adjective
This word found its start with the term "Prep School", or preperatory school, which is an elite high school where teenagers live in dormitories on campus. (i.e. Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts - shout out to all my girls at PA!!!) Since these schools are populated by a particular class of people, with a particular style, the adjective PREPPY emerged.
'Preppy' can refer to members of a certain social class, but can also be more generally used as description of personal style.
In terms of style, the stereotype is a mixture of pink-and-green. Pants are typically khakis, Nantucket Reds, and, for men, often khaki-cotton-material in bright neon colors such as pink and lime green. The epitome of preppy pants are the latter, decorated by a pattern of sewn-in whales of a darker contrasting shade. Classic button-down shirts, usually solid or striped, are common, as well as solid and striped polos. The collars of the polo shirts are always "popped", or turned up instead of folded over. Often, polos of different colors are layered, the one on the bottom matching the skirt/pants, the belt, or the headband. Flip-flops are the coup de grace, no matter what the weather. However, when our toes are absolutely freezing off, we wear Uggs, with the tops folded over to expose the fur and our jeans tucked in. We wear v-neck cable-knits and argyles over button-downs. North Face jackets are a must. Pearls are best for jewelry. Excess hair products, jewelry, and make-up is frowned upon. Accessories include Nalgene bottles and tote bags.
In terms of the lifestyle, "preps", or preppy people, typically live in the New England area. They usually belong to Yacht Clubs, Beach Clubs, or Country Clubs, depending on which crowd they run with (i.e. The Eastern Yacht Club in Marblehead, Massachusetts). Their children go to private elementary and middle schools, and are attended by foreign female au pairs, to keep them out of their parents' way until they can be shipped off to boarding school (not that we mind much). They dress in preppy clothes (see above), and spend much of their time shopping to find them. The Jewish kids among them throw fabulous bar mitzvahs during middle school, and if the WASPs and Catholic kids get jealous, we throw even more fabulous Sweet Sixteens, which are similar to bar mitzvahs escept with less religion and more liquor. We all know each other. All of us. I know, it's hard to believe, but somehow we are all intermarried, or at least have some mutual friends. The women are either housewives on committees and boards and things, or they are incredibly successful professionals, like partners in a law firm or the head neurosurgeon at a hospital. The fathers make lots of money, and are always gone on business, and play lots of golf. Acceptable sports are lacrosse, soccer, crew, polo, and sometimes water polo. We are either radically liberal (like my family) or radically conservative, but we don't discuss politics unless everyone in the room is on the same side. We will all get into an Ivy League school. This is a necessity. We summer on the Cape, or the Hamptons, or Nantucket. We spend March break in Atlantis and Cancun and other trendy resorts. Contrary to popular belief, not all preppy people are wealthy - but the more money you have, the easier it is to fulfill the lifestyle and to enjoy its benefits.
This word found its start with the term "Prep School", or preperatory school, which is an elite high school where teenagers live in dormitories on campus. (i.e. Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts - shout out to all my girls at PA!!!) Since these schools are populated by a particular class of people, with a particular style, the adjective PREPPY emerged.
'Preppy' can refer to members of a certain social class, but can also be more generally used as description of personal style.
In terms of style, the stereotype is a mixture of pink-and-green. Pants are typically khakis, Nantucket Reds, and, for men, often khaki-cotton-material in bright neon colors such as pink and lime green. The epitome of preppy pants are the latter, decorated by a pattern of sewn-in whales of a darker contrasting shade. Classic button-down shirts, usually solid or striped, are common, as well as solid and striped polos. The collars of the polo shirts are always "popped", or turned up instead of folded over. Often, polos of different colors are layered, the one on the bottom matching the skirt/pants, the belt, or the headband. Flip-flops are the coup de grace, no matter what the weather. However, when our toes are absolutely freezing off, we wear Uggs, with the tops folded over to expose the fur and our jeans tucked in. We wear v-neck cable-knits and argyles over button-downs. North Face jackets are a must. Pearls are best for jewelry. Excess hair products, jewelry, and make-up is frowned upon. Accessories include Nalgene bottles and tote bags.
