Preppy Accessories

No classically preppy look would ever be complete without a few accessories. Whether that be jewelry, the perfect bag or the footwear you choose, you will need some accessories for a completely pulled together look. Below I will go through and highlight some of the most classically preppy pieces you should have in your wardrobe.  

Pearls

First and foremost, of course, you can never call your look preppy without owning a string of pearls or some pearls studs at the very least. The preppy look puts pearls with absolutely everything from jeans to dresses. This small addition can instantly elevate a look from basic to classic. 

My grandma's string of pearls is one of my go to pieces. I wear them with absolutely everything. I wore them in a heat wave to the county fair to visit the horses.

I wear them with nautical stripes.

 I even wear them on casual days with my Vineyard Vines Shep shirts. 

Print Scarf

Another important accessory is a good quality scarf. I don't just mean for warmth in the winter, although not much can beat a good quality cashmere scarf with a wool coat for warmth and style. I am referring here also to silky scarves, whether a square tied around the neck or a Twilly on your bag or wrist as a bracelet or even in your hair.

Leather Handbag

The next must have is a good quality leather handbag. This doesn't have to be a designer piece but should be the best your budget will allow. If you are going to stick with mainly only one bag, it should be in a neutral color as well such as tan, white, or black. You may also want to at least have two options. One being a larger tote like everyday bag to carry all of your essentials and a smaller cross body bag for going to events and activities where you would want to be more hands-free. 

Monogrammed Tote

Another essential is a monogrammed tote of some sort. I am not referring here to anything like the LV Neverfull referenced above but rather an actual canvas tote. This piece will be handy running errands, heading to flea markets and farmers markets, as well as just organizing things in the car. Having a piece as well that is monogrammed is the perfect step above to make this a preppy must-have! One of the perfect places to find something like this is at Marleylilly. Of course, you do not have to have the monogram and can find very stylish totes in cute prints almost anywhere, but a monogram just adds that little something extra. 

Footwear

Another common dilemma is trying to decide on the essential footwear pieces you will need if you are just beginning to build up your classic preppy wardrobe. Footwear again is a place where you should buy the best quality you can afford; these are pieces you will wear often. The cost per wear typically outweighs the initial sticker shock. Below are some of my suggestions. 

Riding Boots are almost quintessential during fall and winter especially. These can be styled with leggings, dresses, and pulled over straight leg jeans for classic looks. 

Another important "boot" style that will be worn in every season, is a good pair of Wellies. These can be high or low, depending on your preference. I wear my Wellies out on rainy days to run errands as well as when working in the garden. A quintessential brand for the preppy look is Hunter, but of course only buy what your budget allows. I wear my Hunter brand boots running errands but have a drug store pair for garden use.

Loafers are another essential footwear piece. In this category, I am not only including traditional penny loafer styles but also the Sperry boat shoe style. Both are my go-to slip on shoes that I wear constantly. 

For summer footwear, nothing beats a pair of Jack Rogers, made famous by Jackie O. or some espadrilles for a dressier look. 

Comment down below: What are your favorite preppy look accessories? What else should I have mentioned?

Fall 2022 Trend List

 Every year since as long as I can remember I loved getting the huge issues of Fall Vogue and Harper's Bazar.  I would browse the pages intent to try to mimic the models in the glossy photos. Of course now that I am older, I know I can never mimic those models or the fashions they are wearing but I still love flipping through those pages!

I have learned over the years that a classic and "preppy" style is what fits me best, however, that doesn't stop me from caring about the new trends and how they can realistically incorporate into my wardrobe. 

Here are a few things I noticed in this year's fall Vogue:

1. Plaid and tweed are becoming popular again and not just classic as illustrated by Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Fendi, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, and Dior.

2. Darker florals are a way to keep those flowers well into the daylight savings time as illustrated by the new Louis Vuitton Victorian buttercup print on their bags and Balenciaga's new dress prints. 

3. Black with lace and Gothic jewelry are mainstream as shown in the Chanel ads. This look was also shown with Versace.

4. Adding to this Gothic revival is the wider and wider widths of belts, almost to a corset like look as illustrated by Gucci, Karen Millen, and Versace.

5. Leather also is paring well with all of these new trends as illustrated by Givenchy and Fendi.

So how do these looks become mainstream everyday wear in a classic preppy wardrobe? With subtle interest is how...

Now of course finding those perfect pieces can also prove to be daunting and time consuming as well though.... Out of my passion for fashion I decided to open my own boutique of all the new pieces in one place. Coco & Dante has now launched as " A curated collection of classic & timeless pieces at affordable prices for the stylish woman!" 

Here is just a sampling of pieces for this fall that hit all the trends:

1. This woolen plaid blazer with leather elbow patch from the British Countryside collection not only shows the plaid trend but also the leather element.

2. For darker florals, this lace Boheme floral print dress definitely fits the bill.

3. If you do want to be daring and add in the leather/ gothic element without spending a fortune, why not pair the dark floral dresses with a leather corset belt? 

