What is Ivy League Style?
Ivy League style is a distinct way of dressing with origins in the early 1900s uniforms of elite Northeastern United States preparatory schools and universities.
The early American institutions were built around the British educational system (attire and activities), and the Ivy League style followed the aesthetics of traditional British preparatory schools.
Initially, the Ivy League style was casual, dressing against the time’s traditional styles (Trad styles).
Nowadays, the Ivy League style is seen as a conservative way of dressing, reflecting elegance, refinement, elitism, and an affluent lifestyle.
The Origin of Ivy League Fashion Style
The Ivy League style originated in New England, a northeastern region of the United States and home to Ivy League universities, comprising the states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
Inspired by ‘Ivy Day’ – the ceremony of planting ivy at New England colleges, sportswriter Stanley Woodward coined the term ‘Ivy League’ in 1933 to describe colleges with similar athletic programs.
How to Dress Ivy League?
To successfully pull off the classic Ivy League look, you must understand the core components of the style: clothing, footwear, and accessories.
It is also critical to know which Ivy League clothing brands to shop for and how to combine garments, footwear, and accessories.
Finally, how to match colors and patterns to exude sophistication without appearing formal while retaining the style’s aesthetic origins.
Essential Clothing in Ivy League Style
1. Sack Suit Royal Navy Blazers
Three-button single-breasted blazers in navy color with aesthetic roots in British naval attire.
- Best for: corporate meetings, job interviews, and academic presentations
- Recommended Brand: Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren
2. Oxford Cloth Button Down Shirts (OCBD)
American adaptation of traditional British polo shirts in thick cotton Oxford cloth and button-down collar.
- Best for: office settings, business-casual dinners, and under a blazer at academic events
- Recommended Brand: Gant, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren
3. Polo Shirts
Short-sleeved cotton piqué knit shirts with a collar and two or three buttons, initially designed for tennis players.
- Best for: Fridays at the office, weekend brunch, and summer garden parties.
- Recommended Brand: Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, Lilly Pulitzer
4. Khaki Chinos
Straight-legged, flat-front trousers made from twill fabric, inspired by the uniforms of the British and French military.
- Best for: business-casual office events, weekend errands, and family gatherings
- Recommended Brand: J Crew, Gant
5. Nantucket Reds
Straight-legged casual trousers (or shorts) from canvas and dyed in a specific shade of red, designed to fade over time to a unique salmon color specific to Nantucket’s sailing culture.
- Best for: coastal vacations, yacht outings, and summer barbecues
- Recommended Brand: Murray’s Toggery Shop
6. Plaid Skirts
Knee-length skirts made of Wool, with plaid or tartan patterns with aesthetic origins in the Scottish kilts.
- Best for: school uniforms, church services, and academic ceremonies
- Recommended Brand: Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Vineyard Vines
7. White Pleated Tennis Skirts
Short, white skirts with pleats, initially designed to allow movement and comfort while playing tennis.
- Best for: tennis matches, summer picnics, and beach outings
- Recommended Brand: Lacoste, Tory Burch
8. Cable-knit V-neck or Cardigan Sweaters
Wool or cashmere sweaters weaved in ‘cable’ patterns – a raised, textured surface – available in V-neck and button-up cardigan styles.
- Best for: autumn gatherings, casual Fridays, and holiday dinners
- Recommended Brand: Ralph Lauren, Lacoste
9. Flannel or Madras Sportcoats
Flannel sportcoats made of soft, brushed wool or cotton are ideal for colder weather, while Madras sportcoats are more suitable for warm weather, given their lightweight and colorful construct.
- Best for: semi-formal events, office settings, outdoor social events, garden parties, or daytime weddings
- Recommended Brands: Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren
10. Varsity Jackets
With a body made of wool and leather sleeves, these casual jackets feature front snap-button closures and embroidered team patches or school logos.
- Best for: college sporting events, social gatherings at friends’ homes, or casual walks around campus
- Recommended Brands: J.Crew, Gant, Tommy Hilfiger
1. Penny Loafers
Slip-on leather shoes with a distinctive slot on the front – a reminiscence of the early days when Ivy League students used it as a penny holder.
