Trending: The New Prep

Preppy has long been associated with privilege and good behaviour. It is one of this season’s biggest catwalk trends, although the style never really went away. Short for preparatory, it grew from the wardrobes of American prep schools and Ivy League campuses. Somehow, this iconic style never seems to look outdated. The wardrobe is still instantly recognisable: a rugby shirt, corduroy trousers, loafers, a striped tie and plaid. Ralph Lauren has built a financially healthy fashion and lifestyle empire around these codes, while Tommy Hilfiger took them into 1990s pop culture with Aaliyah.

Prep and varsity are often mixed together, but they have different origins. Varsity comes from American college sport: team colours, letters, baseball caps and jackets. Japan recognised the appeal of Ivy style early. In 1965, four Japanese style enthusiasts documented how students at America’s eight Ivy League universities actually dressed. Photographer Teruyoshi Hayashida captured them on campus for Take Ivy, a book that became an important reference for Ivy style in Japan. I have a copy at home, too.

For FD Persoonlijk, I mixed both sides: Ralph Lauren corduroy and plaid with a varsity jacket, cap, rugby shirt, tie and hiking boots. Preppy, yes. Well behaved? You’ll never know.

Fashion edit and composition by Im Fong Liu for FD Persoonlijk
Images courtesy of the brands