smart or casual. One desperate hatmaker wrote to Kennedy pleading to him to wear a hat – JFK had a notorious dislike of hat-wearing: “You have set a new pattern for youth,” he told Kennedy. “What may be a personal attitude for you is becoming a must for these young hatless people…” The popularity of button-down shirts and dark suits all changed according to Kennedy’s unofficial endorsement. Arguably preppy has never lost the agelessness that Kennedy gave it.

Almost like a uniform, the culture has adopted avery nautical, clean-cut image synonymous with brands like Brooks Brothers, J.Crew, LL Bean, Ralph Lauren, and other similar brands. Colors and patterns may be mixed, too, and the overall feel is that of a more relaxed formality without being too casual. One relatively telltale sign of a prep is this very particular sense of the style adopted by the average preppy. An Introduction to Prep Style Even casual fans of the US version of TV sitcom ‘The Office’ will be aware that the character of Andy Bernard is an Ivy League graduate. A proud alumnus of Cornell University, Andy’s fashion sense is firmly rooted in Preppy Style – although admittedly more intensely portrayed for the sake of the screen! Is Preppy Style Just for Ivy League Schools?

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President John F. Kennedy and Peter Lawford Aboard the Yacht “Manitou”, 12 August 1962. Credit: Robert Knudsen. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston Button-down collars were initially introduced by Brooks Brothers in 1896 and have remained popular as a way of dressing down a regular dress shirt. Using buttons that fasten down the collar points on the front of the shirt meant these were almost exclusively worn as sport shirts until the mid-1950s. Still considered a sports shirt in most circles, or as a way to give casual flair to elegant attire, these shirts are extremely popular in prep culture and are often paired with the iconic navy blazer and a repp tie. Polo Shirts Loafers, like boat shoes, are synonymous with coastal culture. There are a variety of loafers on the market from the most casual forms to semi dress shoes. They are typically categorized as being a low, lace-less shoe that you slip on and wear out, rather than as a slipper indoors. Traditionally, loafers are a casual shoe, but recently many preps have begun wearing them with lounge suits or to work at offices with a more relaxed dress code. They come in a variety of styles, colors and materials and occasionally will feature tassels or decorations on the front of the shoe. For a detailed discussion ofloafers in all their varieties, read the Ultimate Loafer Guide. L.L. BeanBoots The argyle sweater is predominantly seen in golf apparel, which is why it has become so ingrained in the prep culture. Since golf has long been a favorite pastime of preppies, Argyle has become a pattern fashionable amongst both men and women. The pattern itself can simply be characterized as being made up of diamonds or lozenges. Typically they will overlap in a motif which can add a sense of multiple dimensions and texture. In most cases, it’s used as an overlay of intercrossing diagonal lines on solid diamonds. Cable Knit Sweaters

If people who have some of the superficial aspects but few of the deeper qualities are allowed to commandeer the public face of the subculture without being challenged, it will hammer one more nail in the coffin of American high culture. That may not bother some, but given that this group contributed more to the foundation and rise of America than any other, perhaps it ought to. In a word: Yes – preppy style is timeless! It’s a facet of classic style that has been around since the early 1900s and has endured for many years since. Preppy Clothing Essentials Another element of utility was timelessness. A blue blazer with grey flannels is appropriate for all but the most formal occasions; a blazer with chinos is delightfully dressy in a casual setting. Preps don’t worry about ‘fashion’– what colour/ what length/ what stripe is “in” this year – they buy what works, and keep (and wear) it for years. Preps don’t care about contrasting shirt collars, or collar bars; they buy plain or button downs. They don’t look for ‘slim’ or ‘tailored’ fit; they buy relaxed fit because they are, above all, relaxed. And that’s the real point. Chinos are trousers made from a twill fabric, originally made of 100% cotton. While they can be found in synthetic blends now, the best are still made of cotton. Brooks Brothers offers a superior selection of them as do many other fine clothiers. Today, they come in many colors, but the most common is khaki which is still very popular in coastal culture. GTH (Go To Hell) Pants Indeed, his – as was the case for the first wave of preppy – was essentially a minimalistic, classic style. Certainly it was a long, long way from the second wave of the 1980s, with its love of excessive, look-at-me colour and pattern. Really, it’s a shame the two have ever been confused. One trusts that, after reading this, the reader feels somewhat put straight. And is ready to look to an aesthetic more than half a century old for some lifelong style tips. The Best Preppy Clothing Brands For Menmany of the outfits are exaggerations to the point of caricatures; endless obsessing about what is or is not “real Trad”