In terms of the lifestyle, "preps", or preppy people, typically live in the New England area. They usually belong to Yacht Clubs, Beach Clubs, or Country Clubs, depending on which crowd they run with (i.e. The Eastern Yacht Club in Marblehead, Massachusetts). Their children go to private elementary and middle schools, and are attended by foreign female au pairs, to keep them out of their parents' way until they can be shipped off to boarding school (not that we mind much). They dress in preppy clothes (see above), and spend much of their time shopping to find them. The Jewish kids among them throw fabulous bar mitzvahs during middle school, and if the WASPs and Catholic kids get jealous, we throw even more fabulous Sweet Sixteens, which are similar to bar mitzvahs escept with less religion and more liquor. We all know each other. All of us. I know, it's hard to believe, but somehow we are all intermarried, or at least have some mutual friends. The women are either housewives on committees and boards and things, or they are incredibly successful professionals, like partners in a law firm or the head neurosurgeon at a hospital. The fathers make lots of money, and are always gone on business, and play lots of golf. Acceptable sports are lacrosse, soccer, crew, polo, and sometimes water polo. We are either radically liberal (like my family) or radically conservative, but we don't discuss politics unless everyone in the room is on the same side. We will all get into an Ivy League school. This is a necessity. We summer on the Cape, or the Hamptons, or Nantucket. We spend March break in Atlantis and Cancun and other trendy resorts. Contrary to popular belief, not all preppy people are wealthy - but the more money you have, the easier it is to fulfill the lifestyle and to enjoy its benefits.
The taller girl snorted out a laugh, and her nose ring wobbled a little as her face settled into a derisive sneer. "Look," she said derisively, her voice deliberately too loud, "the preps are slumming it on our side of town." The group looked up at the sound of her voice, scowling back at her triumphant smile. They looked like they had just stepped out of a J. Crew catalog, but were beginning to get the distinct impression that they took a wrong turn and ended up in hell.
by PA gal February 12, 2005
Get the preppymug. most of the people on this site truly have no idea what preppy is. preppy is a way of life, a style, a feeling. it is NOT Abercrombie and Fitch or AE. Not classy enough.
by sara May 13, 2005
Get the preppymug. Preppy is NOT about being a cheerleader who is very snobby. to be a prep you need to live on the northern east coast (no, preps are not from california). preps play sports but do not have to be athletic. these sports include tennis, golf, polo, horseback riding, sailing, lacrosse, baseball... etc. there is a huge controversy over the fashions that preppy people wear. preps do not wear revealing or tight clothing. polo shirt, capris, sweater sets, ribbons in the hair, ribbon belts,knee socks,and loafers are common preppy clothing styles. brands such as lily, lacoste, ralph lauren, and birkenstock are common. stores like a&f and american eagle are preppy too, but some clothes from these stores are too revealing or tight to be considered preppy. the most important thing to know is that preps are classy, put togther, and natural looking.
by Rachel April 1, 2005
Get the preppymug. Someone who attends or has attended a prep school, and is usually wealthy and Caucasian. Examples of preppy fashion include tying one's sweater around one's neck, duck boots, wearing polo shirts with the collar up, and anything pearl or pink and green. "Wannabe prep" refers to people who are snobby and not truly preppy. They might be found wearing Abercrombie and Fitch, for example, instead of Lacoste.
She goes to that exclusive Connecticut boarding school, and she's so preppy, she even wears her collar up.
by Lacoste Girl November 17, 2003
Get the preppymug. Person who wears above listed brand names, but NOT Abercrombie and American Eagle unless they find a SERIOUSLY good catch. Someone who dresses pretty conservatively, NOT provacatively, and creates trends, DOESN'T follow them. Someone who spends a minimal amount of time on hair and makeup NOT someone who puts on 50 layers of foundation.
Preppy people are very multitalented and get hated for either: a. Being so "perfect" (even though no one is) b. Being fake by pretending they aren't good at things c. Being cocky by acknowledging that they're good at things d. Basically being blamed for the social retardedness of others as a venting tool e. Frustration that others can't use the "you're gonna pump my gas" argument because preps are actually smarter than them.
Things that get on a prep's nerves: a. people who wear Abercrombie and say they're preppy but aren't b. girls who pile on makeup and dress like sluts c. people who don't like them because they're preppy (how so you spell HYPOCRITE?!?) d. people who try to be preppy, don't quite hit the mark, and give preps a bad name
Preps generally do come from preparatory schools. That's where the name was generated from. However, some preps have been transported against their will to public schools where they continue to spread the word of true preppiness.
