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

Dear Preppy Girl,

I’ve recently become obsessed with everything preppy. I spend hours on the Internet reading preppy blogs and looking at preppy outfits! Unfortunately, my closet doesn’t match my mindset. I’m a 15 year old girl and I’ll be a sophomore in the fall, and I want a fabulous preppy wardrobe for the new school year without breaking the bank. What are some essential and versatile pieces (clothing, accessories, and shoes!) that I should purchase over the summer?

Also, are there any great stores that have preppy items for less? I personally love J.Crew and Ralph Lauren, but there’s only so much that I can afford!

Thanks!
Preppy Fashionista

Dear Preppy Fashionista,
Thanks so much for your lovely email, its great to hear from you. Now is a great time to start thinking about fall fashion. Red, green, and brown are supposed to be the hot colors this fall. As for essential fall attire, here is a list of my favorite timeless prep pieces.

• Ballet flats – I am a big fan of these comfy and stylish shoes. I recommend at least two pairs – one in black and one in a funky color like lime green, gold, or a leopard print.
• Boots – Perfect with skirts and leggings
• Shrunken Cardigan Sweater – Looks great with both jeans, corduroys, and skirts
• Long Cabled Cardigan Sweater – Look for neutral colors like off white, beige, and black. They go with everything
• Button Down Shirts – Great for layering. Roll up the sleeves for the preppy look
• Corduroys – Brown is a very versatile color
• Jeans – Look for a dark rinse
• Corduroy Mini Skirt – Preppy transitional piece that will take you from Fall to Winter
• Scarfs – Add a pop of color to your outfit, they are must-have fall accessory
• Tote bags – a stylish way to store all of your school books.
• Bangle Bracelets
• Headbands

And as for preppy looks for less, I recommend doing a bit of bargain hunting. Try hitting up Marshalls and T.J. Maxx, both stores are known for stocking brand name clothes at more affordable prices. You might have to hunt around, but that is part of the fun. Nordstrom Rack also has some great preppy fashions. The Goodwill and secondhand stores are another preppy goldmine. You never know what type of cute handbags and accessories you will find.

For more back to school fashion ideas check out: Fall Fashion, Back to School Fashion, and the dreaded School Uniforms.

Let me know if you have any more questions! Good luck with school!
-P.G.

 

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

Dear Preppy Girl,

For the past six months I have been under the impression that I can wear casual attire to my summer fashion internship (jeans, cute tanks and tops, ect.) at Nordstrom. But I just found out that I need to dress professionally. This internship is going to make or break my future with the company, and I need to look amazing everyday with fashionable outfits head to toe! The internship starts in less than a week and I don’t know how to put these outfits together or where to buy some staples for a new wardrobe. I want to keep my preppy style, but still look professional. Can you help?

xoxo,
Identity Crisis

Dear Identity Crisis,

First off, congrats on the awesome internship, that sounds like it will be a blast! My first job was for a stuffy, ultra-conservative engineering firm, bleh! I had no office-appropriate clothing, I promptly headed over to Banana Republic and bought everything off the sale rack. During your first week of work, make careful note of what all of the female employees are wearing–especially on their feet and then try to emulate their style with your own preppy twist. Fitting in with the company culture is key.

I suggest dressing in layers, office building are notorious for being freezing cold in the summer. Buy at least a great pair of black trousers, a pair of tan trousers, knee length pencil skirts in tan and black, and a few lightweight button down shirts–these are great since you can roll the cuffs up to create several varieties of sleeve lengths. If you can afford it, invest in a couple of cute blazers. They are great for dressing up your wardrobe. You could wear a pair of pants with a sleeveless shirt and a blazer, and then leave your blazer in your car when you go out with your friends. I often take two purses to work too, a Kate Spade tote to store all of my stuff and a cute little clutch in case I go out afterwards.

My own personal rule for looking professional is “arms or legs.” If I wear a skirt to work, I always wear short sleeves at the minimum and make sure I have a cardi or blazer with me. If I wear a sleeveless shirt, I wear pants to work. Of course you can always wear a sleeveless shirt with a skirt, just make sure you have a blazer or sweater at your desk in case you have to go to a meeting. And be careful of necklines, you don’t want to wear anything too low or revealing into work.

Plan a couple outfits out for the week, so you can do your laundry and ironing in advance, there is nothing worst than going to work in a badly wrinkled outfit. Check out J. Crew for inspiration. Shopping at Nordstrom wouldn’t hurt either ; )

Good Luck! Let me know if you have any more questions!
-P.G.

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

Hi Preppy Girl,

I LOVE your blog! It’s like my bible! Anyways, I have recently gotten into the preppy style, but I don’t have many preppy items of clothing in my wardrobe. I’m going into high school. How can I make preppy outfits for school without buying a ton of clothes?

Love,
Prep at Heart

Dear Prep at Heart,

That is such a great question! Spring and summer are a great time to break out those pretty tropical colors like pink, baby blue, yellow, and lime. For the fall, think classic plaid colors – green, red, orange, and brown.

I suggest stocking up on preppy accessories like grosgrain ribbon belts, faux pearls and chain link jewelry, cute clutches, and totes. By adding a preppy belt, handbag, and jewelry to an otherwise plain outfit, you can create a cute preppy look. Try pairing a graphic t with a cardigan, jeans, and ballet flats or even a pleated or khaki skirt for a preppy twist. For a more traditional look, pair a polo shirt with capris, ballet flats, and a preppy belt or handbag. Leave your hair simple, maybe try a loose bun, headband, or a ponytail. The ever-preppy sailor stripes are also really big this spring.

The key to looking preppy is making your style look effortless, casual, and easy. Here are some more tips for preppy style. Let me know if you have any more questions!

Happy Shopping!
- P.G.

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

Dear Preppy Girl,

I have the preppy attitude down pat. Confidence without seeming stuck up, kind, sweet, funny, upbeat, energetic, all the things that make us preppy girls so lovable. But! I have a problem! I can’t afford cute preppy clothes and accessories. I think I know more about Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs & Poppy then the people who actually wear it. I love fashion! But I can’t afford it. Help, what should I do?

Thanks so much!
- Preppy Pauper

Dear Preppy Pauper,

I am so sorry to hear about your financial woes. I have been in your boat many times. Thank goodness preppy clothes never go out of style! I recommend a trip to you mother or grandmother’s attic. I am sure you can find many treasures: cute cardigans, retro cocktail dresses, preppy blazers, maybe there is even a Channel bag stashed away. The Goodwill and secondhand stores are another goldmine. You never know what type of cute handbags and accessories you will find. If the second hand stores in your town are less than desirable, its time to take a road trip and check out stores in another town. When you are shopping at the mall, I recommend scrimping on your basics. Target, Old Navy, and Kohl’s have tons of great deals. Take advantage of their low prices so you can save your money for a few special items.

And when you get shopping-induced sadness, just remember this mantra of preppy fashion: “Hand-me-down clothing is always cooler than store-bought originals.”

Happy Shopping!
- P.G.

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Just in time for Spring, I came across these cute totes by June15 for your inner-animal lover. You can never have enough totes on hand, especially with more and more metro areas banning the dreaded plastic bag.

They even make reuseable burlap wine totes featuring a matching wine bottle coaster and gift tag. Cheers!

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