Geek Chic! The Classic That Became a Trend...

J. Crew's Fine-knit merino wool cardigan

J. Crew's Cafe cropped wool-tweed straight-leg pants 

The Official Preppy Handbook

For many of us, becoming a preppy became a rite of passage with our handbooks, bermuda bags and madras shorts.  If you were not born into preppy royalty like myself, you had to invest carefully in reliable sources.  In the 80s, catalog business was booming for such retailers includng L.L. Bean, Talbots and Land's End.  They represented the epitome of a prepster's "way of life" through both fashion staples and gear. It wasn't until 1989 that J. Crew opened its first retail store in downtown Manhattan and throughout the early 90s continued their focus on retail expansion.  Today, J. Crew distributes some 80 million copies. Preppy classic in my mind has never really gone away with cult staples such as the peacoat, button-down shirts and khakis.  J. Crew came on to the scene and really offered quality garments true to classic design appealing to a more preppy audience but really targeting a more youthful, creative audience.  Strong trends usually resurface and in the case of the retailers noted above, they've stayed true to that core classic, preppy segment.

Selima Sun for J. Crew Sophia

In net-a-porter's weekly magazine issue this week, notes "instant update...GEEK CHIC" with reference to Mad Men (love the wardrobes!) and model photograph with head-to-toe J. Crew illustrating that "J. Crew works the trend from head to toe.  The "Kit" includes staple pieces such as the cardigan and cool framed glasses reminiscent of Muffy or Biff's from the late 80's.

A.  J. Crew Gondola striped woven silk skirt

One preppy trend that I wouldn't be caught dead in during my teenage years was the mixing of prints usually pulled together with a solid cashmere or cotton sweater.  This one has come back with a vengeance with mix/match prints including different textures and fabrics.

J. Crew's Italian Cashmere Sweaters

Bright colors cross-over from the 80s to the 90s with preppy appeal 

This one still takes a careful eye both in print mixing and color blocking. J. Crew does this pretty unabashedly and in some cases I still don't think I would be caught dead! See my clear preference for ex. A. with subtle mixing verses B.  My co-workers would've thought I'd lost it.  This however, may be pulled off beautifully by someone half my age!

B. J. Crew Apple-print pleated cotton skirt

Soludos for J. Crew

Tretorn Canvas T56

J. Crew's CeCe Colorblock ballet flats

The one preppy trend that I loved 30 years ago and still today would be ballet flats, sneakers and espadrilles.  J. Crew continues to offer these as staple shoe wear and the colors and prints were beautifully imagined.  They are also made well enough to carry through a couple seasons and I know they will never go out of style.  I love that J. Crew is carrying Tretorn and Soludos.  Tretorns are one of the few sneakers I would ever wear with jeans and/or a skirt.  And J. Crew's ballet flats are hands-down one of the most comfortable flats I've ever worn.  The challenge is deciding on just one or five colors!  Visit the Ballet Boutique for a full range of color options.  And if you are curious about how flats such as the CeCe are born and how they get such vibrant color treatment, visit "All About Cece", very informative.


So, mix some colors, add a print - be brave with your outfits, I dare you!  You can't mess it up given the mix is part of the equation.  And, it any of your stodgy colleagues give you grief on not matching your clothes, tell them to get with the trends!  Well, I cannot promise that will go so well, but these trends make it nearly impossible to flub up!  What were some of your favorite preppy items either today or growing up.

Happy M&M!

Cheers.