My alma mater, Wofford College, was a bastion of natural fibers long before The Official Preppy Handbook was published. Fraternity men … More
Tag: Preppy
Gentlemen of Hampden-Sydney
I’ve listed Hampden-Sydney again this year as the most preppy college in the South. It was founded in 1775, when … More
Top 20 Preppy Colleges in the South
In 2011, I published my first list of the top preppy colleges in the South. It was limited to 10 … More
J. Press Grosgrain Ribbon Watch Bands
One of the most practical and usable accessories to have in the wardrobe is a grosgrain ribbon watch band. These three … More
Preppy 80s Flashback
Portrait of me with my cousin, Brandon, in 1986. He was not quite a year old when this photograph was … More
Ratty Sweatshirt from the Yale Co-op
I have a very old sweatshirt from the Yale Co-op that I bought as a grad student in New Haven in … More
Join The Preppy Anti-Defamation League
Pete and Trudy Campbell invite you to consider joining or renewing your annual membership with the Preppy Anti–Defamation League. Summer is go–to–hell season, … More
Preppy in the 90s
1999 – A professional headshot of me taken by a photographer in Tribecca when my wife and I were living … More
Preppy in the 80s
I recently opened a box of old photographs and college annuals and blew off the dust. The images here are … More
Thrifted Brooks Brothers Poplin Suit
Since the move to South Carolina last summer, I’ve had a chance to scout thrift stores in my area and … More
Tad Friend – A True Wasp
Tad Friend, in his 2009 memoir Cheerful Money: Me, My Family and the Last Days of Wasp Splendor, reveals in … More
Cotton Rules: Madras is King
Now that we’re past Memorial Day, the color barrage begins. It’s full on madras go-to-hell season, and the colors run … More
Real Hunter or Actor Boy Poseur?
I’ll lay odds this clown couldn’t hit the side of a barn with buckshot at 20 yards, and I’d let … More
Thrifted Nautical Flag Belt – $3.99
My latest thrift purchase was a nautical flag belt – embroidered on leather with a webbed cotton backing and a … More
Thrifted Ralph Lauren Madras Plaid Tie – $6.99
I always check the tie rack of any thrift store because there will inevitably be a gem lurking among the … More
Preppy 10 Commandments – Episcopal Style
Note: You need not be Episcopalian to follow these blessed commandments, for we are both traditional and prepumenical. We welcome … More
WASP Lessons – From People Like Us
PBS aired a fascinating documentary a few years ago: People Like Us – Social Class in America, taking on one … More
Thrifted Ribbon Belt, Polo Shirt and Khaki Shorts
For a total of $17.97, I recently thrifted a navy/cyan grosgrain ribbon belt ($4.99), an all cotton J. Crew polo … More
Know Your Prep Accents: Boston Brahmin
In the last few days, I’ve been focused on New England, posting about Nantucket Reds and their connection with sailing. … More
Brooks Brothers Madras Shirt Bought on eBay
I’ve been gearing up for summer lately. Some recent buys include a pair of patchwork madras shorts, a ribbon belt … More
History of Nantucket Reds
Brooks Brothers – Consignment Shop Find
At Columbia U. Consignments last fall, I found a Brooks Brothers bow tie with a maroon background and navy and … More
Southerners: Preppiest People on the Planet
I came across these photos on Fried Pink Tomato under a post titled “The Southern Preppy Bro.” This is conclusive … More
Trinity’s Preppy Culture Defined
Trinity’s Preppy Culture Defined By: Matthew Longcore ’94 Alumnus (This article originally appeared in the December 7, 2010 issue of The … More
Go To Hell Preppy – It’s Not An Insult
The over the top style known as “go-to-hell” in the preppy world is characterized by a blend of sensible and … More
Patchwork Plaid Madras “Go To Hell” Shorts
Warmer weather is coming. Soon we’ll be into spring and then on to Memorial Day, which is the gateway to … More
Washed Up Preppy in Trading Places (1983)
This is the preppy Zeta Chi scene from Trading Places. Four men – who could be Brooks Brothers models – … More
Layering For Cooler Weather
We’ve been having some cooler fall weather lately in New York City. Today it was overcast and actually a bit … More
Bass Weejuns & Allen Edmonds Desert Boots
At Unique Thrift Store in Riverdale, NY on a sale day, I spotted a pair of classic tan Bass Weejun … More
Harvard University – A Trade School for Preppies?
Description: “Not sure what you want to do once you graduate from your exclusive prep school? Let our informational video … More
Vintage Brooks Brothers Argyle Sweater
This afternoon at Housing Works on W. 17th Street in Manhattan, I found a vintage Brooks Brothers crew neck Argyle … More
Put This On Episode 5: Tradition (J. Press and Thom Browne)
Put This On host Jesse Thorn visits the legendary traditional clothing store J. Press to talk about classic American style … More
A Few Selections From Columbia U Consignments
Andrew McCarthy and Rob Lowe in Class (1983)
In the decade following publication of The Official Preppy Handbook, Hollywood produced a string of movies with a preppy theme. … More
McGregor Duffle Coat at Unique Thrift Store
A duffle coat is one of the preppiest items you can own, and it’s been the “in thing” to have … More
New Preppy: Mainstream American and International
With designers like Tommy Hilfiger updating the preppy look for a younger mass market, as in Feast Interruptus with its … More
Top 10 Preppy Colleges in the South
As a Southern expatriate living in New York City, I was recently asked for my opinions about some colleges below … More
Lacoste – Croc Hunting Consignment Shop Style
My latest consignment shop find is Quirky Consignments & Collectables in Tarrytown, NY. They have a great selection of preppy … More
Über Preppy Band – Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend’s 2008 song M79 references bleeding madras: “No excuse to be so callous/Dress yourself in bleeding madras/Charm your way across … More
Multi-Prep Finds Today
At my favorite thrift store again tonight (Unique in Riverdale, NY), I found several items that I thought worth showing. … More
Preppy: Cultivating Ivy Style
A new book exploring the origins of what has become known as the preppy/ivy style is due out from Rizzoli … More
“Alden, The Pompous Preppy” on Letterman
Needless to say, Alden’s attitude and behavior in this sketch are NOT preppy. He’s a spoiled brat, who lords his … More
Nearly All Thrift Store Combination
Thrifting starts to get interesting once you’ve assembled the backbone of your wardrobe. Then you can begin trying different combinations … More
How Preppies Parse Language
From the film Metropolitan (1990) directed by Whit Stillman: Interestingly, Averell Harriman did not make the prep pantheon in The … More
Nautical Flag Belt and Ribbon Belt
I found a really great nautical flag belt for just $4.99 at Unique Thift Store in Riverdale, NY. The belt … More
Thrift Store Preppy 