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

Hi Preppy Girl,
I am a young prep that is, of course, fashion obsessed. I love to take risks to show my taste and love for fashion but there is one thing I’m stuck on. In many preppy ads there are women wearing ties. It looks fabulous in the pictures but I am unsure of how this could be done in real life (especially without looking too masculine). Also, is it even appropriate for women to wear ties?

Thanks!
Thinking about Ties

Dear Thinking about Ties,
That is a great question, I have also noticed a trend in fashion for women wearing ties. It looks fabulous in photos, but in real life, I think you run the risk of looking like one of the girls from The Facts of Life. I have never seen a girl on the street who actually looks good in a tie, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Try transforming the tie to belt; however, knot it closer to your hip in an undone bow. Try wearing the tie loose around your neck like a scarf or draped around the lapels of a preppy blazer. I think its appropriate for women to wear ties, but only if they can “pull it off” with confidence.

Good Luck!
-P.G.

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

Hi Preppy Girl,
I would like to ask your opinion on what to wear for college interviews. I have several interviews upcoming with traditionally preppy colleges and some interviewers are asking to meet at local coffee shops since they offer “casual” settings. Some of my friends are planning on wearing jeans and T-shirts at these affairs, but as a prep I would prefer something more classy and formal. At the same time, I realize arriving at the local Starbucks in a Brooks Brothers suit when the interviewers are going for casual might not be ideal. Still, I want to show the people taking the time to consider me for their Alma Mater that I take them and their school seriously by looking presentable. At the same time, I don’t want them to think I am pretentious by over dressing. Do you have any ideas about what would be appropriate?

Thanks!
Concerned about College

Dear Concerned about College,
That is a great question! I agree, do not wear jeans to a college interview even if the interview is at the local coffee shop. One of my favorite looks for winter is J. Crew’s corduroy trousers. Wear them with pumps and a cardigan sweater or wear a pair of nice trousers and pair them with a colorful blazer and a nice shirt. I would stay away from suits, you want to look like a good fit for the college, not a potential employee. I would also stay away from skirts or dresses in the winter. Be sure to wear modest jewelry and accessories, nothing too crazy. You want to look polished in a casual way, not like you spent three days planning your outfit.

Good luck with the interviews!
-P.G.

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

Hi there, Preppy Girl,
I just wanted to know how do I get into the preppy scene? Where I live there isn’t many preppy people (Wisconsin) and I really would like to have some preppy friends. Where do most preppy people live?

Thanks!
Looking for Preps

Dear Looking for Preps,
Thanks for your questions. Many preppy people live on the east coast in various locals such as Boston, Nantucket, Palm Beach, and South Carolina; but you can find preps almost anywhere. I am sorry to hear about the preppy shortage in your town. I suggest joining some new activities. If you like sports, join a rec council or school field hockey or lacrosse team. Team sports are a fun way to relax and meet a bunch of people. Try joining some social clubs or sign up for a class that interests you such as photography, pottery, yoga, sailing, or tennis. By trying different activities, you are sure to meet new people that share your preppy interests. If that doesn’t work, start your own prep club and convert your friends. ; )

Best!
-P.G.

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

Hi Preppy Girl!
I have a lot of questions about preppy fashion and the lifestyle. I am a super happy high schooler and want to have a great preppy style. What clothes should I wear? What are essentials that I need?

Thanks!
Happy Prep

Dear Happy Prep,
I hope you are enjoying high school! Now is the time to stock up on great preppy styles, there are so many holiday sales. A few essentials for cold weather are:

• Leggings
• Long cardigan sweaters
• A variety of scarves in different colors and textures to dress up your outfits
• Corduroy jeans
• White shirts – you can never have enough!
• Belts – a great accessory for sweaters and oversized shirts, knot–don’t buckle–at the high waist
• A great pair of brown boots
• Ballet flats in different colors
• A puffy vest in a bright color
• Mittens

Here are some more tips on preppy dressing: preppy style 101 and summer staples.

Happy Thanksgiving!
-P.G.

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

Hi Preppy Girl!

Just wanted to say, I love your blog! I’m almost 16, which of course means the start of car shopping! Unfortunately, my parents aren’t considering a BMW or Mercedes for me, since I’m so young and I’m helping to pay for my car. Are there any brands I should definitely stay away from? I was thinking of a cute, white Honda CRV. I know it may not be the pinnacle of prep, but I think I can def rock it. I’d love to hear what you have to say!

