Lauren Moffatt

In The Preppy Handbook, the popular tome which defined Eighties style, author Lisa Birnbach extols the virtues of wearing pink and green, the importance of the right outerwear and the significance of monogramming.

This spring season, it looks as if women may be once again turning to these same pages for a clue to style trends. “Spring is a preppy season in general,” shares Lauren Moffatt, who along with her business partner Rob Pepin, owns and designs the Lauren Moffatt collection. “I think of tennis skirts, cotton sweaters, wrap skirts, little cotton tee shirts and flip flops.”

“While preppy may be considered a trend now, it’s really more of a classic style,” notes Darlene Brinker, director of marketing for Lilly Pulitzer, a brand intimately intertwined with the term ‘preppy chic.’ “Women are continually attracted to it for its ease of wear.”

Confirms Sean Krebs, spokesperson for Gap, “Preppy chic is a truly American way of dressing. Women love it because it is both classic and comfortable. Preppy chic conjures up images of great American film icons such as Katherine Hepburn or Grace Kelly. Since Gap is such an iconic American brand, the preppy look is definitely a part of our vocabulary.”

The preppy look supercedes trend, agree fashion insiders. “Preppy pieces are really wardrobe staples if you think about it,” considers Kim Kitchings, director of market research and planning for Cotton Incorporated. “Women love it because it’s fashionable yet safe.” She points to data from the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle MonitorTM; only 13% of female consumers considered themselves on the cutting edge of fashion. Twenty-six percent considered themselves quicker than most to adopt new styles, while 33% of women considered themselves slow to change, and 25% admitted to rarely changing.

And as the saying goes, when you find a good thing, why not stick with it? “Preppy represents the good life; it connotes a positive outlook,” shares Pulitzer’s Brinker. “It’s fun and attractive.”

Key pieces that dominate the preppy wardrobe year in and year out include polo shirts, cardigan sweaters, capri pants, cotton tees, shift dresses, pleated skirts and coordinating accessories. “Coordination is key to preppy style,” says Kathryn Novakovic, Cotton Incorporated director of fashion marketing, referring to the bright pink and green palettes and unique patterns, like the infamous whale print, that prepsters seem to own in multiples. “There are little cotton handbags and tennis shoes and socks that work back to apparel and complete the look.” read more...