Preppy
aka Ivy League, WASP Style, East Coast Prep
"American privilege, polished and traditional"
Classic American East Coast style rooted in Ivy League universities and country club culture. Timeless, polished, and privileged.
Atmosphere
The sensory world of Preppy
Yacht clubs, tennis courts, Cape Cod summers, alumni events
Philosophy
Tradition matters, class is eternal, good breeding shows
Who Lives Here
The character archetypes that embody Preppy
The Legacy Student
The Country Club Member
The Socialite
What It Rejects
Preppy exists in opposition to:
Trends
Flashiness
Anything too fashion-forward
Daily Rituals
The practices and behaviors that define this way of living
Monogramming everything
Summer in Nantucket
Alumni networking
Tennis whites
Origin
Emerged from 1950s Northeastern prep schools and Ivy League campuses, codified in "The Official Preppy Handbook" (1980).
Era
1950s-Present
Regions
New England, Hamptons, Nantucket
Trend Score
Key Elements
Key Garments
- •Cable knit sweaters
- •Polo shirts
- •Chinos
- •Boat shoes
- •Blazers
- •Pearls
- •Grosgrain belts
- •Headbands
Silhouettes
- •Classic
- •Tailored
- •Conservative
Color Palette
Classic American palette of country clubs and regattas
Primary Colors
Secondary Colors
Accent Colors
Key Brands
Materials
Cultural Context
Ivy League tradition, country club culture, old American money, WASP identity