Do you want to wear well-groomed, sophisticated and preppy clothing? Just cultivate a simple and classic style, with a few key accessories to put your wardrobe together. However, looking preppy is more than just putting on a castle-colored polo shirt and a pair of boat shoes - it's giving off the aura of a specific and privileged lifestyle. Looking right is the key to being as preppy as you want.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Fashion
Step 1. Stick to a simple style
The preppy style is essentially made up of simple lines, high quality fabrics, precise sizes and modest cuts. Particularly flashy, complicated, or low-cut items aren't preppy. They could be called "attractive" or "flirty", which has nothing to do with the look you chose.
Step 2. Stay fresh and clean
Excellent personal hygiene is another pillar of the preppy style. Shower once a day, brush your teeth morning and night, moisturize your skin and put on deodorant. Furthermore:
- It smells fresh. Opt for a light, faint scent with a well-defined odor. Avoid those that are too elaborate or heavy. Classic floral scents are fine, but pick a scent and stick to that: deodorant and perfume from the same line, same goes for shampoo and conditioner, and other products you use.
- Stay hydrated. Keep your body (especially your face and hands) well hydrated so that the texture of your skin is smooth and soft. Get natural lotions and creams at the drugstore.
- Take care of your skin. Wash your face twice a day and follow a skincare plan that suits your skin. Do you suffer from acne? Get help from a dermatologist.
- Take care of your nails. Keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed short, and free of dirt and fungus. Apply a clear, light pink or classic red nail polish if you want to dye your nails - these are typically preppy colors. Whichever treatment you decide to use, make sure that the ends of your nails are clean, your cuticles shortened and that the nail polish does not chip.
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Take care of your beard and body hair. Shave your brows and give them a shape that isn't too subtle - opt for a natural arch (think Brooke Shields or Keira Knightley).
- If you are a girl, also take care of shaving your chin hair and mustache. Legs and armpits also need wax or razor.
- If you are a guy, avoid leaving your beard unkempt. If you want to wear a beard or mustache, make sure you look after them. In general, facial hair is not expected from the preppy style and neither is that of the armpits (they must be shaved). If you have chest hair, you should at least keep it at an acceptable length so it doesn't come off the collar of your shirt or shirt.
Look Preppy Step 3 Step 3. Build a classic wardrobe
When adding items to your closet, choose well-made items that will last for years and won't go out of style in six months. Here are some specific ideas to get you started:
- Identify the colors that suit you best. Everything in your wardrobe needs to compliment your skin tone. A great way to start is to see if pure white or natural white, i.e. ivory, suits you best. (If it's pure white, look for colors in cool tones; if it's natural white, look for warm shades.) Popular preppy colors include white, black, navy blue and beige, as well as bright shades like yellow, lime green, pink and lavender. Patterns such as checkerboard, nautical stripes, gingham, lozenges, floral motifs, cashmere, Burberry checks and tartan are also popular.
- Buy clothes that fit you to size, so not too loose or too tight. Ignore the size on the label and try everything in the dressing room. If a dress needs alterations, go to a tailor - you won't regret the money spent on this service.
- The key pieces to keep in the closet? A few pairs of quality trousers (cotton, corduroy, chino fabric), a few polo shirts or oxford shirts in neutral colors, a classic cardigan or cable sweater, a fitted jacket (such as a trench coat or a sailor suit) and a pair of good shoes, like a pair of boat shoes or ballet flats. Starting from these articles it will be easy to add the others.
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Keep building your wardrobe. As you get used to the preppy style, add more items to the wardrobe (when your budget allows). Here are some possibilities to consider:
- Polo shirt.
- Oxford shirts (unlike polo shirts, they should always have long sleeves).
- Rugby shirts
- Cable-knit sweaters, both sleeveless and long-sleeved (traditional cricket sweaters)
- A jacket or blazer (navy blue is a must; in summer, go for striped crinkled fabric or madras; in winter, opt for tweed and corduroy).
- Chino fabric trousers.
- Khaki pants (the preppy equivalent of jeans)
- Shorts (khaki, madras, striped crinkled fabric, linen or preppy prints and patterns).
- Skirts (khaki, checkered, striped crinkled fabric, linen or preppy prints and patterns).
- Afternoon dresses and summer dresses (plaid patterns, preppy colors, ruffled striped fabric or linen).
- Sweaters, skirts and dresses inspired by tennis and golf.
- For girls: ballet flats, boat shoes, shoes with bows or canvas, leather sandals with high heels and wedges.
- For boys: classic moccasins, in leather, suede or boat shoes. Leather sandals only on the beach. The main colors for elegant (formal) shoes are black and brown.
- Get to know the preppy brands: J. Press, Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Jack Rogers, L. L. Bean, Tommy Hilfiger, Vineyard Vines, Lacoste, Nantucket Brand, Burberry, J. Crew, Lilly Pulitzer, Lands End, Smathers & Branson and Tucker Blair. If you can't buy clothes from these brands, you will find similar ones on the market. American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister are not preppy brands.
- Know what to avoid. For a classic preppy style, learn to avoid any flashy or low-cut garments. Tops and skirts shouldn't be too short and pants shouldn't be too loose. In addition, avoid brands that exaggerate their name, fake fur, artificial diamonds or excess ripples.
- Take care of your wardrobe. Many garments need to be hand washed or dry cleaned. Check the labels before washing and follow them to the letter.
Look Preppy Step 4 Step 4. Accessorize
When adding new items, remember to stay simple and classy. The preppy style is not ideal for those seeking attention. Most girls only have pierced ears (and only one in each ear) and wear snap earrings. Here are some other tips:
- Necklaces, pearl earrings, and diamonds are a must, as well as diamond jewelry (make sure they're small, don't look fake, cheap, or tacky). Typically, girls wear diamond and pearl jewelry that belonged to mothers, grandmothers or aunts.
