A true prep can very easily tell the difference between a real prep, and fake one. Most true preps attend private school, or at least have multiple family members that did. Most preppies come from WASP families. Don't think that just because you shop at J. Crew that you can be preppy. It's a lifestyle.
Preppies do tend to shop at L.L. Bean, Lands End, J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines, and more. Preppies buy into these stores because of the better quality and appearance. Some common preppy shoes are top-siders (the classic sperry's), penny loafers, L.L. Bean boots, ribbon flip-flops, and others.
Preppies tend to vacation on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and in Maine. They go there every summer and probably have houses there. Preppies usually don't say the full name of such places. For example they will say they are going to "Newport", "Edgartown", or even "I'm flying into ACK". Preppies love the outdoors and playing preppy sports, like lacrosse.

Preppies DO NOT:
- wear over-revealing or skin tight clothing
- pop their collars (this is debated but if you really are a TRUE prep, it is fine to pop your collar but for any semi-preps or fake preps you seem to be trying too hard and end up looking like a douche.)
- Wear an excessive amount of make-up ("less is more")
- Vacation at places like the Jersey Shore
- Talk about being preppy.

I agree with most of the definitions. Preps always have to have there collars popped, they need to wear brands such as Lacoste, Ralph Lauren polo, Lilly, Brooks Brother, etc….. But the one thing I disagree with is that all preps live in New England. I live in Michigan, but I use to live in Connecticut, and I go to a prep school and I wear all of the brands listed above and I’m very preppy, so not all preps live in New England.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What is up with all these really long definitions dissing preps???? This is wrong! All these people who define preps as stupid, annoying, A&F and A&E wearing snobs are totally WRONG!!!! Preps are smart and nice and if you didn't know that, you've proably never meta real prep before or you're just jealous of us! FYI real preps do not wear AF, AE and Hollister. We tend to go for more classic, conservative stores and we do not wear Miss.Sixty jeans!! Holy shit! All you people that think have obviously never seen or met a REAL Prep!!