History
Preppy fashion has its roots in the Ivy League style of dress, which started around 1912 and became more established in the late 1950's. In the mid-twentieth century J. Press and Brooks Brothers both had stores on Ivy League school campuses, including Harvard, Princeton, and Yale. Preppy fashion became popular in the 1970's with cues from the original Ivy League style. Some typical preppy styles also reflect traditional upper class New England leisure activities, such as polo, sailing, hunting,fencing, crew rowing, lacrosse, golf, rugby, and swimming. This association with outdoor activities can be seen in preppy fashion, through stripes and colors, equestrian clothing, plaid shirts, field jackets, and nautical-themed accessories. By the 1980's, brands such as Lacoste, Izod, and Dooney & Bourke became associated with preppy style. For professional women, preppy-influenced fashions became dominant beginning in the 1960's. The classic styles include tailored skirt suits, low heels, wrap dresses, shift dresses, silk or cotton blouses, and jewelry with a refined style.
In recent years, newer outfitters such as Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, and Vineyard Vines are also frequently perceived as having preppy styles, with designers such as Marc Jacobs and Luella Bartley adding the preppy style into their clothes in the 1990's. New York City maintains itself as the headquarters for most preppy clothing lines, such as J. Press, Daniel Cremieux, Ralph Lauren, and Kate Spade New York, and demonstrates prep subculture as a reflection of Northeastern culture. Examples of preppy attire include argyle sweaters, crew neck sweaters, grosgrain or woven leather belts, chinos, madras, Nantucket Reds, button down Oxford cloth shirts, seersucker cotton suiting, pearl necklaces and earrings, gold bangle or large chain bracelets, penny loafers, and boat shoes.
In recent years, newer outfitters such as Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, and Vineyard Vines are also frequently perceived as having preppy styles, with designers such as Marc Jacobs and Luella Bartley adding the preppy style into their clothes in the 1990's. New York City maintains itself as the headquarters for most preppy clothing lines, such as J. Press, Daniel Cremieux, Ralph Lauren, and Kate Spade New York, and demonstrates prep subculture as a reflection of Northeastern culture. Examples of preppy attire include argyle sweaters, crew neck sweaters, grosgrain or woven leather belts, chinos, madras, Nantucket Reds, button down Oxford cloth shirts, seersucker cotton suiting, pearl necklaces and earrings, gold bangle or large chain bracelets, penny loafers, and boat shoes.