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!

2

Include 1 patterned piece in your look.

  1. 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]
    • 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.

  1. 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.
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6

Choose a statement sweater.

Expert Q&A
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  • Question
    How can I choose a preppy bag?
    Nejla Renee
    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.
    Nejla Renee
    Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this 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.
  • Question
    Is cheerleading a preppy sport?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I start my own club to socialize?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes. If you want to start a club, talk to someone at your school.
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About This Article

Nejla Renee
Co-authored by:
Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant
This article was co-authored by Nejla Renee and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. 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. This article has been viewed 1,675,163 times.
10 votes - 46%
Co-authors: 203
Updated: January 5, 2023
Views: 1,675,163
Categories: Socialite Style
Article SummaryX

The easiest way to look preppy is to dress in simple, preppy colors like navy, white, and crimson. Choose clothing with classic patterns like plaid, tweed, and polka-dots and accessorize with simple headbands and classic watches. Keep yourself clean and always wear cologne or perfume. To discover more tips and tricks, like how to avoid breaking preppy fashion rules and adopt preppy hobbies, read on!

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