Pardon me but I find the American preppy style to be rather...provincial

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Oh that's nothing, OP. Take a look at that particular flavor of provincial-religious preppy French and you'll die of fashion boredom. My Godfather is their official spokesman, complete with tweeds and little neckties.

- Frenchwoman.

That actually sounds kind of adorable. (Not OP).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Oh that's nothing, OP. Take a look at that particular flavor of provincial-religious preppy French and you'll die of fashion boredom. My Godfather is their official spokesman, complete with tweeds and little neckties.

- Frenchwoman.

Please share! I love this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Oh that's nothing, OP. Take a look at that particular flavor of provincial-religious preppy French and you'll die of fashion boredom. My Godfather is their official spokesman, complete with tweeds and little neckties.

- Frenchwoman.

Go take a look at the landed gentry and very wealthy Germans--they try to hide their money, and their sartorial choices are very dull...and often tinged with the tradiional themes of their home states. Nothing at all like the high fashion/street fashion you find in the cities.

--German

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I've seen plenty of popped collars on European men, so....

[Anonymous]

I mean, Lacoste is a French brand, and they’re all about the polo shirts.

[Anonymous]

It IS “provincial “ — at least in the more tribal sense of the word.. That’s precisely the point. A long, long, time ago, WASPs were the predominant decision makers in the US. They sent their kids — especially their sons” to “prep schools” that had not yet considered the possible merits of meritocracy. They dressed a certain way that was very recognizable in its subtle details to other members of the fold. They passed down their Harris Tweed jackets and Shetland sweaters to their progeny. Fashion was not, and is not the point. Although there have been a few moments when preppy styles became fashionable with the general public, thanks to upstarts like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfinger, when the brouhaha settles, and the fashionistas have moved on, the committed preppies will still have their tribal identifiers.

🤔It’s chilly enough for plaid. But WHICH tartan? That is the question….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It IS “provincial “ — at least in the more tribal sense of the word.. That’s precisely the point. A long, long, time ago, WASPs were the predominant decision makers in the US. They sent their kids — especially their sons” to “prep schools” that had not yet considered the possible merits of meritocracy. They dressed a certain way that was very recognizable in its subtle details to other members of the fold. They passed down their Harris Tweed jackets and Shetland sweaters to their progeny. Fashion was not, and is not the point. Although there have been a few moments when preppy styles became fashionable with the general public, thanks to upstarts like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfinger, when the brouhaha settles, and the fashionistas have moved on, the committed preppies will still have their tribal identifiers.

🤔It’s chilly enough for plaid. But WHICH tartan? That is the question….

Black Watch, always and forever!

[Anonymous]

It is SO dull but I appreciate that the looks are durable. Because they don’t change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, Lacoste is a French brand, and they’re all about the polo shirts.

+100

The Kennedy era sportswear. I see it on MANY European men. I have lived in Spain and Germany. They do like a crisp Lacoste alligator polo and some pressed flat front pants.

My parents were from Connecticut. My dad went to a prep school (poor on scholarship)--but he always had the right look.

I don't like the over-the-top Vineyard Vines or too much Lily or Southern Prep that is all ruffles in over the top. I like the way Jackie O (minus her Lily) and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy did it. In a minimalist way when they were casual. The few good pieces in that type of wardrobe are very European and Jackie was a Francophile: Camelhair coat, ribbed turtlenecks, cashmere sweaters, clam diggers, camel wool skirts, minimalist column gowns, light on the jewelry and makeup (maybe just a red lip), etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It IS “provincial “ — at least in the more tribal sense of the word.. That’s precisely the point. A long, long, time ago, WASPs were the predominant decision makers in the US. They sent their kids — especially their sons” to “prep schools” that had not yet considered the possible merits of meritocracy. They dressed a certain way that was very recognizable in its subtle details to other members of the fold. They passed down their Harris Tweed jackets and Shetland sweaters to their progeny. Fashion was not, and is not the point. Although there have been a few moments when preppy styles became fashionable with the general public, thanks to upstarts like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfinger, when the brouhaha settles, and the fashionistas have moved on, the committed preppies will still have their tribal identifiers.

