A combination of elegance and comfort - men's preppy style

Jeans with a T-shirt are comfortable, sometimes stylish, but very banal. A formal business suit is elegant, but not always comfortable and completely out of place in everyday life. Preppy dressing for men is more interesting and fashionable than the t-shirt and jeans look that many people prefer, but not so formal as to be considered boring. He is a “frequent guest” on the catwalks. The combination of elegance, casual gloss and convenience allows this fashion trend to confidently compete with other current trends. Let's learn about the characteristics of preppy and its history.

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A little about the history and features of the preppy style

So the style of casual clothing, preppy, gained the greatest popularity in the 80s of the last century. Well, until that time, wardrobe itemsetraditional styles were part of the uniform for students at elite private schools and students at Ivy League universities. Classic blazers or sweaters for sports with the emblem of the school on the chest were a source of special pride.

Wearing a uniform has been typical for students at prestigious institutions since the beginning of the 20th century. And in the 40s, an elite subculture arose in America, the representatives of which were children from rich and influential families.

Reference. The name was derived from the name of the special courses that schoolchildren had to take before entering the university - preparatory school. The students were called “preppy” for short. Then the subculture began to be called this way, one of the signs of which is wearing a certain form of clothing.

What was it like to come from an influential family and study at a prestigious institution? His origin and place of study left a certain imprint not only on his appearance, but also on his vocabulary and demeanor. With his entire appearance, he demonstrated not only a prosperous past and present, but also an expected successful future, which was guaranteed by a diploma from an elite university. A slight relaxed demeanor and impeccable politeness complemented the image, consisting of neat clothes of ideal quality.

The latter included fitted blazers made from premium materials, jumpers with a V-neck, which were usually combined with shirts made from special Oxford cottonOThe top is white, blue, checkered or striped. Printed ones were intended for a more casual atmosphere. Instead of a jumper, cardigans or sweaters with an argyle print could be worn - a pattern of squares or diamonds arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

Trouser models - classic with arrows, chinos (beige, dark blue or a brighter palette for relaxation). Preppy shoes - Oxfords and Derbys, top-siders. Outerwear - quilted windbreakers, duffle coats, double-breasted pea coats. Headwear - caps.Practical accessories include striped or checkered scarves. An indispensable attribute of sportswear was a polo shirt and a university jacket - a bomber jacket with aewith regular edging at the collar and at the bottom, fastened with buttons.

Having transformed from a uniform into a casual one, the preppy clothing style has changed somewhat - for example, the color palette has become more varied and bright. Designers such as Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger contributed to the popularization of the fashion trend.

In the 21st century, casual style, based on the uniforms of prestigious educational institutions, does not lose popularity. Collections in this fashion trend often appear on catwalks; many celebrities choose preppy clothes for their looks.

Basic elements, components of the preppy image for men

You probably won’t find an authentic version of the men’s preppy style here. Today, the stronger sex prefers more modern and slightly modified images. What kind of wardrobe items and shoes can bring your outfit as close as possible to the preppy style? This:

• classic blue blazers - with or without a patch;
• tweed jackets;
• loose-fitting suits;
• trousers - classic or chinos in blue, beige, gray, khaki;
• polo shirts and T-shirts, models with button-down collars;
• unpaired vests;
• sweatshirts, jumpers, sweaters, cardigans;
• Bermuda shorts;
• ties with stripes and bow ties are informal options;
• shoes - oxfords, derbies, loafers, moccasins, top-siders.

The versatility, practicality, convenience and elegance of preppy fashion contribute to the enduring popularity of outfits in this style. They are not only an elegant option for everyday wear, but also an appropriate choice for attending informal events or corporate events.