Short for ‘preparatory,’ the term ‘Preppy’ describes a subculture that originated in the early 1900s in northeastern American preparatory schools for boys, encapsulating values, activities, mannerisms, and ways of dressing.
Preppy people, ‘Preppies’ or ‘Preps’ refers to a subgroup of the American upper and upper-middle class associated with the Northeastern part of the United States.
Found across various age groups, Preppies are from affluent backgrounds related to, or descendants of, old-money families with a long history of attending prestigious preparatory schools and Ivy League universities.
Geographically, early Preppies are connected with affluent Northeastern suburbs, New England coastal towns, parts of the Upper Midwest, and the wealthiest spots of the American South.
Know the Origin of Preppy
Preppy subculture originated in the early 1900s in northeastern American preparatory schools and universities attended by upper-class students.
Early American education institutions followed the model of British preparatory schools and universities regarding education, uniforms, and activities, hence the subculture’s roots in British traditions.
The influence of British culture goes beyond activities, traditions, values, mannerisms, and lifestyle, impacting the school attire and pupils’ ways of dressing.
However, the Preppy subculture as we understand it nowadays was shaped by the social and cultural practices of America’s upper class in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Hence, the ‘origin of Preppy’ discussions revolve around American educational institutions and the three main educational areas credited with the creation and evolution of the Preppy fashion and lifestyle.
1. New England
The Home of Ivy League Preppy
New England is a northeastern region of the United States comprising the states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island and home to Ivy League universities.
The first usage of ‘Ivy’ regarding a group of colleges is found in New York Herald Tribune’s October 14, 1933 edition, where sportswriter Stanley Woodward describes the football season:
“A proportion of our eastern ivy colleges are meeting little fellows another Saturday before plunging into the strife and the turmoil.”
By the end of the 1800s, planting Ivy at the New England colleges’ buildings became a practice named “Ivy Day.”
2. Upper-Midwest
The Home of Northern Preppy
The Upper Midwest is a region in the northern portion of the United States comprising the states of Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The Upper Midwest regions, particularly Michigan and Wisconsin, with great lakes and cold winters, played an equally important role in developing the Preppy subculture and lifestyle.
3. American South
The Home of Southern Preppy
In the context of Preppy, the American South refers to the Southeastern United States, particularly North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia.
The American South’s warm and humid climate and cultural traditions based on community, manners, formality, and refinement gave birth to the Southern Preppy look and lifestyle.
Each region contributed to developing the Preppy culture and style by reflecting local customs, lifestyle, and climate.
Preppy Colleges and Schools
The Preppy subculture is associated with elite preparatory schools’ of the mid-20th century, their uniforms, and activities.
The uniforms had a British-inspired ‘country clothing’ style mixed with sports apparel for golf, yachting, rowing, tennis, rugby, and horseback riding.
In the Northeast, they are called the ‘Ivy League group’ and are comprised of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, Pennsylvania, Brown University, and Dartmouth College.
In the Upper Midwest, the University of Michigan – considered one of the few public Ivies – played an essential role in developing the Preppy subculture.
From the American South, the University of Virginia’s architectural style and reputation as a bastion of Southern tradition was critical in propagating the Preppy subculture and lifestyle.
Other Preppy schools and colleges that participated in the creation and popularity of the Preppy subculture are:
- The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville, New Jersey)
- St. Paul’s School (Concord, New Hampshire)
- Groton School (Groton, Massachusetts)
- Phillips Academy Andover (Andover, Massachusetts)
- Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter, New Hampshire)
- Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford, Connecticut)
- Hotchkiss School (Lakeville, Connecticut)
- Deerfield Academy (Deerfield, Massachusetts)
Many of these institutions are still active and known for continuing to foster Preppy values and lifestyles.
Adopt a Preppy Lifestyle
Preppies’ values and lifestyles are deeply connected to their activities rooted in the subculture’s historical and socioeconomic background.
Some of the subcultures’ core activities revolve around higher education, sports, fashion and arts, philanthropy, and etiquette.
