by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I just finished reading The Beautiful and the Damned, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s fascinating tale of a society couple, whose life becomes entangled by the trappings of money and alcohol. The book follows the young life of Anthony Patch, a spoiled prep and supposed heir to his grandfather’s fortune, as he navigates through a rocky relationship with his beautiful wife Gloria. Though rather dark, Fitzgerald does an excellent job describing the energy and social scene of New York in the early 20s.

Preppy Rating: 3 bows

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If you have a question for the Preppy Girl email it to me at preppygirl@thepreppylife.com.

Dear Preppy Girl,
Firstly, let me say I LOVE YOUR BLOG. It is so comprehensive in everything preppy! My question is: whenever I wear polos I feel like a boy; are there any preppy alternatives to consider?

xoxo,
Royar

Dear Royar,
That is a tough question! I know what you mean about polos. I have never been a big fan of them myself. One of my stylish friends suggests dressing up your polos with ultra feminine accessories like a cute pair of espadrilles, dainty jewelry, and a girlie belt. If you shop around you can find some great slim-fit polos or even a halter polo.

Here are a few variations on the classic polo:

• Vineyard Vines Sleeveless Pique Polo
• Vineyard Vines Susie Fit Polo
• Lilly P. Michelle Sleeveless Polo

And here are a couple of stylish alternatives:

• Old Navy Ruffled Polo: A cute variation on the polo. Looks great with a pair of  short shorts, capris, or a skirt, and a few preppy accessories.

• Old Navy Embroidered Crinkle-Gauze Top: An fun alternative to the polo, still has sleeves, but a bit more feminine.

• The Limited Striped Bateau Top: This nautical top is a little bit more dressy than a traditional polo. Great for a casual dinner at the club.

Try to stock up on short sleeves now, there are a bunch of fantastic summer sales going on. I hope that helps!
-P.G.

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Don’t fret, you didn’t miss the prep school dance. This little white dress is not your thugly graduation gown. Everyone from Michelle Obama to Kate Bosworth has been spotted this summer wearing the little white dress or LWD. This preppy style has been popping up at parties all over the east and west coasts. Think short, modern and clean and Lilly has about a dozen styles to choose from. The best thing about the LWD is you can pair it with anything: from sky-high heels and thick bangles to grosgrain belts and polka dot purses.

For more summer prep fashion check out Preppy Summer Staples and Perfect Summer Dresses.

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Whether cooling at the country club or chilling on the beach, here are a few preppy essentials to get you through this summer heat.

For Guys:

1. Nantucket Reds – Critter shorts, pants, polos and more
2. Retro School T’s – Preferably of the Ivy League
3. Lacoste – Great for those hot weather tennis matches and golf games
4. Shorts – F+G makes the coolest customizable bermudas
5. Seersucker – Why don’t more men wear seersucker suits?
6. Vineyard Vines tie – A staple at preppy summer weddings
7. Madras – It goes with everything
8. Grosgrain, needle point, & club belts – Can’t leave home with out one.
9. Boat Shoes – Ahoy!

For Gals:

1. Lilly – Skirts, dresses, bathing suits, you name it, Lilly makes it pretty.
2. A little white dress
3. Madras patchwork skirt – A summer essential that never goes out of style
4. Navy Blue anything
5. Plenty of polos
6. A classic tote bag ala L.L. Bean – Perfect for storing your snacks, books, and beach blanket.
7. J. Crew flip-flops – Simply the best
8. A floppy straw hat- A must have for the beach
9. Jackie O. Sunglasses – The bigger the better
10. Sailor Stripes: H&M, J. Crew, Old Navy, everyone is making them this year, it’s a perfect time to stock up!
    

    Stripes Galore at H&M

For more preppy fashion check out Preppy Style 101: Dressing the Part and Preppy Essentials.

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If you have a question for the Preppy Girl email it to me at preppygirl@thepreppylife.com.

Dear Preppy Girl,
So I was at the mall yesterday and I saw a sign saying all ballet flats were 40% off. Naturally, I could not resist. However, the flats I bought did not get the sale price. What’s the difference between flats and ballet flats?

- Confused in Connecticut

Dear CC,
I am sorry to hear about your shopping faux pas. Just the other day, my friend Cheryl, the fashion expert, was telling me the difference between flats and ballet flats. Here are a few things to looks for:

Ballet Flats

• Ballet flats are a classically styled shoe, dating back to the 16th century and are always rounded in the toe.
• Ballet flats can come in a variety of colors but they are typically made from a soft material, like silk or suede.
• Ballet flats do not have a heel.

Flats

• Unlike ballet flats, regular flats can have small heels, think 1/4 of an inch.
• The toe can come in a variety of shapes, it may be pointy, square, open, or even peep toe.

Happy Shopping!

P.G.

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