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.

Tweet none

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.

Tweet none

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.

Tweet none

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

Dear Preppy Girl,

I have always been considered a prep and decided to embrace my preppy title. I love sparkle, always have, always will. Is it still within the preppy guidelines to wear something like a pair of sparkly gold ballet flats with my otherwise extremely preppy outfit? Do you consider Vera Bradley a preppy brand for school bags? I am also wondering if you consider cheerleading a preppy activity, because I recently joined the squad at my high school!

Love,
Sparkle and Cheer

 

Dear Sparkle and Cheer,

I hate to admit it, but I love sparkles too. I practically live in sparkly silver flip-flops all summer. Gold ballet flats sound divine, especially for the holidays. Just be sure to play down your accessories. Don’t wear any over the top jewelry or a super shiny handbag along with it. I would pair sparkly flats with a fabulous leather clutch in a bright magenta, aqua, or lime hue, something to draw your attention upward. Vera Bradley, on the other hand, I would save for a non-sparkle day. Vera Bradley makes great totes for school, I especially love the East-West Tote.

By the way, congratulations on joining your high school cheerleading squad! School spirit, whether on the field or off, is always preppy and a great way to make new friends.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!
-P.G.

Tweet none

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

Dear Preppy Girl,

I’m from the UK and school ends in a week for the summer! I’m going to London for 3 weeks for a summer school, and I only have 2 weeks to get ready. I want a preppy wardrobe. Obviously this doesn’t give me much time, what clothes do you think would be most essential for the summer school?

I’m also looking for a pleated skirt at a reasonable price, but can’t actually find one! Bearing in mind that I’m in the UK do you have any suggestions?

Thank you so much for your lovely blog!
- Summer Shopping

Dear Summer Shopping,
Thank you for reading my blog. I am honored to have readers in the UK. It sounds like you have a great summer ahead of you!

I would try to find clothes that transition well from school to social gatherings such as skirts and summer dresses. Dresses are so easy and by adding a light-weight cardigan you can take a fun, sleeveless dress to school appropriate. A khaki skirt is one of my favorite summer staples, they are so versatile. By adding jewelry and a stylish top you can take a khaki skirt in so many directions. Brightly-colored capri pants are another great item for summer. I like to dress up capris with cute little kitten heels and a short sleeve top. Polos are another classic look for summer. Look for shirts in vibrant hues like orange and kiwi, they will look great with the ever-powerful khaki skirt or capris and transition well to Fall.

I really can’t speak to all of the fabulous UK brands, but I do love the summer clothes at the Topshop, such as their yellow, pleated skirt and their fun, color block skirts.

Thanks again for your email. Good luck with school!
-P.G.

Tweet none