4. This mixed media of plaid and tweed dress  Riley dress gives the same vibe as the Dior looks for a fraction of the price and also would pair well with a corseted belt. 

5. Adding also to the leather trend, which is also really a classic though, why not trade your blue jeans in for a pair of leather trousers paired with a fair isle sweater? 

Comment down below, which new fall trend is your favorite? Which look can you see yourself wearing?

7 Types of Preppy Style

 I have branded online presence as That Preppy Italian Girl and have never written a series of blog posts in regards to "preppy" style and aesthetics... That is about to change right now! In the coming months, I will be delving into each type of preppy style in future posts. For now though, let's define, or outline what those types are.

It is first important to note that there are a lot of overlaps in the styles and brands that fall into an overall preppy look. Regardless of the type of preppy, there is always an element of sophistication and timeless pieces. Good quality pieces and proper fit are always a must! The preppy style always shows attention to detail, layering of pieces, somewhat androgenous aspects, and strong craftsmanship or branding. 

When putting together you own preppy wardrobe strong quality staple garments are a must! While branding is important, it is more important to always have good craftsmanship and quality pieces that will stand the test of time. Keep pieces classic and in a color scheme that shows restraint with neutral and natural colors (you will not find neon in a true preppy wardrobe). Always buy the best pieces you can afford and be sure they are well fitted to your body! 

All that being said, I have divided the style into 7 types of preppy style. We will overview them here and dive in more deeply in future blog posts (so be sure to subscribe to know when they are published).

1. The Ivy Look:

Of course this would be #1 on the list, as the preppy style itself began as an American style deriving from Prep schools and Ivy League colleges. Earlier in American style, the wealthy and educated wanted to stand out and denote themselves as elevated and cultivated among the masses. Think classic blazers, school uniform looks, loafers, and button downs. The oldest preppy brand in America, Brooks Brothers, is the epitome of this aesthetic. This style has not changed much in over a hundred years....

2. New England Prep:

Much like the Ivy League Look, the New England Prep style has the same classic time tested vibes with it's classic lines, argyles, darker hues, and understated silhouettes. A perfect brand example of this would be Keil James Patrick launched from the iconic blog of "Classy Girls Wear Pearls." Perhaps the most recognizable brand for this category in the most American closets though is Ralph Lauren.

3. British Countryside:

From the Ivy League to New England, it is only natural to next move to a British Countryside look. All 3 styles are very similar with only slight differences in their pieces. For British Countryside, think of a quail hunt in the fall wearing a warm field jacket with a gilet vest underneath.... Or a classic outfit covered in an iconic London Fog trench... This style is full of rich autumn colors and tweed fabrics. 

Another popular brand in this category is the iconic English brand of Holland Cooper. 

4. Equestrian Style: 

Think fox hunts in the countryside, horse jumping competitions, and polo matches (also part of Country Club Prep, yet to come). This style full of jodhpurs and riding boots originates from the same theory of the Ivy League.... to give a nod to wealth and education... in this case, the affluence of being around horses for leisure.

The stye incorporates staple horse riding pieces with details in the styling such as horse bit accents and bridle designs. Brands that include this look include the previously discussed Ralph Lauren and Holland Cooper, along with Fairfax and Favor and the details of the less affordable Hermes staple accessories. Ariat is also a great American brand carrying many great pieces that work into this style, just be careful to not veer too far into Western wear. 

5. Country Club Prep:

Next up is the Country Club aesthetic, deriving again from a leisurely lifestyle but paying homage more to the sporty side of things.  Here is where the iconic polo shirts come from. Thinks tennis lessons, polo matches (also slightly tying to the equestrian style), rugby, and golf. This is by far the most casual of the preppy styles. Brands here include Ralph Lauren's Polo and Tommy Hilfiger with his famous rugby silhouette. 

6. Nautical Prep:

Another very common type of preppy look derives from a pleasure for being by the water. Again derived around leisure activities such as sailing, yachting, and lake house, I think you can begin to see a theme here. The nautical look is focused on stripes, seersucker prints, and nautical themes such as anchors. Popular brands for this look include Tommy Hilfiger and most notably though Vineyard Vines and Sperry with their footwear synonymous with boat life. This color palette includes a lot of blue as well in a nod to the sea. 

7. Southern Prep:

As the preppy style began to take off more and more, those in warmer climates needed to adapt the style into their own. The style took on a lighter fair down south with more pastels and madres prints in lighter fabrics. With this style, the Lilly Pulitzer  shift dress in summer prints became a staple as did Jack Rogers sandals once Jackie Kennedy began sporting them. Not only has this aesthetic become the staple in southern states such as Florida but also a major styling of warmer summer months in other states as well. There is some overlap here with the nautical vibe but also more fun and bright colors come out in this southern prep style. 

No matter what style of prep you choose, the constants of good quality pulled together outfits remain. Myself, I wear all of these types depending on the season. There is so much overlap that you do not need to be locked into just one style of prep. Comment below: which is your favorite style though? Also be sure to subscribe for notice of future posts as I dive more deeply into each type of prep style.