It seems that far too many people define a preppy as a snob who dresses like a slut, and who trashes others.
In fact, the exact opposite would better define a preppy. Preppies are known for their charm, their ability to make anyone feel welcome, no matter their background or lifestyle.
However, to be honest, preppies live very sheltered lifestyles and do not often have to interact with those labeled as "emo" or "gothic." The reason for this is that most young preppies have never experienced life outside of their prep school (boarding or day), country club, and summers on the cape.
Preppies live very privileged lives (and we all know it too) and they are grateful for the opportunities given to them. They realize that not everyone lives a charmed life and are therefore not brats such as those on MTV's Super Sweet 16, but rather they acknowledge how much mom and dad have done to give them a good life, and are properly grateful.
Another defining characteristic of preppies is their work ethic. Preppies work hard for good grades, and to be admitted to top-tier prep schools and colleges. The myth about daddy paying for stupid kids to go to Yale is not true. Our parents feel we should work to get ourselves to the top, and our work ethic usually pays off, which is why you find us at colleges such as Dartmouth, Middlebury, and Yale.
There is, of course, the matter of the distinct preppy clothing style. Rather than the mall shops such as Hollister, Old Navy, and American Eagle where the so-called "mainstream preps" shop, a real New England preppy shops at stores such as Vineyard Vines, J.Crew, Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, and Murray's. These clothes are admittedly more expensive than those found in the mall, but they are of much better quality, and therefore last longer, proving to be a smarter, better investment. Preppies have expensive clothes, but they hang in their closets for years, until they are no longer acceptable for public wear. The reason we can get away with wearing clothing for so long is because preppies do not follow trends. The preppy style of polos (collars popped essentially until marriage), khakis, topsiders, and other classic pieces has been in style for decades, and will continue to be in style for decades to come.
In fact, the exact opposite would better define a preppy. Preppies are known for their charm, their ability to make anyone feel welcome, no matter their background or lifestyle.
However, to be honest, preppies live very sheltered lifestyles and do not often have to interact with those labeled as "emo" or "gothic." The reason for this is that most young preppies have never experienced life outside of their prep school (boarding or day), country club, and summers on the cape.
Preppies live very privileged lives (and we all know it too) and they are grateful for the opportunities given to them. They realize that not everyone lives a charmed life and are therefore not brats such as those on MTV's Super Sweet 16, but rather they acknowledge how much mom and dad have done to give them a good life, and are properly grateful.
Another defining characteristic of preppies is their work ethic. Preppies work hard for good grades, and to be admitted to top-tier prep schools and colleges. The myth about daddy paying for stupid kids to go to Yale is not true. Our parents feel we should work to get ourselves to the top, and our work ethic usually pays off, which is why you find us at colleges such as Dartmouth, Middlebury, and Yale.
There is, of course, the matter of the distinct preppy clothing style. Rather than the mall shops such as Hollister, Old Navy, and American Eagle where the so-called "mainstream preps" shop, a real New England preppy shops at stores such as Vineyard Vines, J.Crew, Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, and Murray's. These clothes are admittedly more expensive than those found in the mall, but they are of much better quality, and therefore last longer, proving to be a smarter, better investment. Preppies have expensive clothes, but they hang in their closets for years, until they are no longer acceptable for public wear. The reason we can get away with wearing clothing for so long is because preppies do not follow trends. The preppy style of polos (collars popped essentially until marriage), khakis, topsiders, and other classic pieces has been in style for decades, and will continue to be in style for decades to come.
A preppy girl can be spotted at Dartmouth because she is the one in the green lacrosse uniform, with a bright pink ribbon tied around her ponytail.
A preppy boy is the one sailing at Yale. He's wearing a classic hemp bracelet, and his skin is perfectly and evenly tanned from summering on Martha's Vineyard.
A preppy boy is the one sailing at Yale. He's wearing a classic hemp bracelet, and his skin is perfectly and evenly tanned from summering on Martha's Vineyard.
by Born and raised in Exeter February 4, 2008
A Prep is one who above all has class. Yes, some may be snobs - but its just to put others in their places. Only kidding. Preps have a good sense of humor, of course. A prep can be seen sporting Lacoste, Polo, J.Crew, Lilly, Rainbow sandals, boat shoes, etc. Popped collars and searsuckers are ALWAYS found in a preps closet. Girls are not seen without their pearls. Most venture out with purses that could have been their grandmothers, such as Vera Bradley, and they must be monogrammed! Croakies are worn to keep sunglasses on, and afternoons are spent on the boat, sailing, playing tennis, playing golf, at the fitness center, etc. Hair and nails are always perfect, and though preps do not wear make-up, they always look flawless. Pink is a must-have. Alwys looks as though dressed to have brunch at the club. Well-off. Two houses - one downtown, one on the beach. Nice cars - Mercedes, BMW, Lexis, or older models of volvos, jeeps, tahoes, etc. Private Prep Schools then Southern University. In a sorority or fraternity. Parents are lawyers or doctors, or just have family money.
