The Preppy Handbook: how to master the classic aesthetic
With shows like Succession and the Gossip Girl reboot gaining massive traction during the past couple of years, the internet is perpetually obsessed with “old money” aesthetics and the concept of “stealth wealth”.
The prep and old money aesthetics seem to go hand in hand as representations of the aspirational and unattainable lifestyles of the upper echelons. Fashion writer Alexandra Hildreth, in a TikTok posted on 12th April, explains that, back in the day, prep was characterised by the “socioeconomic and cultural signifier of essentially being white, upper middle class, or wealthy”.
As Alexandra goes on to say, the aesthetic was inextricably tangled with “inherent and learnt behaviours” correlated to that economic status, making it reactionary and exclusive.
Today prep is involved in a different cultural phenomenon: a subversion of the ideals it used to represent. Independent luxury brands like Chopova Lowena, Martine Rose, and Wales Bonner, but also industry titans like Miu Miu and Thom Browne, have co-opted the preppy aesthetic and turned it on its head, transforming it in a much more rugged, contemporary, and inclusive movement.
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While most of those brands focus on a more fluid and androgynous aesthetic, Miu Miu showed a girlier and nerdier side of prep for their SS23 runway, a side made of cashmere co-ords, frame bags, hosiery, and kitten heels.
In the words of Harper Bazaar’s Fashion News Director Rachel Tashjian, “Rather than reinforcing the lifestyle of prep and its trappings, [these brands] are swatting at them, playing with them, questioning them. Prep is back, and this time, it’s personal!”
If this new, rebellious prep tickles your fancy, here’s a handy guide on how to rock it.
1. Plaid and pleats
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Absolute staples of the prep renaissance, plaid and pleats are ubiquitous in every prep brand’s collection. Pair your pleated skirt with rocker-style pieces to break away from the school uniform mold.
Clarks
Craft Arlo Limit Brogue Standard Fit
AllSaints
Leather Serne Leather Jacket, Size: XS Black
£459.00
AllSaints
-30%
Fat Face
FatFace Leanna Black Leather Jacket
£139.00
£199.00
FatFace
-30%
Ganni
Duchesse Nylon Fitted Jacket Black
£345.00
£495.00
Labels
-30%
Fat Face
FatFace Tessa Black Leather Jacket
£139.00
£199.00
FatFace
-27%
Infinity Leather
Chestnut Leather Biker Jacket-Reynosa Brown
£112.19
£154.43
Debenhams
A statement coat should be structured but effortless, dandy but not pretentious. You are fancy, and therefore deserve the fanciest coat!
-50%
AllSaints
Polyester/Viscose Essie Single Breasted Blazer, Size: UK 14/US 10 Grey
£149.00
£299.00
AllSaints
-40%
BAM
Venture Fleece Gilet - Medium
£59.40
£99.00
BAM
-40%
AllSaints
Polyester Kaye Oversized Drawcord Trousers, Size: XS White
£83.00
£139.00
AllSaints
-50%
Varley
Ana cotton-blend puffer coat Brown
£187.00
£375.00
Mytheresa
AllSaints
Cotton/Modal Raffi Slim Fit Leggings, Size: XS Black
£59.00
AllSaints
-30%
Fat Face
FatFace Bianca Grey Longline Teddy Coat
£84.00
£120.00
FatFace
AllSaints
Polyester Jen Tulle Maxi Skirt, Size: UK 14/US 10 Blue
£159.00
AllSaints
-40%
Roman
Faux Suede Pocket Jacket Brown
£30.00
£50.00
Roman
3. Chunky sweaters and cardigans
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Knitwear from a heritage brand like Ralph Lauren or Tommy Hilfiger is another prep staple. Pair your cable-knit sweaters and preppy cardigans with leather trousers or baggy jeans.
