Now, I know in my last post I said I was going to show you how I style my new Kimono. Well on Tuesday I wore a really cute outfit and was really excited to show you guys it, but unfortunately I was gone all day and I had no time to take some pictures. So when I wear my kimono again I will definitely make my brother take pictures of it!
So, my outfit today was inspired by belleoftheball45. I first found her instagram randomly the other day and I looked at her blog which I fell in love with. Like I said she dresses very preppy so I thought I would give it a try. I put away my frilly skirts for my brothers Ralph Lauren button up shirt and some pearl earrings.
Today I am wearing a light blue boys button up shirt. It is originally from Ralph Lauren but I got it from my little brothers closet. This is the basic prep piece, this really makes my outfit prep. My belt is from Jcpenneys, it is a light brown, leather-like braided skinny belt. Next I'm wearing my American Eagle jean shorts. Most preps wouldn't be caught dead wearing jean but I guess they make some exceptions. The shoes I'm wearing are from Target, they are my light brown leather-like braided sandals. I am also wearing my big pearl earrings, they are from Forever 21 (which I lost the left one of outside doing this photo shoot) :( My gold watch is from Francesca's and I put my hair in a doughnut bun. My purse is a dark brown leather purse from Spain. (Yes, I know it doesn't really go with the outfit. Can we please excuse this horrible fashion mistake I made, a never talk about it again.)
What is prep?
Now that you have seen my prep outfit let's talk prep. So what exactly is prep? Well, I looked it up for you guys on Wikipedia because I take my job as a blogger very seriously and I had to do the research! Also if you watch the show Gossip Girl I would say people that go to their high school are pretty preppy, probably the preppiesy of the preppy.
According to Wikipedia "Preppy fashion started around 1912 to the late 1940s and 1950s as the Ivy League style of dress. J. Press represents the quintessential preppy clothing brand, stemming from the collegiate traditions that shaped the preppy subculture. In the mid-twentieth century J. Press and Brooks Brothers, both being pioneers in preppy fashion, had stores on Ivy League school campuses, including Harvard, Princeton, and Yale."
When I think of prep I think of a lifestyle, tennis, gold and polo shirts. A refined kind of lifestyek. I also think of wealth and Yale. I guess that's kind of what Wikipedia says too! haha not really. So because I am so fascinated in this, not so new trend, I wanted you guys to be too! So after nights and nights of research of this topic I have put together 10 steps to being a prep! I hope you enjoy!
10 Steps to be a prep
1. Play a preppy sport {golf, tennis, sailing, lacrosse or ruby.) These are probably the preppiest sports you can play. Now of course if you are a girl you probably wouldn't do the last 3 sport options, but I think golf and tennis are great sports for girls. And out of all the sports you can play they have the best outfits!2. Be rich. Now of course I guess you don't have to be rich to dress like you want but I mean it seems like all the stores that preps shop at are really expensive. So if you are going to keep this style up you will need a lot of money! I mean hey the kids on gossip girl are super rich so I guess it works for them! ;)
3. Go to a preppy school. You can start off with just a private school so you have to wear a plaid skirt, that will make a you a little more preppy then the average public schooler. But if you want to go all the way prep you are probably going to want to start applying to Yale and Harvard.
4. Be very fresh and clean. No bohemian or hipster dreads are ok in the prep world. All clean cut and sharp. You must shower every day and have regular hair cuts!
5. Style your hair in a very classic manner, loose curls or just straight and pinned back. PLEASE no messy buns or crimped hair. Like I said before clean cut and timeless is the way to go!
6. Wear simple makeup no over the top eyeliner or lipstick. Keep it natural looking
7. Be polite, it should match your style, clean unfussy and bright. You've got to get your southern charm on. Men, hold the door for the girls and say "yes Mame". Always use sir and Mame when addressing an elder.
8. Have good posture. They would probably kick me out of a preppy club just for my posture! The way you carry yourself will relate to other people that you are confident.
9. Pay attention in school, no detentions for these preps! I mean hey you have to get into Yale so you have to have good grades and a perfect attendance. Don't slack off.
10. Dress the part! You need to build a very classic wardrobe. At the end of this post I'm going to list some preppy stores I would suggest you go shop at from now on. No more Forever 21 or Target for you girl! It's all j-crew and Ralph Lauren from now on!
Haha now of course I am totally joking about all this. I mean if you did want to be a little more preppy I guess those steps would get you there. I am not trying in any way to make fun of anyone that calls themselves preppy. I really like the style and I'm actually probably going to be dressing a little more prep!
Prep Stores
J-crew
Ralph Lauren
Vineyard Vines
Lilly Pulitzer
Brooks Brothers
Tommy Hilfiger
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