Good afternoon, Thursday. It's HAWT like woah in New York today, and all the girly cues are out sporting some major skin, much to the delight of our men folk right here in the 212. Spring has long since sprung and Summer is here. And though hazy, hot, and humid is not exactly my weather of choice, I'll take it.
And since it's Thursday and throwbackish, I thought I'd take it back to my high school days when the preppy thing was all the fuck everywhere- of particular not was something I remember as "sloppy prep" - think cute boys in rumpled button downs, vintage crewneck sweaters, beat up khaki shorts and Sperrys driving Volvo Wagons or Jettas. I loved this type back in the day, even if my high school was largely comprised of Metalheads and Guidos.
I always had a thing for the preppy mystique, and not just because my zip code had anything but. It's also because for me, preppy was something I could never truly pull off. Yea, I had my LL Bean fisherman sweater and a couple of pairs of mocs from the same brand, but my body type interprets head to toe prep more like gym teacher than taking Ivy. I always found preppy to be more suited to girls built more like Jackie and less like Marilyn, don't you agree? As much as I've always had wasp envy, I simply can't pull it off, and that's a fact.
But what I feel pretty good about pulling off, even though my great great grandparents were not cruising to America on the Mayflower, is this new and super cute retooled preppy thing happening. It's a mix of girl/boy tomboy cuteness and I adore it. I'm not a girl who likes to look prim or prissy, and the looks below are really sensational and still somehow feel sexy while maintaining a freshness that is perfect for summer. Prep appeal has the same feeling as a gin and tonic in August- refreshing, cool, and right as rain. As I get older, I appreciate classic dressing more and more, and now that I have more confidence in my style, I love doing the classics with my own unique POV. To me, the poster gals for this look are Jena Lyons and Gwyneth in "The Royal Tennenbaums". And say what you will about Ms. Taylor Swift (believe me I have plenty to say about her), but how insanely cute does she look on a recent trip to Newport with that Hailee whomever looking tots cute as well? I'm loving the neatness, the show of leg, the tomboyish appeal of a look that never really goes out of style. And I like how boyish clothes can tone down the curves, if you do them properly. Take some cues from the pics I'll pulled and you'll be channeling this newfangled preppydom in no time.
And what's even more genius about the look is its attainability- more spendy French brands like APC and Agnes B. may capture that Euro prep thing perfectly, but more down to earth brands like Madewell, J. Crew, and the Gap have it down when it comes to preppy basics like khakis and button downs and cute striped tees. And if you're feeling super thrifty, go in your man's closet and steel some button downs- combine with some costume pearls or gold pieces like a monogram necklace and you are SOLID. Plus I've been seeing so many cute loafers and oxfords everywhere- try some white leather wingtips with no laces with a cute dress and you're rocking some serious style. And if all of this still feels too Delta Delta Delta for you, why not pair some of these pieces with those Converse I posted yesterday? I dig on the mix of prep and rock and roll. It's good times. And one of my fav brands serving up a cool new preppy look is Emerson Fry, whose silhouettes below of simple shirt dresses are just the cat's meow and ripe for personal interpretation.
Cause that's what's up this preppy handbook of a Thursday on the classic isle of Manhattan, old sport. Tennis anyone? XO