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.
Fat Face
FatFace Quilted Biker Jacket in Burgundy Red
£199.00
FatFace
-37%
Fat Face
FatFace Leanna Black Leather Jacket
£125.00
£199.00
FatFace
-22%
VSP
Leather Jackets, female, Red, S, Isla - Cherry Leather Jacket
£474.16
£604.66
Miinto
-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
-8%
BTF-CPH
Leather Jackets, female, Brown, S, Antique Brown Biker Jacket
£253.81
£275.88
Miinto
-29%
Infinity Leather
Womens Chestnut Biker Jacket-Reynosa - Brown Nappa Leather - Size 16 UK
£119.99
£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!
-43%
Fat Face
FatFace Bianca Grey Longline Teddy Coat
£69.00
£120.00
FatFace
-39%
Rains
Womens Rains Curve Long Womens Jacket - 47 Navy - Size: 10/8 Blue
£72.79
£119.00
lovethesales
-50%
Fat Face
FatFace Aubrey Blush Pink Structured Coat
£80.00
£160.00
FatFace
-54%
Reiss
Chocolate Brown Check Wool-blend Houndstooth Coat, 18
£158.00
£340.00
Reiss
-43%
Fat Face
FatFace Harley Black Longline Puffer Coat
£80.00
£140.00
FatFace
-50%
Ganni
Shiny Quilt Midi Jacket - Size XXS/XS Green
£190.00
£380.00
GANNI
-60%
Elle
Womens Emma Festival Mac in Sand - Size 14 UK Beige
£59.99
£149.00
Secret Sales
-49%
Reiss
Mink Wool-blend Belted Blindseam Coat, 12
£198.00
£390.00
Reiss
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 Stripe-intarsia Knit Cardigan - Red - S (UK8-10 / S)
Charles & Keith
Apolline Textured Top-Zip Wallet Black
£35.00
Charles & Keith
Bloch
BLOCH Ladies Bianca 3/4 Sleeve Sweater, Cherry
£39.00
BLOCH
Charles & Keith
Apolline Textured Top-Zip Wallet Grey
£35.00
Charles & Keith
-5%
Polo Ralph Lauren
Round-neck Knitwear, female, Blue, L, Round-neck Knitwear
£177.70
£187.05
Miinto
-40%
Varley
Camello cable-knit half-zip sweater Beige
£90.00
£150.00
Mytheresa
-5%
Polo Ralph Lauren
Cable Knit Jumper Pink
£177.70
£187.05
Miinto
-30%
Polo Ralph Lauren
Cable-knit cotton sweater Blue
£140.00
£200.00
Mytheresa
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
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.
-26%
DeMellier
The Paris in Black Smooth Leather Crossbody bag
£345.00
£465.00
DeMellier
Charles & Keith
Enola Canvas Long-Handle Shoulder Bag Brown
£79.00
Charles & Keith
-21%
DeMellier
The Paris in Tan Smooth Leather Crossbody bag Brown
£345.00
£435.00
DeMellier
-54%
Globe-Trotter
Handbags, female, Black, ONE SIZE, Centenary Case
£691.65
£1,508.58
Miinto
-30%
Jil Sander
Goji Bamboo Small Handbag Black
£1,180.00
£1,690.00
Labels
Coach
Kisslock Frame Bag 16 Black
£375.00
Coach
-10%
Prada
Sunglasses, female, Yellow, 59 MM, Geometric Sunglasses with Triangular Logo Plate
£305.38
£339.31
Miinto
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
-44%
Prada
Glasses, female, Blue, 53 MM, Optical Frame
£121.00
£218.00
Miinto
Charles & Keith
Renee Butterfly Sunglasses Black
£75.00
Charles & Keith
-30%
Swarovski
Glasses, unisex, Black, 53 MM, Sk2051 Vista Frame
£97.44
£139.20
Miinto
Charles & Keith
Daenerys Cat-Eye Sunglasses
£75.00
Charles & Keith
-50%
Gucci
Optical Frame Red
£90.00
£179.00
Miinto
-8%
Ray-Ban
Glasses, female, Black, 51 MM, Stylish Eyeglasses 0Rx7046 5364
£109.65
£119.19
Miinto
-45%
Dolce & Gabbana
Glasses, female, White, 56 MM, Optical Frame
£136.00
£248.00
Miinto
-10%
Swarovski
Glasses, female, Yellow, 55 MM, Optical Frame
£195.76
£217.50
Miinto
