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.
Getty Images
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
Getty Images
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.
Valentino Garavani
Bowshire polished leather loafers
-30%
AllSaints
Womens Polyurethane Dalby Slim Fit Faux Biker Jacket, Size: XS Black
£174.00
£249.00
AllSaints
-20%
Rotate
Leather biker jacket Black
£496.00
£620.00
Mytheresa
-50%
AllSaints
Womens Leather Daylen Oversized Leather Biker Jacket, Size: L Black
£199.00
£399.00
AllSaints
-15%
Infinity Leather
Womens Black Shearling Sheepskin Aviator Jacket-Kiev - Size 22 UK
£304.99
£359.99
Secret Sales
AllSaints
Leather Clo Pleated Leather Jacket, Size: UK 16/US 12 Black
£349.00
AllSaints
-32%
Infinity Leather
Womens Classic Brando Biker Jacket-Loughton - Green Lamb Leather - Size 10 UK
£84.99
£124.99
Secret Sales
-29%
Infinity Leather
Womens Black Biker Jacket-Tamale - Size 18 UK
£120.99
£169.99
Secret Sales
A statement coat should be structured but effortless, dandy but not pretentious. You are fancy, and therefore deserve the fanciest coat!
Fat Face
FatFace Harley Burgundy Red Longline Puffer Coat
£140.00
FatFace
-30%
Fat Face
FatFace Bianca Grey Longline Teddy Coat
£84.00
£120.00
FatFace
AllSaints
Cotton/Modal Raffi Slim Fit Leggings, Size: XS Black
£59.00
AllSaints
-30%
Fat Face
FatFace Aubrey Blush Pink Structured Coat
£112.00
£160.00
FatFace
-50%
AllSaints
Wool Sellma Double Breasted Coat, Size: UK 14/US 10 Brown
£199.00
£399.00
AllSaints
-50%
GANT
Women Waxed Cotton Car Coat (XXL) DARK MOSS GREEN
£175.00
£350.00
GANT
-40%
AllSaints
Womens Wool Sidney Wool Cashmere Blend Tailored Coat, Size: UK 14/US 10 Black
£197.00
£329.00
AllSaints
3. Chunky sweaters and cardigans
Getty Images
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
-40%
Sandro
Sleeveless cable knit sweater Pink
£125.40
£209.00
Sandro
Polo Ralph Lauren
Cable-knit cotton sweater Blue
£200.00
Mytheresa
-10%
Polo Ralph Lauren
Cable Knit Jumper Pink
£176.18
£195.75
Miinto
Polo Ralph Lauren
Cable-knit cotton sweater White
£200.00
Mytheresa
-20%
Polo Ralph Lauren
Pony cable-knit wool and cashmere sweater White
£180.00
£225.00
Mytheresa
4. Shoes: from loafers to kitten heels
Getty Images
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
Lace-Up Ankle Boots - Unisex - Other Fibres/Leather/Rubber/Goose Down
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.
Miu Miu
Miu Wander matelasse leather shoulder bag
Russell & Bromley
CHORLTON TOTE Belted Structured Tote Black
£450.00
Russell & Bromley
-12%
Furla
BAGS - Handbags on YOOX.COM Silver
£165.00
£188.00
Yoox.com
Vivienne Westwood
Granny Frame leather tote bag Black
£255.00
Mytheresa
Laura di Maggio
BAGS - Handbags on YOOX.COM Brown
£150.00
Yoox.com
The Cambridge Satchel Company
The Mini Sophie - Cloud Blue Calf Grain
£415.00
Cambridge Satchel
-13%
Ermanno Scervino
BAGS - Handbags on YOOX.COM Silver
£98.00
£113.00
Yoox.com
Russell & Bromley
SUTTON LARGE Large Oval Shoulder Bag Black
£350.00
Russell & Bromley
-20%
Furla
BAGS - Handbags on YOOX.COM Blue
£168.00
£210.00
Yoox.com
A pair of wide-frame, rimmed glasses is another fantastic way to accessorise your preppy outfit.
Miu Miu
Glasses, female, Black, 52 MM, MU 03Yv Eyeglasses
-50%
Tom Ford
Ft6093B 001 Eyeglasses Black
£148.00
£296.00
Miinto
-55%
Tommy Hilfiger
Square Womens Blue Glitter Glasses - One Size
£53.00
£117.00
Secret Sales
-10%
Prada
Glasses, female, Blue, 53 MM, Eyewear Frames PR 19Wv
£195.76
£217.50
Miinto
-50%
Gucci
Optical Frame Red
£90.00
£179.00
Miinto
-50%
Carolina Herrera
Glasses, female, Black, 53 MM, Optical Frame
£83.00
£165.00
Miinto
-44%
Prada
Glasses, female, Blue, 53 MM, Optical Frame
£121.00
£218.00
Miinto
-25%
Saint Laurent
Square Sunglasses Black
£159.21
£212.28
Miinto
-45%
Prada
Glasses, female, Brown, 54 MM, PR B01V 17N1O1 Optical Frame
£159.00
£288.00
Miinto