On a recent trip to Greenville, SC to visit family, I had a chance to scout some of the local thrift stores there. The best one by far was The Nearly New Shop run by The Junior League. Lots khakis and button downs (pinpoint and oxford cloth), silk ties by well known makers, great suits and sport coats and lots of items from Rush Wilson, Ltd., a traditional clothier in town, where I started shopping as a teenager. The find of the day was a pair of Ralph Lauren 100% cotton khakis with a plain front – never buy pleated – and embroidered with tennis racquets. They were a perfect fit in the waist and inseam and needed no tailoring. The bottom of the khakis just touches the top of my penny loafers. I wear my pants with little or no break. The price: $8.00!! (Retail price at Ralph Lauren is about $79.50). My only regret about these pants is that they weren’t cuffed, but they were still a great find.
Thrift Store Preppy 
In The Official Preppy Handbook of 1980, Lisa Birnbach and her contributors noted the importance of no pleats-flat front only, as well as cuffs (1 and 1/4 inch for gentleman’s trousers). I notice in True Prep that there is no mention of cuffs as the quintessential part of the trouser. I notice that there are no cuffs on these beautiful, and preppy trousers. (I am envious of you for finding them!)
Are cuffs no longer essentially Preppy?
I am not sure. What do people think?
Best,
Z. Ames Taylor
Thanks for your comment. Cuffs never go out of style, even though many people have tried to update classic style. A lot of what you’ll find in True Prep tries to update a timeless look.
Cuffs are a matter of preference. I like the weight they give to the bottom of pants, and I think they look sharp and a little more dressy. Some of my cuffs are 1 and 1/4 inchs, but the really traditional measurement for them is 1 and 3/4 inches, which I also wear. I think it’s fine to wear pants without cuffs, too. I have a mixture of both.
I love it when people get together and share opinions.
Great site, keep it up!
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Thank you so much. I have not posted a lot recently, but I am resuming blogging again – after moving from NYC to South Carolina. It’s taken a while to find the good thrift stores in this area, but they are here.
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Thank you. I have not posted a lot lately because of a move and new job. But I am back at it and hope you will visit the site again soon.