A 12 Piece Preppy Fall Capsule Wardrobe

The whole Ralph Lauren aesthetic is right up my alley and it is going to be a sad day when he retires and completely steps away.

But that doesn’t mean that we still can’t embrace what he gave us year after year because honestly, it is timeless.

The thing about preppy fashion is that it has a long history that has had some shifts, but at its core, it remains the same.

Unless we are talking about the Gen Z version of preppy which is straight-up not. But that is a whole other topic because a fluorescent pink Nirvana sweatshirt is not preppy, and you can’t change my mind.

So with that we are going to jump into a little bit about the roots of where the preppy style came from and how we can integrate this into our wardrobe.

The style was initially inspired by the clothing that was worn for leisure activities such as tennis, sailing, and golf. All of my favourites which is totally tongue in cheek because I don’t play sports nor am I sad about that.

The key elements of this clothing were blazers (often with an insignia), oxford shirts, chinos, and loafers. Which is both practical and stylish and completely makes sense as to why it such a classic style.

As the 1950s rolled around the Ivy League look became more defined and widely recognized during this decade. Key pieces included button-down shirts, crew neck sweaters, cardigans, penny loafers, and khaki pants.

In the 60’s it started to trickle down into mainstream fashion, as it became adopted by people outside of the Ivy League campuses.

Brands like Brooks Brothers, Lacoste, and J. Press, which had been staples for Ivy League students, started to influence broader American fashion.

During the 1980s there was a shift and it was during this time that brands like Ralph Lauren, L.L. Bean, and Vineyard Vines became synonymous with preppy fashion.

The style was characterized by bright colours, pastel polo shirts, argyle sweaters, and boat shoes, often with a sense of irony.

This is the preppy that many of us know and are familiar with. It is like the cliché rich kids from a John Hughes movie.

Incoming to the 90s and 2000s, preppy fashion once again evolved. Designers like Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren updated the style with modern touches while maintaining its classic roots.

And fast forward to today and we have seen a resurgence of preppy fashion over the last few seasons. Especially this recent fall/winter shows.

But, my favourite by far was last season’s Dries Van Noten S/S 2024 show.

The way he played with colour and layers was magical.

I am going to miss his genius.

What are some key pieces to build a modern preppy wardrobe?

I wanted to keep the classic core of the preppiness but also modernize it by incorporating some trending silhouettes and colours.

Burgundy is a big trend that is really starting to be showcased in stores, it is a more subtle and easier to wear version of last year’s bright red trend.

It almost works like a neutral because of the undertones.

Overall we saw relaxed silhouettes instead of extremely fitted shirts and waistlines.

We want some give and slouch to allow for casualness and layering.

For accessories I kept it fairly minimal with a classic belt which I own but in black. I think I prefer this burgundy-ish brown. It’s such a rich colour.

I rounded it out with some sports socks, glasses, handbags in a variety of colours, and a vintage pearl necklace.

You could also do a vintage pearl collar which completely elevates the look of a shirt. I found one myself at a vintage show a couple of years ago.

It’s the little statement pieces like that, which make a huge impact.

Modern preppy style is about balancing the old with the new. Keeping the clean, classic, and polished look of traditional preppy fashion while also incorporating contemporary fits, colours, and influences.

This blend creates a style that is timeless yet relevant, making it adaptable and appealing to a larger audience. It’s not about showcasing your lineage or wealth anymore.

It is all about personal style.

I am now offering digital styling guides, and personal styling services. If you are looking for some styling help that is inexpensive and easy, check out my digital styling guides. If you want some one-on-one help shopping, building and editing your wardrobe, or packing for a trip, I can also assist. Check out all the styling services that I offer here.

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