How to Look Preppy

Co-authored by Nejla Renee and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: February 21, 2025 References

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When you think of preppy style, a lot of things might come to mind. You may picture clean, tailored outfits with a pop of pastel color, or maybe you imagine a classic khaki and nautical stripe ensemble. There are a lot of preppy combinations—so set up a basic wardrobe and you'll be on your way to cultivating timeless looks that showcase your classic style!

1

Wear 1 or 2 items in a solid color.

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The colors are up to you, but stick with solids so you don't overwhelm the look. Don't be afraid to play with preppy colors! A pop of color can balance your neutral pieces to make your whole look more interesting. For example, if you're wearing red chinos, style them with a blue shirt or a white shirt with a charcoal gray trench coat or jacket.^{[1]
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- Popular preppy colors include burgundy, emerald green, pink, aqua, yellow, and coral.

2

Include 1 patterned piece in your look.

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Prints can take an outfit from minimalist or modern to preppy in an instant. Try to stick to a simple formula of 2 solid colors or neutrals with 1 patterned item like plaid or paisley. You might choose a patterned shirt, sweater, or dress, for instance.^{[2]
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- For example, wear a plaid shirt with cream-colored trousers or wear a blue gingham tunic with a khaki skirt.
- Paisley, tweed, and nautical prints are all staples in a preppy wardrobe. Try wearing a navy striped shirt tucked into fitted jeans and wear a navy quilted jacket.
- Wear polka dots for a fun, preppy look that's great for a casual summer outfit.

3

Wear khaki trousers or a skirt.

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Pair khaki with any preppy top or jacket since it works with anything! Khaki is a preppy must-have—it's a stylish option for casual, everyday outfits, and you can wear it to dressy functions. Buy a pair of tailored khaki pants or a stylish knee-length khaki skirt. If you want to round out your summer wardrobe, pick up a pair of khaki shorts, too.
- To simply style your khakis, pair a skirt or trousers with a plain leather belt and a crisp fitted shirt or polo.
- Want to dress up your preppy khaki outfit? Throw on a fitted blazer and wear nice leather shoes or pumps.

4

Invest in simple pieces for your wardrobe.

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Preppy outfits are relatively simple in nature—they come down to a few classic items. This makes it really easy to look preppy! Once you build a basic wardrobe, you can create dozens of outfits. Stock up on these essentials to get started:^{[3]
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- Tunics
- Tailored trousers or skirts
- Button-down shirts or blouses
- Polos or oxford shirts
- Navy suits or blazers
- Sweaters
- Trench coat

5

Choose neutral colors as the base for your outfit.

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Navy, white, and khaki are great colors for preppy clothes. They're really easy to pair with brighter colors or preppy prints. These colors also look great on everyone. For example, pick up a navy blazer and a white shirt.^{[4]
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- Black can be a preppy color if you use it sparingly. Save it for formal looks like a fitted black blazer with a khaki skirt, crisp white shirt, and emerald green pumps or leather loafers.
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Alena Le Blanc
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Alena Le Blanc is the Personal Stylist and the Founder of Le Blanc Label. Based in San Francisco, California, Le Blanc Label is the leading personal stylist brand for sustainable style transformations. Alena and her team specialize in seasonal wardrobe refreshes, closet edits, styling for special events, travel, photoshoots, and general personal needs. Alena has been featured in podcasts including EMPOWERED BY WMN, I Am Fearless, and Mind Power Meets Mystic. Alena received her BFA in Fashion and Apparel Design from the Academy of Art University.

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Neutral color palettes allow fabric quality to shine. Neutrals and earth tones have a timeless appeal. Garments in these tones offer a blank canvas to add subtle pops of color through other clothes or accessories, allowing you to personalize your look without compromising the outfit's understated elegance.

6

Choose a statement sweater.

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Go for a cabled or argyle sweater to create a cozy, winter look. Preppy looks aren't just for the summer. For cold-weather preppy style, pop on a cashmere sweater in a solid color over a button-down shirt. To add interest, you could wear a cabled knit sweater or an argyle sweater that has a colorful diamond pattern.^{[5]
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- Don't forget that a solid cardigan is also a timeless preppy piece. Throw it over your shoulder if it's just a little cool out, or toss on a sleeveless V-neck sweater.

