I’ve been called a style chameleon because I often bounce back and forth from preppy to posh. While I love a neutral color palette and chic oversized blazer, I will forever adore Lilly Pulitzer’s bold prints and tee shirts from Vineyard Vines. Give me ALL the ruffles, Lilly Pulitzer dresses, pom-pom fringe and pink!
I personally love appreciating different types of fashion and could never be satisfied with just one aesthetic! I live along the East Coast in Virginia where southerners, foreigners, hipsters, crunchies and other types of individuals who come from various backgrounds reside together. Though this state is considered the south, it isn’t too far away from the North Eastern United States either. Such an assorted area has provided me with the ability to appreciate many style varieties. A few in particular have stuck with me over the years however: preppy and posh.
The Prep Side
One thing I particularly love about preppy fashion is that, in a way, it is timeless. A pearl necklace will always match a pin stripe button up. A gingham top will forever look great with white shorts and Jack Rodgers. You can truly invest in quality pieces with preppy brands like Ralph Lauren, Vineyard Vines and J. Crew because they can be worn many times beyond one season. Trends come and go, but classic style remains the backbone of fashion. Aside from a reliable classic preppy look, one of the main reasons why I often find myself gravitating back towards the preppy side because I truly feel that I get the most out of my money. Saving some cash or getting practical use out of fashion is a huge part of my purchasing decision when I buy new pieces.
I don’t mind buying a few trendy pieces for a season that are affordable because I may not use it as much the next year – or at all. Whereas with preppy fashion, I have dresses and tops that I purchased years ago and still wear avidly. Timeless preppy fashion has served me well! Don’t get me wrong though, I fully endorse staying on trend to avoid being outdated or stuck in my ways. I always buy a few trendy pieces every season because they’re either in style or go with a certain look I want to achieve. However, I try to keep budget in mind when considering these purchases because in a year or two, they’re likely to end up in my thrift store donation bag.
Aside from saving money and having a reliable look, buying preppy clothes brings me so much joy (shopping in general makes me very happy LOL)! Out of all the many pieces I’ve purchased within the last few years, 90% of the ones that brought a smile to my face or made me want to wear it right out of the store, were preppy. I don’t know what it is about a monogramed pocket or obnoxiously colored top with a pom-pom hem. Preppy clothes and accessories does something to bring me joy!
Preppy Blended with Posh
Preppy fashion aside, the foundation of my style is stylish simplicity. I don’t overly accessorize or layer pieces to create an intricate look. I personally let the pieces speak for themselves and usually maintain a minimalistic balance in my looks – which is why I often gravitate towards a simple preppy look. I typically retain a neutral palette because there is something undeniably refined about them. In my mind, it doesn’t get more chic than matching an oversized blazer with a silk cami, simple denim jean and block heel – adding chunkier jewelry and bright lip to bring some level of statement to the look. There is a time and place to be overstated, but for the day-to-day I love a simple and posh look like this! I often find inspiration for looks like these in street style and couture bloggers. There is so much variety in elevated fashion to be replicated through affordable stores like H&M and online boutiques, so this is a big part of my go-to looks in the fall and winter.
I love being able to wear whatever is appropriate for the occasion and season, transition from preppy to posh. I love the chic aesthetic that couture inspired looks bring to my closet, but there’s just something about preppy fashion that I will forever adore – no matter how wild the print or girly the bow!
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