Thanks so much,
Florida Prepster

Dear Florida Prepster,

Car shopping is so much fun, I’m  jealous! My first car was an old blue chevy cavalier hatchback via my grandmother. The car didn’t even have a tape player (ouch!). However; I was just happy to have a pair of wheels to call my own. The car wasn’t preppy, or even pretty, but it was mine.

Make sure that the car you buy is in your price range. Car expenses can add up once you factor in gas, repairs, and car insurance. A white Honda CRV sounds like a great car to cruise around Florida. White is such a versatile color, you can add lots of preppy accessories like seat covers and preppy monogram stickers.

While any car is a great car, here are a few of the less-preppy brands:

• Kia
• Pontiac
• Geo
• and Scion

Looking for more info? Check out these preppy car tips.

Enjoy your new car!

-P.G.

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

Dear Preppy Girl,

I am attending a fall wedding in Connecticut and would like to wear my great LBD from J. Crew. My question is, would it be un-prep to wear black to a wedding? It’s a short black dress and I was thinking of adding a wrap or bolero in a jewel tone to keep warm and add a pop of color. Since I’m already spending money to travel to the wedding, I don’t want to add a new dress to my expenses.

Thanks for your help!
Preppy Wedding Goer

Dear Preppy Wedding Goer,

Thanks for your email! I recently attended an evening wedding for a dear friend of mine, wearing a little black dress and strappy silver shoes. I think wearing black to a wedding is perfectly fine, especially if many of the wedding guests are from New York. Last summer, I attended a wedding in New York and I was the only girl NOT wearing a LBD. Adding a wrap or a bolero is a great idea. Try pairing it with pretty heels that are a contrasting color, such as green pumps with a magenta or blue wrap. Remember to pack some statement jewelry and a cute clutch.

Have a great time!

-P.G.

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

Dear Preppy Girl,

I have been following you blog for a while now. I am always sure to incorporate the ideas you give me into my “school life.” I gave up bookbags and replaced them with Lilly Pulitzer and Vineyard Vines totes. I stopped using dark black and purple nail polishes. I am about to become a Senior and I want to dress to impress. I wanted to see if you could help me out a bit on other ideas to appear more put together. Thank you in advance for everything.

Kisses and hugs,
Stylish Senior

Dear Stylish Senior,

Senior year, Congratulations! You will have so much fun. It sounds like you are off to a great start with your preppy totes and pretty nails. Looking put together just requires a little bit of time management. I would plan your look the night before. Try waking up a few minutes early to allow for extra time to do your hair and makeup. And be sure to accessorize! Hairbands, loose buns, and ponytails are so preppy and take no time at all. If you are allowed to wear jewelry to school, look for chunky linked bracelets and preppy earrings.

Since uniforms really put a cramp in your style, concentrate on looking good after school. Stash a pair of cute non-uniform shoes in your locker to wear after class. Bring a stylish cardi or schoolboy blazer to layer on top of your uniform shirt and don’t forget the sunglasses!

For more uniform tips check out Back to School.

Have a great school year!
-P.G.

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

Dear Preppy Girl,

I am about to start my freshman year at college and I love anything pink and preppy. I’ve searched all over the web to find some preppy items for my dorm room and I have not come across very much. Do you have any suggestions on places to look? I have the preppy style, I just need dorm room accessories to match! I am going to be studying fashion design, so I am VERY open to any diy ideas

Also, do you have any tips on how to keep my preppy style while in college? I’m not sure if i want to transfer from khakis and cardigans to sweatpants and hoodies!

XOXO,
Preppy Freshman

Dear Preppy Freshman,

Congratulations on entering college, you will have so much fun!

Target has some fun (and extremely affordable) pink accessories, you can even search by color on their web site. For more knick knacky accessories, check out your local home furnishing stores like Home Goods or Pottery Barn or web sites like The Preppy Princess. Invest in some storage baskets, you can always spray paint them pink and line them with preppy fabric.

If you are good at sewing, try making your own preppy curtains and bedside tablecloths. Bed, Bath and Beyond also has a great selection of pillows. I recommend at least a dozen ; )

As for keeping your preppy style, I get organized! Plan out your outfits the night before, so you won’t have the last minute clothing dash before class. Try to stay on top of your laundry, that way you will have lots of great clothing choices. While shopping for your college wardrobe, look for versatile clothes that will look good with a variety of styles. Also, look for clothes that layer well, in case you are going from a chilly outside to a stuffy library or dorm room.

Good luck with school!
-P.G.