The term preppy describes a subculture that emerged in American preparatory schools for boys in the early 1900s in affluent Northeastern suburbs, New England coastal towns, the Upper Midwest, and the wealthiest spots of the American South.
Descendents of heritage, wealthy families, preppies (or preps) had similar values, activities, mannerisms, and ways of dressing, which are nowadays known as the old money style.
Preppy Roots
In the early 1900s, American preparatory schools and educational institutions followed the model of British preparatory schools regarding curriculum, athletic activities, school uniforms, and hence the subculture’s deep connections with the British aristocracy and their traditions.
The influence of British culture went beyond school activities, school attire, and pupils’ ways of dressing, impacting their values, mannerisms, and lifestyle.
However, as we understand it nowadays, the preppy subculture was shaped by the social and cultural practices of America’s upper class in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Hence, the ‘origin of preppy’ discussions revolve around American educational institutions and the three main educational areas credited with creating and evolving the Preppy fashion and lifestyle.
Each of these regions contributed to the Preppy culture look and style with its unique climate, local customs, and lifestyles.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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, in particular, 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 Lifestyle
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.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Manners
Influenced by traditional upper-class etiquette and high education, Preppies are known for their courteous mannerisms.
Language is also important, as in the U.S., Preppies’ speech is characterized 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.
4. 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 behavior, political views, and fashion.
5. 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.
6. Community Service
Community service and philanthropy are part of Preppies’ commitment to social responsibility.
Some of the most popular activities are volunteering at local organizations, 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.
7. 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 have a propensity for classical music, ballet, and theater.
Some popular Preppy activities include attending theater 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.
Dress Like a True Preppy
The preppy way of dressing requires representative clothes, shoes, and accessories – according to the Preppy aesthetic.
Also, ideally, the outfits are put together with clothes and accessories from renowned Preppy clothing brands like Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, L.L. Bean, and J. Crew.
Aligning with Preppy vocabulary, etiquette, and mannerisms, Preppy outfits always depict a classic, clean-cut look in daily life or sports.
Had no idea that preppies are actually following british culture, fashion, and lifestyle. Great article, many things suddenly make a lot of sense right now, thank you for putting the time to create this piece and looking fwd to many more like this.