🤔It’s chilly enough for plaid. But WHICH tartan? That is the question….

Black Watch, always and forever!

Yeah, I think the point of preppy is that it's never really in style, but not out of style either. If it's faddish, it may be prep-inspired but not really preppy. The focus is on quality items that last a long time and are appropriate for the particular environment/weather and outdoor activities that you do. Never ostentatious. My father follows the preppy aesthetic, and he basically just looks like every other old guy of his class/generation - plaid shirt, pants, loafers, jackets. The clothes aren't really anything you'd notice except that he looks nice, and he's had those same clothes forever! He got me the Preppy Handbook when I was a tween, and I inhaled it, the book is really pretty funny. He wanted us to wear Weejuns and oxford shirts. I absorbed some - I try to buy better things made of wool and natural fibers. It makes sense to have stuff that lasts so you're not constantly needing to shop. I'm not sure anything would look at me and say "preppy," but I had a friend tell me, "You don't have a lot of clothes, but what you have is really good," and that reminded me that prep is my foundation. I think my style if I have one is best described as classic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It IS “provincial “ — at least in the more tribal sense of the word.. That’s precisely the point. A long, long, time ago, WASPs were the predominant decision makers in the US. They sent their kids — especially their sons” to “prep schools” that had not yet considered the possible merits of meritocracy. They dressed a certain way that was very recognizable in its subtle details to other members of the fold. They passed down their Harris Tweed jackets and Shetland sweaters to their progeny. Fashion was not, and is not the point. Although there have been a few moments when preppy styles became fashionable with the general public, thanks to upstarts like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfinger, when the brouhaha settles, and the fashionistas have moved on, the committed preppies will still have their tribal identifiers.

🤔It’s chilly enough for plaid. But WHICH tartan? That is the question….

Black Watch, always and forever!

But, but: Royal Stewart for Christmas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you imagine someone in boat shoes and a garish pink polo walking the streets of Milan?

Yes, although the men wore what I then considered to be tight pants, and sometimes what were then called JP Tods.
But I might be a tad older than you, dear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It IS “provincial “ — at least in the more tribal sense of the word.. That’s precisely the point. A long, long, time ago, WASPs were the predominant decision makers in the US. They sent their kids — especially their sons” to “prep schools” that had not yet considered the possible merits of meritocracy. They dressed a certain way that was very recognizable in its subtle details to other members of the fold. They passed down their Harris Tweed jackets and Shetland sweaters to their progeny. Fashion was not, and is not the point. Although there have been a few moments when preppy styles became fashionable with the general public, thanks to upstarts like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfinger, when the brouhaha settles, and the fashionistas have moved on, the committed preppies will still have their tribal identifiers.

🤔It’s chilly enough for plaid. But WHICH tartan? That is the question….

Black Watch, always and forever!

But, but: Royal Stewart for Christmas?

Goodness no, they were mortal enemies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Oh that's nothing, OP. Take a look at that particular flavor of provincial-religious preppy French and you'll die of fashion boredom. My Godfather is their official spokesman, complete with tweeds and little neckties.

- Frenchwoman.

Go take a look at the landed gentry and very wealthy Germans--they try to hide their money, and their sartorial choices are very dull...and often tinged with the tradiional themes of their home states. Nothing at all like the high fashion/street fashion you find in the cities.

--German

Sounds quite like the old money WASPS in New England who wear faded old sweat shirts, old khakis and beat up shoes. One could easily mistake them for the gardener.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you just time travel from the 80’s?

In OP’s defense, I think this is a reaction to the weird DCUM obsession in weekly threads like this one:

I know some people who are lets just say, very fastidious about their appearance. They pay particular attention to how they dress; the brands they choose to wear, the way they style their hair and an emphasis on portraying the aesthetics of upper class preppy people. They are always overdressed and want to wear expensive clothes. Meanwhile they do not have important jobs or make much money. Some may not even have attended a 4 year college.

Sounds like the same person.

I know, right? But it’s so relentless, there must be more than one.