if i were you, i'd flip through the catalog of ralph lauren and j crew (and the like) and take inspiration. if you find something you like that's out of your budget, look for copies of it elsewhere. there are sure to be copies.

As many PPs have noted, prep is all about the basics -- good quality and cut, mostly neutrals with the occasional pop of color (this is the New England version). But, I beg you -- update your outfit with a little twist via accessories; otherwise, it starts to look like you're still living in the early '80s. Good times back then, yeah, but they're so over, babe. You don't want to end up like the characters in Last Days of Disco.

This is exactly what I was thinking
http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/gallery/kate-middleton-in-skinny-jeans/

I have seen some cute blazers at Zara. Watch Kate Middleton OP especially her casual day looks.

blazers provide structure and dress-up the look. they look great with skinny jeans.

I like blazers, but I think they make me look less boxy than cardigans.

The trick is to get a feminine, fitted one without huge lapels/shoulder pads.

Cashmere sweaters trump all, though.

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand all the blazer suggestions. I dress preppy and have never owned one and most of the women I know who dress in a preppy, classic fashion don't wear one routinely. It would be the last thing I would add to a wardrobe.

Agree. I wore one in college (with monogrammed buttons) but I don't think I have since.

I don't understand all the blazer suggestions. I dress preppy and have never owned one and most of the women I know who dress in a preppy, classic fashion don't wear one routinely. It would be the last thing I would add to a wardrobe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No way I'm going to spend 600-1000 on any article of clothing. Have you every heard of Loehmann's?

Yes, I have heard of them. Most stuff there is ugly. It's not about the brand, it's about quality though the two are correlated. I would always much rather buy a full price item at Banana Republic or J. Crew rather than "good deal" branded crap from a discount retailer. And I own several Burberry trenches and jackets (not the quilt, of course, which doesn't flatter anyone) so I do believe that, on average, brands make better clothing.

I'm the PP quoted above. If this works for you, that's great. My HHI in under 150k a year we have three kids. No way I'd want or be able to spend a grand on a trenchcoat. I also feel it's unnecessary. I bought a very nice, classic one last week for less than $200. Just because a label says Burberry doesn't make it better than one that says something else. I find this is especially true if you stick to classic neutral colors like navy, beige/taupe or black. This is just my opinion of course -- I just feel the classic preppy look is easily achieved even on a budget.

My HHI is higher, but I also bought these before I had kids. They still look great. Yours might look great as well. Though to be honest, I paid my trench more like $400 - unbelievably, I found a tan single-breasted Burberry trench in my size on sale.

The point is not that one needs to spend a lot of money on anything (and even less, that spending guarantees anything), in my opinion, if one wants to dress really good (to the point of getting compliments on a daily basis) she needs to be ready to sometimes spend big bucs especially on big items. People often ask me where I bought this or that, and because it's not obviously branded they assume it's affordable. Often it is, but sometimes it's not.

To be totally honest here, my best friend is a stylist and she disagrees. Her approach is never to spend more than $100 on any clothing item. But then she suggested some of my most expensive items to me and, in any case, I think I dress better than her (because I spend more - her taste is much better).

I just got a Lilly raincoat at a consignment shop for $40, looks like it has never been worn

I totally agree. I bought a trench last spring for 40.00 (on sale). it fits perfectly and looks much more expensive. I get a lot of compliments when I wear it because it fits so well (I also have a Burberry, but this one is more tailored to enhance my curves). Check out the outlets, and back to school sales. Also just start with the basics and build your wardrobe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No way I'm going to spend 600-1000 on any article of clothing. Have you every heard of Loehmann's?

Yes, I have heard of them. Most stuff there is ugly. It's not about the brand, it's about quality though the two are correlated. I would always much rather buy a full price item at Banana Republic or J. Crew rather than "good deal" branded crap from a discount retailer. And I own several Burberry trenches and jackets (not the quilt, of course, which doesn't flatter anyone) so I do believe that, on average, brands make better clothing.

I'm the PP quoted above. If this works for you, that's great. My HHI in under 150k a year we have three kids. No way I'd want or be able to spend a grand on a trenchcoat. I also feel it's unnecessary. I bought a very nice, classic one last week for less than $200. Just because a label says Burberry doesn't make it better than one that says something else. I find this is especially true if you stick to classic neutral colors like navy, beige/taupe or black. This is just my opinion of course -- I just feel the classic preppy look is easily achieved even on a budget.