It’s hard to imagine that next year, it will be 45 years since ‘The Official Preppy Handbook’ was published. Written by Lisa Birnbach and Jonathan Roberts, it parodied the attire and lifestyle of the North East coast American elite, aka W.A.S.P.S. It was a style promoted by designers Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, as well as chain stores such as Gap and Abercrombie & Fitch.
As the years have gone by the preppy look has all but lost its ironic edge replaced by a feeling of nostalgia for the pre-Internet era. It has become a standard style internationally, traversing race, class and gender.
The hashtag #Ralphcore has been trending on TikTok this year as hip New Yorkers and Los Angelenos have embraced key elements of the designer’s Polo brand. This has inspired consumers to embrace bright colors, striped patterns, conversation prints and ‘eighties silhouettes.
Four months before the SS25 runway shows there are signals that an updated preppy style will be a major trend. Several looks from this years’ collections have given clues as to the key items.
Sinead Gorey SS24/ Look 26 Credits: Courtesy/ Sinead Gorey SS24
Look 26: a three-tiered rah-rah skirt in green, navy and yellow and a tight navy tee with a re-colored Union Jack flag logo
Ksenia Schnaid SS24/ Look 25 Credits: Courtesy/Ksenia Schnaid SS24
Look 25: in a collaboration with Adidas, an oversized knit top in a patchwork of different prints including various stripes with wide leg dark denim jeans.
The One-Shoulder Tank Top
Kujten Joko SS24
Kujten Joko SS24 Credits: Courtesy/ Kujten Joko SS24
A variegated striped one-shoulder tank top in pink, green and yellow was shown with pink bikini bottoms, shell jewelry and a bucket hat.