Preps are true friends and aren't concerned about being popular so much as they are concerned that people actually like them. Preps can actually have pretty delicate egos underneath and value true friends over everything.
Preppy people are very multitalented and get hated for either: a. Being so "perfect" (even though no one is) b. Being fake by pretending they aren't good at things c. Being cocky by acknowledging that they're good at things d. Basically being blamed for the social retardedness of others as a venting tool e. Frustration that others can't use the "you're gonna pump my gas" argument because preps are actually smarter than them.
Things that get on a prep's nerves: a. people who wear Abercrombie and say they're preppy but aren't b. girls who pile on makeup and dress like sluts c. people who don't like them because they're preppy (how so you spell HYPOCRITE?!?) d. people who try to be preppy, don't quite hit the mark, and give preps a bad name
Preps generally do come from preparatory schools. That's where the name was generated from. However, some preps have been transported against their will to public schools where they continue to spread the word of true preppiness.
Preps are true friends and aren't concerned about being popular so much as they are concerned that people actually like them. Preps can actually have pretty delicate egos underneath and value true friends over everything.
by cheli February 28, 2004
Get the preppymug. by a student at middlesex school September 16, 2005
Get the preppymug. A guy or girl who dresses perfectly without trying to. They appear to do everything well and with ease. They are frequently the descendants of "old" money and are very well off financially. Despite this, they don't need obsequious displays of wealth (i.e. wearing Versace) to convey that they are better off than everyone else. The usual clothing of choice is Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, Lilly, L.L. Bean, J. Press, and Brooks Brothers to name a few. Abercrombie & Fitch is *not* a preppy staple, as it has been co-opted by the nouveau and hoi polloi. Connecticut has more preppies per square mile than any other state (i should know, i was born and raised there, a child of privilege). The highest concentration of them are on Connecticut's "Gold Coast", Westport, Darien, New Canaan, with smaller yet densely clustered habitations in Madison, Clinton, Guilford, West Hartford, Glastonbury, Farmington, Avon, Old Saybrook and Stonington. No, East Lyme isn't preppy, they're poseurs, simply nouveau riche trash flaunting daddy's hard-earned money. Preppies aren't snobs, per se, they simply don't wish to waste their intellect and humor on a lesser being, hence the popular notion of their being snobs. They simply have their style, mannerisms, codified behavior and traditions. One cannot be a preppy unless you are born into this station in life. Don't worry poseurs; they real preps can see through your pretenses, false as they are. They vacation in places not likely to be frequented by trash or nouveau riches, so they revel in places such as Martha's Vineyard, Block Island, Fisher's Island, Hilton Head Island and Sanibel Island. To the trained eye, once can identify a Connecticut preppie immediately. Because, quite simply, Connecticut preps are top shelf. It's key.
The place: The Caribe Hilton, San Juan Puerto Rico.
The date: Christmas Eve, 2004
The scene: the bar/club at the Caribe Hilton. A large group, a family walks into the club, ages ranging from early teens to adults in their 50's. They are all clad in pastels, khakis, collars popped up, the Polo horse insignia emblazoned on all of their shirts, no noticeable makeup on the females, conservative hair styles for the males and females, they all have a healthy glow to their perfect caucasian complexions. They sit at a table and appear to enjoy themselves immensely. Theirs is a clubby, exclusive circle that cannot be penetrated or imitated by wannabees or other covetous outsiders. An onlooker in the club turns to his wife and comments: "Where are THEY from?" His wife replys, matter of factly, "From Connecticut, dear, can't you tell?"
The date: Christmas Eve, 2004
The scene: the bar/club at the Caribe Hilton. A large group, a family walks into the club, ages ranging from early teens to adults in their 50's. They are all clad in pastels, khakis, collars popped up, the Polo horse insignia emblazoned on all of their shirts, no noticeable makeup on the females, conservative hair styles for the males and females, they all have a healthy glow to their perfect caucasian complexions. They sit at a table and appear to enjoy themselves immensely. Theirs is a clubby, exclusive circle that cannot be penetrated or imitated by wannabees or other covetous outsiders. An onlooker in the club turns to his wife and comments: "Where are THEY from?" His wife replys, matter of factly, "From Connecticut, dear, can't you tell?"
by Preppy in Connecticut May 3, 2005
Get the preppymug.