Men’s Fashion: Preppy Style Basics
Ivy League tuition today might be as outrageous as it’s always been, but that’s never kept anyone from dressing the part of one who could afford it. Men’s fashion has a very long relationship with the preppy aesthetic, if all the recurring trends are any indication. It’s easy to see why. The style is elegantly eccentric without losing any of the sophistication. It goes from Sunday brunch to Monday working breakfast with no changes needed.
Classic and Clean
One of the signatures of the preppy look is its emphasis on clean, simple fashions. There are barely any unnecessary accessories on an Ivy League outfit; any item that’s there was most likely very expensive and passed on from dad or uncle.
A clean shirt in some light solid pastel should be a very familiar place to start. Pastels are a timeless choice for this particular market, referring their preference for the lively but restrained. Pique polo shirts are also a very popular alternative if you don’t plan to wear a necktie anytime soon. The latter option has the added advantage of offering more colors and patterns; a rugby stripe is especially effective for channeling the right image.
Pair this with a flat front pair of chinos in any of the colors they offer today (they go from white to khaki to black, depending on where you shop). Blue jeans, although worn by many a preppy guy, are simply too rough and casual for the elegant, put-together man.
East Coast Style Challenges
Not all of the cornerstone pieces of the preppy wardrobe, however, are easy for average Joes to pull off. Some, in fact, have long been considered do-not-touch fashions by many men for the longest time. Those same pieces are surprisingly easy to master.
White jeans, for example, are dreaded by many guys, yet are signature items in any Prep boy’s closet. What’s not to like? The color keeps you fresh and cool, but masks the tough and rough character of the fabric itself. When paired with the right colors, it also makes the whole outfit pop and become much more visually appealing.
Start with a slim fit pair of white jeans and tonal bucks or desert boots. It’s a pair that will go well with anything from pastels (to emphasize the white) or brights (to underline the color). White has a tendency to look more voluminous than it really is – the opposite of black, if you’d noticed – so working with more relaxed fits takes some practice.
Prep man shoes have also been a subject of fascination in the fashion world for ages. The classic choice is usually a pair of penny loafers over lace-ups, but driving shoes, boat shoes and any pair of canvas kicks should earn you preppy points as well.
And then there’s the outerwear, long considered the distinguishing factor between the Hamptons and the rest of the world. Knits are a big thing in preppy style, so get all the kind you can get your hands on. V-necks, crew-necks, vests and even neckties should all fit quite nicely into the themed wardrobe. Keep the colors classic and the fabric light, and no one need ever know that you never even came remotely near Ivy League.
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