1. High Education
Preppies value education highly, particularly in prestigious preparatory schools and Ivy League colleges.
Attending esteemed preparatory schools, colleges, and universities, participating in academic clubs, and preparing for successful careers in law, business, or medicine are all central to the preppy lifestyle.
2. Sports and Recreation
Any preparatory school curriculum includes sports of British origins, such as polo, tennis, rugby, and rowing.
Over time, these sports have become critical activities at the core of an active and healthy Preppy lifestyle.
According to the ‘Preppies value book,’ these sports require sportsmanship, camaraderie, competitiveness, and being a team player.
3. Manners
Influenced by traditional upper-class etiquette and high education, Preppies are known for their courteous mannerisms.
Language is also important, as in the U.S., Preppies’ speech is characterized by a specific accent known colloquially as the ‘Locust Valley Lockjaw’ or the ‘preppy lisp.’
To preppies, good manners and proper etiquette signify a classic upbringing, tradition, heritage, and stylistic sophistication.
4. Family, Tradition and Conservatism
To Preppies, tradition means connections to their roots, historical heritage, and upper class, reinforcing their sense of identity and continuity.
As such, most Preppies lean towards conservatism regarding behavior, political views, and fashion.
5. Social Gatherings
Preppies engage in social events within their social circle, such as parties, dinners, and charity galas.
These events aim to maintain a sense of decorum and decency in keeping with their respect for old traditions and good manners.
Community service and philanthropy are part of Preppies’ commitment to social responsibility.
Some of the most popular activities are volunteering at local organizations, participating in charity events, or donating.
With a deep sense of belonging, shared values, and social responsibility, Preppies give back to their communities through charitable activities and volunteer work.
7. Arts and Culture
Knowledge and appreciation of fine arts are at the core of the Preppy subculture and lifestyle.
As such, Preppies are interested in the arts and have a propensity for classical music, ballet, and theater.
Some popular Preppy activities include attending theater performances, visiting galleries, reading art books and style magazines, and listening to classical music.
Learn from Preppy Books and Movies
There are several influential Preppy movies, books, series, and songs that have contributed to the creation and development of the Preppy subculture.
The Official Preppy Handbook (Book)
Lisa Birnbach’s 1980s book, The Official Preppy Handbook, has a satirical but severe look at the preppy lifestyle and is seen as the manual of what it meant to be Preppy.
The Catcher in the Rye (Novel)
J.D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye, portrays preparatory school culture and has become a literary classic, influencing perceptions of the disillusionment and rebellion that can exist within the Preppy subculture.
Prep (Book)
Curtis Sittenfeld’s best-selling novel, Prep, provides an in-depth and relatable look at a prep school culture, making it accessible to a broader audience.
The book dives deep into the boarding school culture while showcasing the intricacies and unexpected nuances of the modern Preppy subculture.
Dead Poets Society (Movie)
Dead Poets Society takes place in an elite preparatory school for boys and depicts rebellion within the constraints of a traditional Preppy institution.
The movie recreates the Preppy subculture’s origins, influencing how the general public understands it.
The Great Gatsby (Book and Movies)
The Great Gatsby is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, and film adaptations depict the opulence and fashion of the Jazz Age, almost like a manual for those interested in the extravagant side of the Preppy subculture.
The following adaptations of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel comprise lavish depictions of 1920s upper-class style, greatly influencing the preppy aesthetic.
Love Story (Movie)
Love Story is a 1970 film that established the Preppy style as shorthand for elite American good taste by depicting the lives of Ivy League students.
Dress Like a True Preppy
The preppy way of dressing requires representative clothes, shoes, and accessories – according to the Preppy aesthetic.
Also, ideally, the outfits are put together with clothes and accessories from renowned Preppy clothing brands like Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, L.L. Bean, and J. Crew.
Aligning with Preppy vocabulary, etiquette, and mannerisms, Preppy outfits always depict a classic, clean-cut look in daily life or sports.
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.
