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.
-37%
Fat Face
FatFace Leanna Black Leather Jacket
£125.00
£199.00
FatFace
Fat Face
FatFace Bethany Burgundy Red Quilted Biker Jacket
£199.00
FatFace
-15%
Infinity Leather
Womens Burgundy Biker Jacket - Delhi - Size 14 UK Red
£79.99
£93.59
Secret Sales
Reiss
Black Leather Collarless Biker Jacket, 12
£328.00
Reiss
-15%
Infinity Leather
Womens Apple Green Classic Brando Biker Jacket - Broome - Lime Green Lamb Leather - Size 20 UK
£109.99
£129.99
Secret Sales
Ralph Lauren
Tan Leather jacket Size L Orange
£300.00
HEWI
-15%
Infinity Leather
Womens Fuschia Pink Brando Biker Jacket-Loddon Lamb Leather - Size 10 UK
£109.99
£129.99
Secret Sales
A statement coat should be structured but effortless, dandy but not pretentious. You are fancy, and therefore deserve the fanciest coat!
-30%
Rains
Womens Rains Curve Long Womens Jacket - 47 Navy - Size: 10/8 Blue
£83.30
£119.00
lovethesales
-50%
Fat Face
FatFace Aubrey Blush Pink Structured Coat
£80.00
£160.00
FatFace
-25%
Rains
Womens Rains Curve Long Womens Jacket - 03 Green - Size: 14
£89.25
£119.00
lovethesales
-49%
Reiss
Mink Wool-blend Belted Blindseam Coat, 12
£198.00
£390.00
Reiss
-23%
Joules
Womens Joules PORTWELL Waterproof Hoodie Raincoat With Adjustable Waist Oxblood - Red - Size: 10
£68.90
£89.00
lovethesales
-51%
Reiss
Neutral Check Wool-blend Single-breasted Coat, 10
£178.00
£360.00
Reiss
-40%
Ganni
Black XXL Banana Print Tote
£117.00
£195.00
GANNI
-46%
Fat Face
FatFace Fern Navy Boucle Coat
£65.00
£120.00
FatFace
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 Stripe-intarsia Knit Cardigan - Red - S (UK8-10 / S)
-10%
-40%
Polo Ralph Lauren
Cable-knit cotton sweater Blue
£120.00
£200.00
Mytheresa
-31%
Levi's
Leilah Cable Crewneck Sweater - Womens - XS - Black
£45.00
£65.00
Levi's
-30%
Polo Ralph Lauren
Cable-knit wool-blend sweater vest White
£175.00
£250.00
Mytheresa
-68%
Coach
Womens Crewneck Cable Knit Sweater - Black - Size X-Small
£89.00
£275.00
Secret Sales
-30%
Varley
Pixie cable-knit sweater vest Beige
£70.00
£100.00
Mytheresa
-50%
Jardin Des Orangers
Cable-knit wool and cashmere sweater Yellow
£162.00
£325.00
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
Hillary leather lace-up loafers - Brown
£129.00
FARFETCH
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
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.
-10%
Anya Hindmarch
Maud Clutch - female - Anya Hindmarch - Clutches - White - ONE SIZE - Bags
£441.00
£490.00
Miinto
-40%
Saint Laurent
Grey Heart Mesh Mini Bag - Womens - Brass Silver
£981.00
£1,635.00
Browns
Bottega Veneta
The Mini Pouch Kiwi Nappa Clutch Bag
£950.00
HEWI
Dolce & Gabbana
Marlene Frame Tote Bag - Womens - Leather Black
£2,850.00
Browns
Marchesa
Black Crystal Embellished Satin Box Clutch
£215.00
HEWI
-53%
Burberry
Womens Monogram Mini Beach Tote Bag - Blue/Multi - Size: UNI
£546.25
£1,150.00
lovethesales
A pair of wide-frame, rimmed glasses is another fantastic way to accessorise your preppy outfit.
Miu Miu
MU 08Xv Square Frame - unisex - Miu Miu - Glasses - Black - 54 MM - Accessories
Tiffany & Co.
TF4230 8001D9 Womens Sunglasses Black Size 54
£178.00
SmartBuyGlasses
Miu Miu
MU09WS 21C40O Womens Sunglasses Tortoiseshell Size 53 Red
£197.00
SmartBuyGlasses
-10%
Miu Miu
MUA06S 14L4I0 Womens Sunglasses Tortoiseshell Size 54 Yellow
£176.00
SmartBuyGlasses
-10%
Miu Miu
MU11WS 21C40O Womens Sunglasses Tortoiseshell Size 54 Red
£197.00
SmartBuyGlasses
