Plain colored t-shirts in white, navy blue, pastel colors, red, and neutrals Solid or striped blouses in bright, eye-catching colors like pink, blue and white Dark wash skinny jeans and khaki pants Plain colored cardigans in pastel or basic colors Navy, black, or white colored blazers Solid color chino shorts in khaki, navy, or white Riding boots, boat shoes, and basic ballet flats
Some popular preppy brands to get inspiration from are Vineyard Vines, Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, Lacoste, Kate Spade, Lilly Pulitzer, Kendra Scott, Simply Southern, Ann Taylor Loft, Tommy Hilfiger, and J. Crew. It’s easy to find affordable, preppy-style items at stores like Target, Old Navy, and T. J. Maxx. At these stores, you can get the look you want without spending quite as much money on the designer name!
For a nice dinner out in the summer, you could wear a printed skirt, solid shirt to match, a bright statement necklace, and strappy sandals For school in the winter, you can wear red and white striped sweater layered over a light chambray shirt, dark-wash skinny jeans, brown leather riding boots, and ruffled socks. For school in the springtime, you can wear a pair of floral chino shorts with a matching colored polo tucked in, a brown belt, and a pair of boat shoes. On a casual summer day, wear a short sleeve t-shirt, white chino shorts, with a matching pair of canvas sneakers, and statement headband. During the colder months, wear a long sleeve shirt or blouse, dark wash skinny jeans, riding boots, a warm headband, and layer a fuzzy jacket over top.
You can pair a neutral-colored tote bag with almost any outfit, and they’re extremely functional, especially for going to work or class! Sleek belts in black, navy, red, or tan can help to pull a look together and accentuate your waist. Add a statement necklace to an outfit to draw attention to your upper body and face. This is a great accessory to spice up plain outfits like jeans and a t-shirt. Wear plain earrings, like studs, to complement your look. For a fancier event, you can wear a matching necklace and earring set. Nautical rope bracelets are very popular for casual wear, as well as metal bangle charm bracelets. They come in different colors and can complete a more muted outfit.
For a plain, cute look, wear your hair down and natural with a barrette or bobby pin holding some hair off to the side. Accessorize a curled look with a statement headband. Plain headbands tend to blend better with the classic preppy stereotype. Bright, colored bands might be too much. Do sleek braids in your hair to keep it out of your face on days where you’re busy. Pull your hair into a medium-height ponytail with a bow for a quick and simple hairdo.
If you get breakouts often, which are sometimes inevitable, use a face wash that is specifically formulated for acne treatment. If you have sensitive skin, look for an unscented cleanser to avoid irritating your face, which can make skincare difficult.
Apply your concealer and foundation in areas where you have redness or breakouts. If you’re comfortable with your natural skin, you don’t have to wear foundation at all. Avoid using bright or dark eyeshadow colors. For a clean and classic preppy look, apply a light brown color all over your lid before applying eyeliner and mascara. Make sure your mascara doesn’t clump. If it does, select a mascara with a smoother formula or use a wand with smaller bristles. Use a light pink or red blush on the apples of your cheeks to give you a pretty glow. Apply light pink or neutral colored lipstick for everyday looks. On days where you want to stand out, use bright red lipstick with blue undertones.
If your teeth have a natural yellow tint to them, you might try teeth whitening. There are many different options for whitening, so you should talk to your dentist before trying a new method.
If you’re not good at applying polish or trimming your nails, consider getting a basic or gel manicure once or twice per month. Avoid long acrylic nails, which can get dirty easily and tend to look less professional. Gel nail polish will last longer than a basic manicure, but tends to be slightly more expensive. For regular nail maintenance like trimming, filing, and cuticle care, you can get a manicure without polish or with clear polish.
A good perfume is especially helpful for hot summer days when you might sweat a lot. It can help you to smell good all day long!
If you have problems with low self esteem, changing your style might be the first step to gaining some confidence in yourself.
It can be difficult to remain classy, especially if your friends aren’t always. Try your hardest to always be pleasant and have a smile on your face.
It can be difficult to remain classy, especially if your friends aren’t always. Try your hardest to always be pleasant and have a smile on your face.
Anything that gets you moving and makes you feel good is a positive addition to your style, so don’t feel confined to a list of a few “preppy” sports if they don’t interest you.
If you see another person is struggling, try to help them out. Going out of your way to help someone is kind and can really go a long way toward making them feel good.
