The Preppy Look

The Preppy Look started life as The Ivy League Look in America in the first half of the twentieth century, heavily influenced by the students at Yale, Columbia, Princeton & other Ivy League universities. They in turn took their style from The English Country Look of the time which is probably why it is so popular with Brits now who either have, or aspire to a rural lifestyle, hence the popularity of brands like Fairfax & Favor, Holland & Cooper & the enduring love affair with Barbour & Burberry.

In 1967 Ralph Lauren started his company & bought to this formal look a mid western ‘cowboy’ influence & so the more relaxed, colourful Preppy Style was born. Think Ali MacGraw in Love Story (OMG I can’t believe this was released in 1970, I still can recite almost every word!!!!) as well as subsequent ‘Preppy Movies’ & you get the idea.

Whilst doing some research for this week’s video I found some useful indicators of what to look for if you are just starting to put this look together. If you shop regularly at Artichoke you are already half way there as most of what we sell can reflect this classic style. I thought however that you might be interested in having a look at some of the indicators:

Characteristics of The Preppy style:

• Understated
• Confident
• Restrained opulence
• Conscious prosperity
• Timeless
• Clean
• Colourful
• Layering
• Androgynous
• Attention to detail.

This weeks video looks at taking a Preppy wardrobe from later summer into autumn & beyond.

As always if there is something that you see that your life is incomplete without I have popped links below the video to our shop. If the item isn’t online at time of publishing it may well be by the time you see this video so have a little look in our shop anyway – if you would rather talk to a human being please give us a call on 01760 724948.