Preps are conservative and classy. Preps are not: Abercrombie, American Eagle, Mall clothes, etc. Preps are not public school. Preps are not trashy.
Preps are conservative and classy. Preps are not: Abercrombie, American Eagle, Mall clothes, etc. Preps are not public school. Preps are not trashy.
While having tea with her grandmother at the club, the girl saw many other preps; all were wearing searsucker or nantucket red pants, lacoste shirts with the collars popped, croakies, rainbows or boat shoes, and the girls all had on their pearls.
by a prep July 10, 2005
Characterizes a young, wealthy individual who keeps up with the latest fashion trends, usually styles which include brands like Abercrombie and Fitch, Polo, Nautica, and others.
Feels elevated from the masses or commoners in terms of style, social graces, popularity, and suaveness. Hobbies include lawn games, golf, boating, and being seen.
Typically the offspring of a yuppie. Most likely will develop into a frat boy or sorostitute once they reach college before becoming yuppies themselves.
Feels elevated from the masses or commoners in terms of style, social graces, popularity, and suaveness. Hobbies include lawn games, golf, boating, and being seen.
Typically the offspring of a yuppie. Most likely will develop into a frat boy or sorostitute once they reach college before becoming yuppies themselves.
"Look at that preppie over there. After class, he must be going up to the lake to ride around on his dad's Cobalt boat."
by BL April 21, 2004
Generally, the term "Preppy" is attributed to an individual who has lived that sort of lifestyle because of birth and social standing. The term "Preppy" is currently overused to describe Nouveau Riche and Upper middle- middle class fraternity/ sorority members who dress in "bright" colors hoping to symbolize that they "live" that sort of lifestyle. First off, it's a scam, it's faux. True Preppies don't event try to be Preppies, they just are. It cannot be catagorized.
The majority of people trying to pull off the preppy vibe can never hope to achieve the social standing or bank accounts of a true, blood blooded, prepster.
The majority of people trying to pull off the preppy vibe can never hope to achieve the social standing or bank accounts of a true, blood blooded, prepster.
by CS Hagan September 7, 2006
Most of these definitions are pretty accurate, but none of them mention Canadian preps. We enjoy the same lifestyle as American preps, but we live in places like Oakville, London (ontario), Kanata, PEI, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, And some parts of British Columbia. We sail our boats on lake Ontario, we ride our horses along the Trans Canada trail, we don't shop at the malls, and if we do, it's only because they have stores like J Crew, Banana Republic, Lilly Pulitzer, or Ralph Lauren. We don't shop at Abercrombie and Fitch or American Eagle. We summer on the cape of in the vineyard. We belong to country clubs, and party as hard as we work. We attend boarding schools in the USA, or Candian ones like Ridley. Or we attend private or gifted/enriched day schools. We usually have pretty good relationships with our parents. We respect them, and they are very good to us. We live in historic (or historic looking) houses with manicured lawns and well cared for gardens. We don't have gigantic stone gargloyles or electric gates; we are not flashy! We don't really watch TV that much, though their are some shows we enjoy. We do our homework and plan to attend Universities like Yale, Princeton, McGill, or Queens. We aren't snobby, we're generally pretty nice and friendly people. We were brought up well by old money families. We'll end up marrying well to do preppy boys and raising preppy children. Most preps are caucasion, but we can be any race. We usually have straight, shoulder length (or longer) hair. We carry LL Bean totes with monograms on them.
A typical preppy outfit for girls: Lilly Pullitzer polo, J Crew critter shorts, Eliza B. flip flops, and a ribbon in our hair, of course.
A typical preppy outfit for boys: Khaki pants, a Ralph Lauren polo (collar popped, of course), Rainbow flipflops, and a sweater knotted around their shoulders.
Preppy is a lifestyle. NOT a trend!
A typical preppy outfit for girls: Lilly Pullitzer polo, J Crew critter shorts, Eliza B. flip flops, and a ribbon in our hair, of course.
