Preppy Style

As I got dressed this morning for the Monday Style Prompt, I quickly realized something: I am not preppy.  I remember trying to be preppy in high school.  Back then, it was all about the popped collar polo shirts which I couldn’t afford and didn’t know well enough to thrift.

Turns out it wasn’t the lack of preppy attire that held me back – preppy clothes just don’t suit me.  BUT, I gave it an honest effort and even did some highly academic Pinterest research to try to figure out what 2015 preppy looks like.  Here’s what I learned: preppy is “prep school” style – clean, polished, classic pieces and prints like stripes and polka dots.  J Crew is the modern epitome of preppy so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I’m not preppy since I’m not an avid J Crew shopper.  I’ve been in the regular retail store once (that shocks some of you, I know it) and wasn’t the least bit tempted.  I have thrifted a few J Crew pieces and I like them but usually style them up with other thrifted pieces, and if there were a showdown between my J Crew and vintage pieces, I wouldn’t have to think twice about which would go.  Pearls, monograms and expensive bags are par for the preppy course, as are plaids and pastels.  Don’t get me wrong, I like preppy style on others like my favourite Megan!  She’s preppy!  She looks fantastic!  As for me, well…

I figured my gingham J Crew shirt with a cardi, pearls, white pants (somehow it seems like rich people wear white pants more often than us poor folks who can’t do laundry or something) and patent nude pumps were about as close to preppy as my closet could come.

It’s not a *bad* outfit but I felt soooo uncomfortable.  I also had a couple of post-whiplash medical appointments today and just couldn’t fathom going to PT in this.  So I changed.

Pastels and pearls and Toms felt much more do-able even if not quite as preppy.

I actually received quite a few compliments on the colour combo of this ensemble, which launched me into a Monday-Style-Prompt preppy-style-personality over-share every time.  (Sorry Doc!)

The whole point of the style-personality exercises via Monday Style Prompts is to explore and define your style.  So far, we’ve covered classic style personality and mod style personality.  I’m not much closer to defining my style but I hope YOU are!  We’ll see what next Monday holds!  Meanwhile I will sleep a little easier having confirmed I’m more Molly Ringwald than Andrew McCarthy.  If you don’t immediately understand that, you have some style homework to do.