Lisa Birnbach once wrote, “The best fashion statement is not a fashion statement.” But she’ll admit that even the preppy poet laureate she has an unspoken dress code to follow.
In 1980, Official Preppy Handbook was published, wardrobe essentials included sporty fisherman sweaters, flannel-lined khakis, and extreme madras. true preparation The rule “Don’t be witty with T-shirt slogans” has been updated with the times.
In its early years, designers have been reviving, remixing, and reinterpreting the building blocks of traditional American collegiate fashion for an increasingly nostalgic TikTok generation, and perhaps many of their parents. Miu Miu paved the way with its spring collection of ultra-cropped knits and pleated miniskirts in mini lengths that double as belts. Thom Browne has unveiled his Football His Capsule Collection for the 2022-3 academic year Artist in His Residence, his alma mater Notre Dame Cathedral. In Gucci’s final collection, Alessandro Michele dressed the pair of twins in a white-tipped blazer, his classic blue Oxford shirt, and his floppy tie.
A new take on Miu Miu’s #campuscore.
And at Coach, Stuart Vevers took apart an Aran sweater to reveal a patchwork blazer in mismatched shades, and a red Nantucket varsity jacket and leather shorts.try to find that Combo with Murray’s Toggery. “I often go back to my college references because they’re so unique to American style,” says Vevers. Even though I didn’t grow up in America, TV and movies are ingrained in my brain.”
While the “traditional” style has never completely gone out of fashion, it’s always on the moodboards of Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, every generation has its version of prep refracted through the pop culture lens of the era. . It’s Ali MacGraw in his belted camel coat.of love storyJames Spader’s white linen suit pretty in pinkfeaturing Dylan Handley’s Prim Pearl metropolitanthe original Leighton Meester luxury headband collection gossip girl.
Ali McGraw in a belted camel coat love story.
Is it a coincidence that Campus Core is soaring again? gossip girl 2.0 Enjoying Season 2 on HBO Max?
“Absolutely not,” says Eric Daman, costume designer for the series and its early predecessor. I am just mimicking.”
Dammann’s original interpretation of prep school uniforms in Michael Bloomberg-era New York included a pleated Marc by Marc Jacobs skirt layered over brightly colored tights. made him a kingmaker. By topping his resident Queen Bee look with a sparkling Jennifer Bear headband, he more-or-less single-handedly jump-started the hair accessory trend.
Alessandro Michele’s last Gucci show.
excess of gossip girl Fantasy provided an escape from the economic turmoil of that era. Part of it is still in the air today, so Daman returns to the well. Now pairing an oversized varsity jacket and biker shorts from Saint Laurent with Louis Vuitton’s bag, it’s the new Upper East Side It Girl for the fictional Constance named Julian Calloway. billard school.
True Prep: A Whole New Old World
True Prep: A Whole New Old World
“It’s not just twins and pearls,” he says. “The new generation is carrying on that tradition and giving it a twist on Gen Z.” bottom.
For Kim, prep school style is simple. “I think it’s pretty sexy, to be honest,” she says. “When you’re actually that age, you don’t have the budget to make the whole look. I always want to go back because I feel like I’m not really getting it out of my system.
This story appears in the February 2023 issue Town & Country. Register now