A typical preppy outfit for boys: Khaki pants, a Ralph Lauren polo (collar popped, of course), Rainbow flipflops, and a sweater knotted around their shoulders.
Preppy is a lifestyle. NOT a trend!
1 :
Mimi: Wow, Muffy, look at Babs today!
Muffy: I know, she looks so cute today in her Lilly skirt and her tiffanys pearl necklace
Mimi: Don't you love the ribbon in her hair? It's so preppy!
1:
Babs: Hey girls, want to study for the Algebra test at my house tonight
Muffy: Sure!
Mimi: Sorry, I have a tennis match
Babs: Good luck!
Mimi: Wow, Muffy, look at Babs today!
Muffy: I know, she looks so cute today in her Lilly skirt and her tiffanys pearl necklace
Mimi: Don't you love the ribbon in her hair? It's so preppy!
1:
Babs: Hey girls, want to study for the Algebra test at my house tonight
Muffy: Sure!
Mimi: Sorry, I have a tennis match
Babs: Good luck!
by Mitsy July 6, 2007
An adjective that describes a lifestyle lived out by many small-town New Englanders. A prep hates to wear gaudy labels (such as Louis Vuitton) or slutty labels (such as Abercrombie & Fitch). It is a common misconception that Abercrombie & Fitch is the preferred clothing designer, but it's not. Classic designs by Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, Lilly Pulitzer, L.L. Bean, and J. Crew (for example) are where you can find a prep shopping. Vacation spots include all of the East coast (Florida, Nantucket, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Maine, etc.) and some small mid-west towns (Colorado, Utah, etc.).
A prep usually goes to a preparatory school for college, whether it is boarding or day then they will most likely continue on to a well-to-do East coast school.
Sports favored by preppy people are tennis, golf, squash, sailing, field hockey, skiing, lacrosse, ice hockey, raquet ball (ie. Country Club sports and sports offered at school).
A prep usually goes to a preparatory school for college, whether it is boarding or day then they will most likely continue on to a well-to-do East coast school.
Sports favored by preppy people are tennis, golf, squash, sailing, field hockey, skiing, lacrosse, ice hockey, raquet ball (ie. Country Club sports and sports offered at school).
That girl with the pearls is very preppy in her Jack Rogers and Madra pants.
That boy in the docksiders is very preppy in his aqua blue Lacoste shirt.
That boy in the docksiders is very preppy in his aqua blue Lacoste shirt.
by The Preppy Girls Club February 18, 2004
I know youv heard it before but it is extremely true: preppy is not about what u wear it is about the lifestyle. Most preps are born preppy into a preppy family. the most preppy is “waspy” families (white anglo-saxon protestant), followed behind by catholics and jews, although i have seen many black, hispanic, asian etc preps too.
-PREPPY CLOTHING: Preppy stores are mainly the ones you can find in nordstrom or bloomingdales: lacoste, ralph lauren, and many others. North Faces are the newest jackets for preps, and abercrombie could be considered the "neo-prep" by some, but dont overbuy abercrombie. Hollister and Aeropostale is not preppy, but preps can own clothes from there. American Eagle can be preppy, but as abercrombie dont overbuy. For males, polos are a must, in many colors. Khakis, rope belts and bracelets, sandals, sweaters or north face fleeces, etc. Girls have a larger variety, included polos as well, tanks, khakis, fitting sweaters, ribbons, rope belts, sandals etc ( beleive me there are a LOT more)
-PREPPY AREAS: Most preps live in the northeast, but many can be found in California. Westchester, NY; Greenwich, CT, etc are places where many preps can be found. Most attend prep or boarding schools, yet many attend suburban public schools. They do well in school, which runs in their family, and go off to similar colleges as their parents, primarily ivy league
-PREPPY CARS: Preppy cars are important for they are the first impression in many cases. Preppy families should have at least three cars: An SUV, a sedan, and a sports car. Mercedes, BMW, Lexus ect make great SUVs and sedans, as well as sports cars. But for sports cars, its necessary to think out of the box. Porsches are popular for preps
-PREPPY ATTITUDE AND OVERALL LIFESTYLE: Preps have many friends but may not be the most popular in their school. They are not stuck up and find no need to brag, people already know they are rich. Prep dads are business executives and real estate investors. Mothers are usually working mothers, either involved in their husbands business or successful on their own (for example successful lawyers). They are NOT stuck up, as their children, but they enjoy to spend time with families similar to theirs. They are not unaware of their children's lives, yet they dont need to be too involved because their children are doing fine on their own.