Wales Bonner
Adidas X Wales Bonner X Wales Bonner Stripe-intarsia Knit Cardigan - Red - S (UK8-10 / S)
-40%
Varley
Camello cable-knit half-zip sweater Beige
£90.00
£150.00
Mytheresa
-50%
Manuel Ritz
cropped cable-knit sweater - Black
£95.00
£190.00
FARFETCH
Polo Ralph Lauren
Cable-knit cotton sweater Pink
£190.00
Mytheresa
-12%
Polo Ralph Lauren
cable-knit v-neck sweater - White
£186.00
£211.00
FARFETCH
-30%
Polo Ralph Lauren
Cable-knit cotton sweater White
£133.00
£190.00
Mytheresa
-24%
Polo Ralph Lauren
Plaited Cotton V Neck Sweater Blue
£166.00
£218.00
Balardi
Polo Ralph Lauren
Cable-knit cashmere and wool sweater White
£200.00
Mytheresa
-10%
Polo Ralph Lauren
crew-neck cable-knit sweater - Pink
£190.00
£212.00
FARFETCH
4. Shoes: from loafers to kitten heels
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Nothing says preppy like a classic pair of loafers: we recommend pairing them with thick white socks, to add a layer of ironic awkwardness. Speaking of awkwardness, Miu Miu SS23 made the nerdy girl with sheer tights and pointy kitten heels cool again.
Martine Rose
105mm extended-toe pumps - Pink
Vagabond
Eyra - Womens Black Leather/embossed
£130.00
Vagabond
Vagabond
Brittie - Womens Black Crinkled Patent Leather
£135.00
Vagabond
Hunter
Womens Gloss Penny Loafers Blue
£95.00
Hunter
Vagabond
Blanca - Womens Off White Suede
£130.00
Vagabond
Russell & Bromley
FAIRYTALE Slingback Gem Kitten Heel Blue
£275.00
Russell & Bromley
Miista
Mie snake-print leather sandals - Animal print - EU 35
£280.00
The Outnet
Ted Baker
Womens Metallic Kitten Heel Sandals in White, Myloh, Leather
£110.00
Ted Baker
Vagabond
Tilly - Womens Light Green Leather
£130.00
Vagabond
Pairing your slacks, tweed blazers, and loafers with more feminine accessories is a great way to create a nice contrast. We recommend classic handbags, pearl jewellery, and sheer hosiery.
Russell & Bromley
CHORLTON TOTE Belted Structured Tote Black
£450.00
Russell & Bromley
The Cambridge Satchel Company
The Daisy - Deep Purple Celtic Grain
£200.00
Cambridge Satchel
Charles & Keith
Enola Elongated-Handle Bag
£79.00
Charles & Keith
The Cambridge Satchel Company
The Mini Sophie - Metallic Emerald Green
£525.00
Cambridge Satchel
Russell & Bromley
SUTTON LARGE Large Oval Shoulder Bag Black
£350.00
Russell & Bromley
-10%
Coccinelle
ARLETTIS Blue
£130.00
£145.00
Yoox.com
Charles & Keith
Enola Elongated-Handle Bag White
£79.00
Charles & Keith
-12%
Furla
BAGS - Handbags on YOOX.COM Silver
£165.00
£188.00
Yoox.com
A pair of wide-frame, rimmed glasses is another fantastic way to accessorise your preppy outfit.
Miu Miu Eyewear
square frame glasses - Black
£180.00
FARFETCH
Charles & Keith
Celestia Metal-Rim Tinted Rectangular Sunglasses Gold
£59.00
Charles & Keith
-48%
Gucci
Butterfly Optical Gg1846 O 001 Black
£171.00
£328.00
Balardi
Tom Ford Eyewear
light-filtering square-frame glasses - Brown
£123.00
FARFETCH
Charles & Keith
Delaney Recycled Acetate Chain-Link Butterfly Sunglasses Black
£79.00
Charles & Keith
Tom Ford Eyewear
FT5812 square-frame glasses - Pink
£123.00
FARFETCH
-39%
Guess
Glasses, female, Black, ONE SIZE, Stylish Eyeglasses Gu2832 Color 005
£95.06
£155.23
Miinto
-19%
Victoria Beckham
rectangle-frame glasses - Grey
£85.00
£105.00
FARFETCH
