Clothing

• Preppy fashion is characterized by a clean, crisp look. The common polo shirt is a staple of a preppy fashion and all colors are considered acceptable, although bright pastels are a particularly popular choice. The standard oxford shirt is also a top pick for both male and female prepsters. When the weather gets cold, a cashmere sweater coupled with an oxford or polo works well. Ladies should look for a good v-neck while the male prepsters should consider a nice crewneck sweater.
  
  Khakis, either in the form of pants or shorts, are the quintessential style. The clean, crisp and simple lines make the Khaki a classic prep item. In more recent years, the plaid short has also become a popular item for those into the preppy look. Women can wear a nice plaid short as well, or a khaki mini-skirt for warm weather. When it gets cold, a tailored pant or skirt is great. Grey, khaki, black and brown are all acceptable color options. All items must be clean, crisp and wrinkle-free.
  
  

Brands

• Top brands for prep dressers include J. Crew, Banana Republic, Lacoste and Polo, however Tommy Hilfiger and more obscure brands such as Tommy Bahama, Benjamin Bixby are much beloved. Shoes follow the same brand loyalties, although a great Oxford from Alto is considered a staple by the preppy community. Boat shoes by top brands are also a great summer pick for the prepster and can work their way into fall. Once the cold weather comes, those boat shoes can replaced by a pair of Clarks Wallabies in black, gray or brown. They must be Clarks as other brands are considered inferior.
  
  The ladies can also find their clothing in Banana Republic, but many brands are valued as well. Ralph Lauren, Ann Taylor and Lacoste offer up top preppy fashion for the ladies.
  
  

Men's Accessories

• No preppy guy is complete without a few great accessories. The jewelry needs to be kept to an absolute minimum. A plain silver chain will do the trick and even a beaded necklace can be pulled off, as long as it is subtle. Jewelry is best left to the ladies, according to the preppy culture. A great pair of sunglasses or a man-bag is perfectly acceptable though. Ray-Ban Wayfarers are popular with the preppy crowd as are Gucci and Louis Vuitton sunglasses. All are rather expensive, but they are worth the investment as long as you know how to hold onto your shades.
  
  As for the Man-bag a great messenger bag in brown leather is a perfect way for a prepster male to carry his goods. Don't be afraid of the bag, just make sure you are buying a men's bag. L.L. Bean and J. Crew both carry good bags for men and they are very masculine and timeless.
  
  

Women's Accessories

• The ladies can spruce up any outfit with some great accessories, but in true preppy style everything should be kept clean and classic. A great pearl necklace or a simple silver bracelet can make an entire outfit. Bags can be worn in just about any color but the bag should never overpower the person. As a rule of thumb, a great prepster bag should be done in a nice classic leather and never be a large hobo style bag.
  
  Makeup should be clean and light as well. A bit of bronzer and some mascara and eyeliner should do the trick. A true prepster need not go all out with the face painting.