-PREPPY SPORTS AND ACTIVITES: Preps play sports they can play their entire lives, tennis and golf at their country clubs with their family and family friends, as well as lacrosse or soccer at their schools. Girls can be cheerleaders, but its not necessary
-PREPPY PETS: Preps do NOT have small ugly dogs that they carry around with them. Usually preps hav medium sized white dogs (such as bichons or poodles) or large, dark furred dogs with their heads high (such as Great Danes).
-PREPPY HOMES: Preps live in large houses, with European style exteriors and neo-classic, antique interiors. They also have other houses, such as winter homes in the mountains or summer homes. Florida condos are a popular vacation spots for preps. Winter is spent skiing, in Colorado and the Alps; Spring break is spent in the Hamptons, or Florida, or other vacation spots. Summer is spent in Europe and at the country club. Family trips dominate parent trips (usually to vineyards) but they are popular too.
Overall, preps are the ideal person, in the ideal family and the ideal school. They are moderately rich, and will be rich when they grow up. Many have "old money", but still some dont. They have an attitude that is NOT stuck up, yet still hav an air of importance. Preppy Brand names, country clubs, and trips to preppy vacation spots are important. And ultimately bragging is unnecessary, if you really are preppy and rich, people will know.
-PREPPY CLOTHING: Preppy stores are mainly the ones you can find in nordstrom or bloomingdales: lacoste, ralph lauren, and many others. North Faces are the newest jackets for preps, and abercrombie could be considered the "neo-prep" by some, but dont overbuy abercrombie. Hollister and Aeropostale is not preppy, but preps can own clothes from there. American Eagle can be preppy, but as abercrombie dont overbuy. For males, polos are a must, in many colors. Khakis, rope belts and bracelets, sandals, sweaters or north face fleeces, etc. Girls have a larger variety, included polos as well, tanks, khakis, fitting sweaters, ribbons, rope belts, sandals etc ( beleive me there are a LOT more)
-PREPPY AREAS: Most preps live in the northeast, but many can be found in California. Westchester, NY; Greenwich, CT, etc are places where many preps can be found. Most attend prep or boarding schools, yet many attend suburban public schools. They do well in school, which runs in their family, and go off to similar colleges as their parents, primarily ivy league
-PREPPY CARS: Preppy cars are important for they are the first impression in many cases. Preppy families should have at least three cars: An SUV, a sedan, and a sports car. Mercedes, BMW, Lexus ect make great SUVs and sedans, as well as sports cars. But for sports cars, its necessary to think out of the box. Porsches are popular for preps
-PREPPY ATTITUDE AND OVERALL LIFESTYLE: Preps have many friends but may not be the most popular in their school. They are not stuck up and find no need to brag, people already know they are rich. Prep dads are business executives and real estate investors. Mothers are usually working mothers, either involved in their husbands business or successful on their own (for example successful lawyers). They are NOT stuck up, as their children, but they enjoy to spend time with families similar to theirs. They are not unaware of their children's lives, yet they dont need to be too involved because their children are doing fine on their own.
-PREPPY SPORTS AND ACTIVITES: Preps play sports they can play their entire lives, tennis and golf at their country clubs with their family and family friends, as well as lacrosse or soccer at their schools. Girls can be cheerleaders, but its not necessary
-PREPPY PETS: Preps do NOT have small ugly dogs that they carry around with them. Usually preps hav medium sized white dogs (such as bichons or poodles) or large, dark furred dogs with their heads high (such as Great Danes).
-PREPPY HOMES: Preps live in large houses, with European style exteriors and neo-classic, antique interiors. They also have other houses, such as winter homes in the mountains or summer homes. Florida condos are a popular vacation spots for preps. Winter is spent skiing, in Colorado and the Alps; Spring break is spent in the Hamptons, or Florida, or other vacation spots. Summer is spent in Europe and at the country club. Family trips dominate parent trips (usually to vineyards) but they are popular too.
Overall, preps are the ideal person, in the ideal family and the ideal school. They are moderately rich, and will be rich when they grow up. Many have "old money", but still some dont. They have an attitude that is NOT stuck up, yet still hav an air of importance. Preppy Brand names, country clubs, and trips to preppy vacation spots are important. And ultimately bragging is unnecessary, if you really are preppy and rich, people will know.
Preppy Mother: come, son, your dad's out in the mercedes ready to go play golf at the club and he wants you to join us!
by the drex April 22, 2007