Preppy Comeback
At the end of last year, grunge style made a hard comeback. Now it looks like the absolute polar opposite is here to start off 2023. Yes, the preppy look is back and whether it’s here to stay or just stopping by to remind us who’s boss, we have some thoughts and styling tips useful to mastering this trend.
For one, when we think of preppy we think of the movie Clueless. Remember Cher Horowitz and her bff Dionne? They absolutely hit the nail on the head when it came to dressing chic, 90s and of course, preppy. They had a twist though; bright colors, short mini skirts and white ankle socks were the pillars to creating their preppy looks for the film, but is it really that easy to ace this trend? As if! No, we’re only joking, but there are a few more tips we have to make this look your own.
You have to think what “preppy” looks like in today’s age. One item crucial to this look is the loafer. Classic black penny loafers paired with slouchy ankle socks is the cornerstone to the preppy look. But, have fun with it. There are so many different styles of loafers out there to remix the preppy look and make it your own. We really like platform loafers because they’re good for the girls out there that love their heels for added height and they also add an edgy twist to the whole preppy look. We also like switching out our black loafers for a chestnut brown loafer with a matching woodblock heel for a softer approach to this trend. Choosing to wear ankle socks or even crew socks with your loafers is a safe choice and will certainly achieve the look but we also like to add a sheer knee high sock for a sexier and edgier vibe as well.
Taking a cue from Cher and Dionne and wearing patterns like checkered plaid in bright colors is one way to approach the preppy comeback but when we think of what preppy looks like today, we’re taking a slightly different approach. A classic oversized blazer or even an oversized leather jacket paired with a white tee or tank is a great way to style the modern day preppy outfit. When we think about a prep school inspired look in today’s society, we think simplicity and cleanliness. What makes a look “preppy?” A touch of business, a dash of innocence and a sprig of conservativeness is the perfect formula to follow and in this case adding in a blazer with an untraditional fit is a great piece to have on hand.
So, still really hooked on those miniskirts from Clueless? Good news, you don’t have to leave those in the 90s but we have a more elevated approach to offer. For one, the checkered print is a bit too obvious for 2023 so instead we’re sticking with classic simplicity. Opt for a mini skirt in khaki or channel your inner Rachel Green and go with a dark charcoal gray mini. Today’s preppy look is sophisticated, mature and a touch of sexiness. We’re taking what Cher did in Clueless and simply updating it for modern standards of chicness. We also like the idea of adding a short to our preppy look and we’re going with a mid thigh short in neutral tones and even fun textures like leather. If you want to add a bit of street style to your look, try a gym short like a biker short or even a sweat short for a more laid back look.
What do you think of today’s interpretation of the “preppy” look? Did we hit it on the head with our styling tips or are you sticking to the real experts like Cher and Dionne? Let us know what you think of our tips and tricks and how you would style this hottest trend of 2023.