- Best for: academic settings, semi-formal dinners, and business-casual office environments
- Recommended Brands: G.H. Bass, Sperry
2. Brogues
The Irish and Scotish-inspired low-heeled leather shoes have beautiful decorative perforations and serrations initially designed to let the water drain faster while walking through bogs.
Nowadays, Brogue-style shoes are considered ideal for business-casual and formal settings.
- Best for: business-casual events, formal dinners
- Recommended Brand: Thom Browne, Alden
2. Tennis Sneakers
Low-top leather sneakers with flat soles designed for optimal grip on tennis courts.
- Best for: tennis matches, part of casual Ivy League outfits, country club lawn games, and casual outdoor brunches
- Recommended Brand: Lacoste, Tory Burch
Essential Ivy League Accessories
1. Striped Ties
Classic ties with diagonal stripes in contrasting yet subdued colors with aesthetics rooted in traditional British clubs that used ties as visual group signaling.
- Best for: formal events, jobs in law or finance, to accessorize business attire
- Recommended Brand: Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren
2. Needlepoint Caps
Needlepointing – a New England crafting tradition – is the art of applying by hand intricate designs or motifs featuring collegiate or traditional symbols.
- Best for: outdoor sporting events, barbecues, campus days
- Recommended Brands: Harding-Lane, Gant, Tory Burch
3. Needlepoint Belts
Artisanal quality, hand-stitched belts featuring detailed stitching, intricate designs, and motifs like animals and flags.
- Best for: garden parties, country club gatherings, or casual Fridays at work
- Recommended Brand: Ralph Lauren, Smathers & Branson
4. Knee-high Socks
Rooted in the school uniforms of British preparatory schools, knee-high socks transitioned into Ivy League style as a complement to formal wear and sporting attire.
- Best for: formal events where full traditional attire is required
- Recommended Brand: Brooks Brothers, Lacoste
5. Argyle Pattern Socks
Originating from the tartans of Clan Campbell of Argyll in western Scotland, the argyle pattern became a symbol of sophistication in the 1920s when adopted by English and then American preppy culture.
- Best for: Suited for semi-formal gatherings and day-to-day office wear
- Recommended Brand: J Crew, Gant
4 Ivy League Outfit Ideas
Now that you have a good understanding of the most relevant clothes, footwear, and accessories you need to put together an Ivy League look, here are four excellent outfit ideas to get inspired by.
Outfit Idea 1: Alumni Star
The star garment of this ensemble is the sack suit royal navy blazer; layered over a cable-knit V-neck sweater and an Oxford cloth button-down shirt, the blazer offers textural contrast.
The plaid pleated skirt and the argyle pattern high socks give the outfit a dash of femininity and a pop of pattern.
Finish the outfit with a dark leather pair of high-heeled Oxford shoes to create an air of polished refinement.
Outfit Idea 2: New England Vibes
The central piece of this outfit is the red and black flannel sportcoat in a dual tone, which gives it a pop of color while remaining within the bounds of preppy elegance.
Pair it with an Oxford cloth button-down shirt and khaki chinos for a tailored Ivy League appearance.
Completing the outfit with penny loafers in a matching red with the sportcoat to create a trendy look.
Outfit Idea 3: Campus Chic
In a nod to the quintessential Ivy League style, the cropped silhouette of the mini varsity jacket adds a contemporary twist appealing to fashion trendsetters and influencers.
Pair a white pleated tennis skirt, a cropped polo shirt, and a needlepoint baseball cap to bring a sense of sporty edge to the ensemble, and finish the look with classic white sneakers.
Outfit Idea 4: Yacht Club Queen
With patchworks of blue, red, and white, the Madras sportcoat steals the show in this ensemble, adding a layer of sophistication and traditional Ivy League appeal.
Beneath the sportcoat, the Oxford cloth button-down shirt and the Nantucket red pants provide a timeless foundation, harmonizing the coat’s colorful elements while reinforcing the heritage of Ivy League style.
Complete the look with brown penny loafers and a matching belt to create an outfit ideal for upscale weekend events like yacht club gatherings or seaside sunset dinners.
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After years of managing hundreds of fashion brands from London’s office of a global retailer, Mandy has ventured into freelancing. Connected with several fashion retailers and media platforms in the US, Australia, and the UK, Mandy uses her expertise to consult for emerging fashion brands create top-notch content as an editorial strategist for several online publications.
