Collars and cuffs
Yves Saint Laurent showcased a classic take on preppy; all smartly pressed collars on tailored blazers, and ladylike skirts teamed with pristine white shirts. Creases just won’t cut it for this high maintenance look – a trend made for class acts, like stunning socialite Olivia Palermo.
Snap up key pieces with an autumnal feel for an updated palette; try out mossy green tweeds and berry red leathers for a stylish alternative to drab greys and blues. Accessorise with a pair of stack heeled loafers and a fashionably weathered satchel.
Geek chic
Paul Smith unveiled a quirkier take on the trend for autumn/winter with pinstripe tailoring, sheer blouses and thick-framed glasses. There’s a hint of Harry Potter geek chic, but always worn with an air of cool. If Alexa Chung designed school uniforms, they’d probably look like this.
For a masterclass in preppy cool, team mannish Oxford brogues with clashing long socks or bright skinny trousers with a tweed blazer.
Freshers week fresh
The all-American squeaky clean look is synonymous with preppy fashion institutions like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. Season after season they bring their unique brand of varsity style to their devoted fanbase.
Join the red, white and blue parade by throwing chunky knit jumpers over polo shirts and pressing your best chinos - and you can’t go far wrong with an emblem-adorned blazer or cardigan. For after-school chic, try a two-tone varsity wool jacket slung over a pair of jeans for top marks in off-duty prep.
You do the math!
No need to break the bank, one of the most appealing things about this look is its value for money. Whether you want to go the whole hog or simply add a few extra curricular touches, invest in a few timeless pieces - like a pair of classic brogues or a tailored white shirt - and you’ll find yourself set for seasons to come.
Pair them up for preppy perfection or mix-and-match with your current wardrobe for impressive cost-per-wear value - you can’t argue with that kind of style mathematics!
