Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What even is it? Examples or links, please?

I assume it means not wearing pajamas to get coffee.

Non-stretch pants, flat shoes, sweater or shirt (not just a t shirt). Belt. Non-stage makeup. No crazy jewelry.

TIL I dress preppy.

Comfort, quality. It is not an aspiration, it is just a freedom to wear what you like.

Anonymous wrote:Why is it considered a status symbol of sorts?

What is preppy aesthetic?

What exactly do you mean by preppy aesthetic?

For the sake of the argument, I'm going to assume it's J Crew, Brooks, Polo, Patagonia, Vineyard Vines, Peter Millar, outdoorsy gear, Charles Tyrwhitt, Boden, Ann Taylor, and so forth.

My view on it?

It's clean, traditional classic lines, looks great on a wide range of people, people do look better and more self-assured and confident and presentable.

While tastes are subjective, it remains that the "preppy look" of these brands is the default uniform of professional and successful America, aka the American upper middle and upper classes. And most people really can't be bothered to figure out how to look "creative" (which often means sloppy and ridiculous).

I don't want people to be distracted from my brilliance and Yale education by my clothing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What even is it? Examples or links, please?

I assume it means not wearing pajamas to get coffee.

Non-stretch pants, flat shoes, sweater or shirt (not just a t shirt). Belt. Non-stage makeup. No crazy jewelry.

Anonymous wrote:What even is it? Examples or links, please?

I assume it means not wearing pajamas to get coffee.

Anonymous wrote:Middle class strivers + its “safe” for people who don’t have any creativity

And “I’m so Creative” (in the same way many, many other people are “creative”) is your personality.

Because it's basic, sensible, and does not attract attention to me.

Anonymous wrote:It’s an easy to wear aesthetic. Your body is covered. Easy to modify for varied weather. You can go anywhere and be comfortable/presentable. You can do lots of activities without your clothes being a problem.

If you are an upwardly mobile racial minority or formerly poor who’re person, preppy can be viewed as a type of armor. The powers that be won’t see your wardrobe as a reason to reject you. One less thing to worry about when you step onto your battlefield every day whether it’s a college campus or a boardroom.

I don’t dress this way as an adult, but it was very important to my parents that I do so in HS and college. Chemically straightened hair. Shoes shined daily. They thought these things would protect me. They were wrong

It’s an easy to wear aesthetic. Your body is covered. Easy to modify for varied weather. You can go anywhere and be comfortable/presentable. You can do lots of activities without your clothes being a problem.

What even is it? Examples or links, please?

It’s what was popular during my formative years, and very much my mom’s style. Hate shopping so I’ve never really experimented with anything else (though I’m now aging into Eileen Fisher).

Anonymous wrote:Middle class strivers + its “safe” for people who don’t have any creativity

People that put all of their "creativity" into their clothing tend to be kind of boring.

So what if preppy isn't terribly exciting. It's a clean aesthetic. Looks good on most people. And lets them get on with their day without being consumed by their appearance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lack of creativity. No personality = WASP

I like my personality to be my personality. Not my clothes.

That IS your personality though.