Preppy Styles for Teenagers

When you think about teens, you probably think about sloppy clothes, untucked shirts and sneakers. But some teens prefer a more straight-laced look as followers of the preppy style movement. Preppy, WASP-like style is not anything new on Ivy League university campuses, but the style is now making its way to high school halls, as well. If your teen expresses an interest in a more polished look, educate yourself on what passes for prep when teens are involved.

  1. Styles

    • When it comes to preppy fashion, the esthetic is neat, pressed and polished. Shirts are usually collared in an Oxford or polo style, while pants and shorts are often pressed to a perfect crease. Girls can choose from pleated skirts, cuffed shorts and pressed pants, while boys might adopt a crew style with midi-length shorts and collared shirts layered under sweaters. The fashion term "preppy" is derived from preparatory schools, which usually require students to wear neat uniforms that often include knee-length shorts and skirts, polos, pressed shirts and blazers.

    Colors

    • Colors and patterns for preppy style are usually muted. If your teen does not want to overhaul her entire wardrobe, looking for preppy patterns might be a better way to add style into her existing clothes. Prim and symmetrical patterns are the most common, like stripes, plaid and dots. As for color, preppies usually prefer pastels, so grabbing a pale pink polo or a light yellow skirt can add prep style into your teen's closet.

    Footwear

    • One thing is for sure for preppy shoes -- socks need not apply. Most preppy shoe styles, like loafers, boat shoes, flip-flops and canvas shoes are worn sockless or with no-show socks. Sometimes girls wear knee-high socks for a faux-uniform look and stick to loafers and Mary Jane-style shoes. Modern prep styles incorporate more color into footwear, so it is not uncommon to see traditional preppy footwear in decidedly untraditional footwear, like cobalt blue or even lime green, which may appeal to teens.

    Hair and Makeup

    • Preppy style does not stop at the clothes. If your teen really wants to look like an Ivy League student, she should remember this: Less is more. Preppy fashion dictates a clean, fresh-faced look, so using less makeup makes a better impression. Hair is usually thick, well cared for and often held by a headband, ponytail holder, barrettes or otherwise combed neatly into place. Wild hairstyles, heavy makeup and crazy colors are not part of the preppy repertoire.

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