7

Avoid wearing revealing clothing.

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Stick to a simple conservative outfit that doesn't show a lot of skin. When you think of a preppy style, think simple, clean, and classic. If you want to wear a skirt, for instance, pick a knee-length skirt instead of a mini-skirt. Choose tops with sleeves or short sleeves to provide a little coverage.^{[6]
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- For a casual look with coverage, pair a colorful tunic with khaki chinos, for instance.

8

Keep your hair sleek and brushed.

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If you wear your hair short, comb it back and part it along the side. For a little volume, style it up into a pompadour. For longer hair, pull it back into a ponytail or a low bun at the nape of your neck. Remember that your hairstyle is just one more way to make your preppy look unique!^{[7]
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- Headbands and bows are cute, preppy hair accessories that you can play around with.
- Style your hair with matte pomade or shiny gel to keep your perfectly coiffed hair in place all day.

9

Go for conservative footwear.

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Pair your outfit with loafers, flats, or boat shoes. Preppy shoes should look functional, comfortable, and classic. Loafers, moccasins, and duck boots are great choices for men, while women could wear flats, boat shoes, duck boots, or nude heels.^{[8]
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- Match your shoes to the occasion. If you're looking preppy at an evening event, wear nice loafers or kitten heels. If you're dressing for work, wear something comfortable like boat shoes or a pair of flats.

10

Keep accessories classic or minimal.

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Wear bowties or belts to complement your outfit. If you're wearing a button-down shirt, consider wearing a fun bowtie or a bold striped tie to add interest. Belts are also a great preppy accessory—choose a plain leather belt to wear with your trousers, skirt, or jeans.^{[9]
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- Break out your sunglasses for a fun accessory. Choose vintage styles like large circular sunglasses or aviators.
- Shop for a monogrammed belt buckle if you'd like a personalized preppy accessory.

11

Wear modest, elegant jewelry.

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You don't want flashy, glamorous jewelry to distract from the tailored look you've put together. Stock your wardrobe with pearl earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, or pick up gold or nautical cufflinks if you frequently wear suits. A great watch is never out of place either!^{[10]
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12

Preppy Patterns

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The most popular patterns for girls include argyle and plaid. If you are a girl you can wear plaid skirts and tops. You can also wear an argyle sweater vest. Also wearing a tweed jacket is very preppy with a tweed skirt. If you are a boy popular patterns are plaid, argyle, and stripes. Wearing a plaid shirt is an option you can also wear an argyle or striped sweater vest.

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Question

How can I choose a preppy bag?

Nejla Renee
Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant
Nejla Renee is a fashion stylist, image consultant, and personal shopper based in New York, New York. With over seven years of experience, Nejla specializes in helping people enhance their positive attributes and express their identities through style. Nejla holds a BS in Marketing and Finance from Northeastern University and worked in finance prior to starting her own business. Nejla combines her business experience with her personal creativity, passion, keen eye for detail, innate sense of style, and strong understanding of fit and proportion to help her clients create peace and acceptance around their style.

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Expert Answer

Look for a quality purse that meets all your needs for daily use. The color and material should be versatile, and it should be big enough to hold everything you need throughout the day.

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Is cheerleading a preppy sport?

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It can be, but it varies by school. See what kind of preppy sports are popular at your own school before enrolling in a club to fit in with preppy kids.

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Can I start my own club to socialize?

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Yes. If you want to start a club, talk to someone at your school.

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Tips

Check out thrift stores or vintage clothing shops for some great preppy pieces.

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Patterns and sophistication is key when it comes to dressing preppy.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Preppy doesn't necessarily mean you have to gut your whole entire wardrobe, play a "preppy" sport, or obsess over your looks. A preppy girl is one who acts well-mannered, kind, and social at the same time.
Some popular preppy stores include Vineyard Vines, J. Crew, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, and Lilly Pulitzer.

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