Preppy Style Origins and Must-Know Preppy Things Preppies Do

The Preppy subculture emerged in the late 19th century in the American preparatory schools for boys in affluent Northeastern suburbs, New England coastal towns, the Upper Midwest, and the wealthiest spots of the American South.

Descendents of heritage wealthy families—nowadays known as the old money families—Preppies (or preps) had similar upbringings based on traditional values.

Preppy Origin

These similarities were further reinforced by the educational institutions’ curriculum, athletic activities, and even school uniforms, which followed the model of British schools.

However, the influence of British culture went beyond school activities and pupils’ school attire to shaping their values, political views, mannerisms, lifestyle, and ways of dressing.

The Origin of Preppy – Early 20th Century English Preparatory Schools.Nowadays, the Preppy subculture’s deep connections with the British aristocracy and their traditions are most evident in the choice of garments in business-casual and formal styles.

However, as we know it nowadays, the preppy subculture was shaped by the social and cultural practices of America’s upper class in the early 20th century.

In particular, three main educational areas are credited with giving birth to the Preppy subculture, fashion, and lifestyle.

More importantly, each region’s unique climates, local customs, and lifestyles contributed to the Preppy culture’s different materials, colours, and ways of dressing.

New England

The Home of Ivy League Preppy

New England is a northeastern region of the United States comprising the states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island and home to Ivy League universities.

The first usage of ‘Ivy’ regarding a group of colleges is found in New York Herald Tribune’s October 14, 1933 edition, where sportswriter Stanley Woodward describes the football season:

“A proportion of our eastern ivy colleges are meeting little fellows another Saturday before plunging into the strife and the turmoil.”

That’s because, starting in the 1800s, ‘Ivy Day’ – planting ivy at New England colleges – was a common practice.

Upper-Midwest

The Home of Northern Preppy

The Upper Midwest is a region in the northern portion of the United States comprising the states of Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

The Upper Midwest regions, particularly Michigan and Wisconsin, with great lakes and cold winters, played an important role in developing the lifestyle of the preppy subculture.

American South

The Home of Southern Preppy

In the context of preppy, the American South refers to the Southeastern United States, particularly North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia.

The American South’s warm and humid climate and cultural traditions based on community, manners, formality, and refinement gave birth to the Southern preppy look and relaxed lifestyle.

Preppy Colleges and Schools

The look of the preppy subculture draws aesthetic elements from the elite preparatory schools of the mid-20th century, particularly school uniforms and sports attire for golf, yachting, rowing, tennis, rugby, and horseback riding.

The preppy educational institutions in the Northeast are called the ‘Ivy League group’ and comprise Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, Pennsylvania, Brown University, and Dartmouth College.

In the Upper Midwest, the University of Michigan – considered one of the few public Ivies – played an essential role in developing the Preppy subculture.

From the American South, the University of Virginia’s architectural style and reputation as a bastion of Southern tradition was critical in propagating the Preppy subculture and lifestyle.

Other preppy schools and colleges that participated in the creation and popularity of the Preppy subculture are:

• The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville, New Jersey)
• St. Paul’s School (Concord, New Hampshire)
• Groton School (Groton, Massachusetts)
• Phillips Academy Andover (Andover, Massachusetts)
• Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter, New Hampshire)
• Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford, Connecticut)
• Hotchkiss School (Lakeville, Connecticut)
• Deerfield Academy (Deerfield, Massachusetts)

Many of these institutions are still active and known for continuing to foster preppy values and lifestyles.

Preppy Values

Preppies’ values and lifestyles are rooted in the subculture’s historical and socioeconomic background.

The subcultures’ core activities revolve around higher education, sports, fashion and arts, philanthropy, and etiquette.

High Education

Preppies value education highly, particularly in prestigious preparatory schools and Ivy League colleges.

Attending esteemed preparatory schools, colleges, and universities, participating in academic clubs, and preparing for successful careers in law, business, or medicine are all central to the preppy lifestyle.

Sports and Recreation

Any preparatory school curriculum includes sports of British origins, such as polo, tennis, rugby, and rowing.

Over time, these sports have become critical activities at the core of an active and healthy Preppy lifestyle.

According to the ‘Preppies value book,’ these sports require sportsmanship, camaraderie, competitiveness, and being a team player.

Manners

Influenced by traditional upper-class etiquette and high education, Preppies are known for their courteous mannerisms.

Language is also important – in the U.S., Preppies’ speech is characterised by a specific accent known colloquially as the ‘Locust Valley Lockjaw’ or the ‘preppy lisp.’

To preppies, good manners and proper etiquette signify a classic upbringing, tradition, heritage, and stylistic sophistication.

Family, Tradition and Conservatism

To Preppies, tradition means connections to their roots, historical heritage, and upper class, reinforcing their sense of identity and continuity.

As such, most Preppies lean towards conservatism regarding behaviour, political views, and fashion.

Social Gatherings

Preppies engage in social events within their social circle, such as parties, dinners, and charity galas.

These events aim to maintain a sense of decorum and decency in keeping with their respect for old traditions and good manners.

Community Service

Community service and philanthropy are part of Preppies’ commitment to social responsibility.

Some of the most popular activities are volunteering at local organisations, participating in charity events, or donating.

With a deep sense of social responsibility, preppies give back to their communities through charitable activities and volunteer work.

Arts and Culture

Knowledge and appreciation of fine arts are at the core of the Preppy subculture and lifestyle.

As such, Preppies are interested in the arts and tend to like classical music, ballet, and theatre.

Some popular Preppy activities include attending theatre performances, visiting galleries, reading art books and style magazines, and listening to classical music.

Preppy Books and Movies

Several influential Preppy movies, books, series, and songs have contributed to the creation and development of the Preppy subculture.

The Official Preppy Handbook (Book)

Lisa Birnbach’s 1980 ‘The Official Preppy Handbook’ is a satirical look at the preppy lifestyle and is seen as the manual of what it meant to be Preppy.

Prep (Book)

Curtis Sittenfeld’s best-selling novel Prep provides an in-depth and relatable look at prep school culture, making it accessible to a broader audience.

The book delves into boarding school culture while showcasing the intricacies and unexpected nuances of the modern Preppy subculture.

The Catcher in the Rye (Novel)

J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye portrays preparatory school culture and has become a literary classic.

It has influenced perceptions of the disillusionment and rebellion that can exist within the Preppy subculture.

Dead Poets Society (Movie)

Dead Poets Society takes place in an elite preparatory school for boys and depicts rebellion within the constraints of a traditional Preppy institution.

The movie recreates the Preppy subculture’s origins, influencing how the general public understands it.

The Great Gatsby (Book and Movies)

The Great Gatsby is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, and film adaptations depict the opulence and fashion of the Jazz Age, almost like a manual for those interested in the extravagant side of the Preppy subculture.

The following adaptations of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel comprise lavish depictions of 1920s upper-class style, greatly influencing the preppy aesthetic.

Love Story (Movie)

Love Story is a 1970 film that established the Preppy style as shorthand for elite American good taste by depicting the lives of Ivy League students.

Preppy Style and Fashion

Preppy fashion depicts a classic, clean-cut look, aligning with Preppy etiquette, mannerisms, and lifestyle.

The Preppy way of dressing draws inspiration from the Ivy League style and the East Coast American Nautical aesthetic.

The Preppy style outfits range from smart casual to semi-formal.

Navy blazers, Oxford cloth button-down shirts, cable-knit sweaters, chinos, loafers and boat shoes, needlepoint belts, and repp ties from renowned Preppy clothing brands like Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, L.L. Bean, and J. Crew. can be found in almost all Preppy wardrobes.