- Small bags with simple colors and patterns or spacious monagrammed bags (L. L. Bean and Lands' End are good choices). Vera Bradley's bags and wallets are very preppy but make sure you choose the right pattern (in preppy colors).
- For both striped belts in a variety of preppy prints, patterns and colors, while mainly for boys black, navy blue or brown leather belts.
Look Preppy Step 5 Step 5. Style your hair in a classic and natural way
Whatever you choose, make your style look neat and moderate. Consider the following points:
- Keep your natural color. Or, if you really don't like it, just dye a few shades in any direction (lighter, darker, redder, more copper, more ash, more golden). Avoid platinum blonde, jet black, and bright red (unless these shades are close to your natural color). If you dye your hair, touch up the roots every 6 to 8 weeks.
- Check them every 6-8 weeks at the hairdresser or on your own to prevent or eliminate split ends.
- Cut the tips. Book an appointment at the hairdresser to have your hair cut every 6-8 weeks, or do it yourself. Either way, the ends of your hair should never look shaggy or broken.
- If you are a boy, keep your hair relatively short. Your hair shouldn't be long enough to make a ponytail (ideally, it should be short enough to cover your ears). Use wax or foam to shape them and avoid the wet look, as it requires too much gel.
- If you are a girl, avoid too much layered haircuts. A blunt cut is a classic, but you can add layers around the face. But don't back it down too much.
- If you are a girl, style them according to classic hairstyles. Go for a high ponytail held in by a ribbon, or you can go for a tight French braid. If you want to do something better, keep them simple and neat, like in a bun. If you wear them loose, put on a headband (silk / satin or rigid and fitted with ribbons) or some hairpins and pins.
Look Preppy Step 6 Step 6. If you are a girl, use light makeup
Makeup should also be as natural and neat as possible. Apply a light foundation of your own skin tone, a touch of mascara mascara and lip gloss. You can also apply some blush, light eyeliner and coral or red lip liner. Avoid heavy lines of eyeliner, lumps of mascara and anything sparkly (eyeshadow and lipstick), and bright eyeshadow. Remember: makeup should bring out your natural beauty, not hide it.
Part 2 of 2: Lifestyle
Look Preppy Step 7 Step 1. Be polite
Your style and behavior should go hand in hand - it should be honest, easygoing, and cheerful. Say "please" and "thank you", and avoid cursing and slang. Learn to have a polite conversation without mentioning religion, money or politics, and avoid giving too much away about yourself.
- If you are a boy, keep the door for others and take off your hat when entering a place. Don't tell vulgar jokes in front of girls.
- Don't be picky, refuse to talk to people, or belittle other people's opinions. Gracefully circumvent issues you hate and avoid gossiping about someone in public or in the presence of casual acquaintances.
- Practice excellent table manners. Learn how to use cutlery and how to eat politely. Read a bon ton book or ask a friend.
- Respect people older than you. Show respect especially for the elderly and do not answer rudely to your parents and family members who are older than you.
Look Preppy Step 8 Step 2. Practice good posture
Stand straight, even when sitting. The way you walk communicates that you are confident and composed.
Look Preppy Step 9 Step 3. Socialize
Most prepsters have a large social circle and are committed to meeting these people often at parties and other events. When taking part in a rendezvous with a lot of people, try to have a quick conversation with everyone you know and let the positive interactions follow.
Look Preppy Step 10 Step 4. Pay attention in school
Do you know what English expression the adjective "preppy" comes from? Prepsters are called this because they usually attend preparatory schools, where excellent grades are required. In class, take careful notes in class and do your homework on time. However, don't lock yourself in your room studying while the other prepsters go out to have fun.
Look Preppy Step 11 Step 5. Try a preppy sport
The list includes tennis, golf, rugby, polo, lacrosse, rowing, swimming, sailing, squash, fencing, ballet, volleyball and track and field (mainly, cross country and ran), and horseback riding. Find something you like, and use it as an excuse to keep fit and make new friends.
Wear quality clothing when you train. Don't just put on a pair of sweatpants and a shirt
Look Preppy Step 12 Step 6. Take care of yourself
The classic profile of a prepster is slim and fit. Drink lots of water, eat healthy and get plenty of physical activity. Having discipline in nutrition and exercise shows that you are reliable and disciplined in other ways as well.
Advice
- The preppy style is essentially a neat, well balanced and solid style, which can be achieved by combining the right colors, the right patterns and the right accessories. It is never cheap, obvious or exaggerated. Simple, classic and refined.
- Don't change overnight, or they'll think you have no personality. Better to proceed with one pole at a time.
- Don't insult other people's clothing tastes - it's rude and disrespectful.
- Avoid bags that have logos all over the place, as they make you look too flashy and you seem to be trying too hard. Keep it simple. Many preppy girls don't wear bags, but they pack everything in their backpack.
- Never talk about money. Respectable prepsters never talk about money because it's rude and it's not classy. If you are talking to someone who struts for their bank account or house, stay calm.
- Don't be fake and stay true to yourself. Don't copy another person's wardrobe or style.
- Being preppy is not about clothes or social status. It means being dignified and showing respect for those around you, and keeping older traditions alive than any living person today.
- If a prepster comes over and compliments you, thank you. You can answer that you like her style and that she inspires others to dress them right. Remember to be short and concise.
- The change to preppy will have to be gradual.
- Don't think that being preppy means dressing up as an older person!
- A prepster is not always as skinny as a model but most certainly has some muscle tone.
- Get involved with the community. Join country clubs if possible.
