All things preppy. And proud of it.

Go Plaid!

My fellow striped, monogrammed, polka-dotted, whale-tailed friends, I think we can agree. Preppy has baggage. And I'm not talking Vera Bradley. Its perception as a style of clothing worn by the wealthy, upper class and snooty prevails. While some of that may be true, I don't think preppy and the aforementioned adjectives are mutually exclusive. 

I won't spend a lot of time here rationalizing preppy, justifying nantucket red, explaining the appeal of plaid and polka dots. But, since this site is dedicated to ALL things preppy I do think I should mention a few thoughts on what preppy is and why I (we) like it.

Preppy is more than just a neatly pressed polo shirt and matching madras flip-flops. It is a lifestyle, an attitude and a way of life.

Don’t get me wrong, I do love the fashion. I would be lying if I said that my closet isn’t full of polo shirts, khaki shorts, A-line cotton dresses, and easily 35 pairs of flip-flops. I have plaid belts, pearl necklaces, and headbands that match. I have boat-neck striped tops and several pairs of white pants. My bed is covered in a nautical striped quilt. My guest bedroom has green stripes on the wall and a madras comforter on the bed. There are blue hydrangeas in my front yard and on my nightstand. I carry a bright green and white toile handbag from Saltbox. My 18-month old son wears a Navy and Red Lobster bathing suit with a blue-visor on the beach, and his nursery is furnished with blue and green madras fabric. Lilly dresses give me heart palpitations, as do Claire-Murray rugs and blue-sport coats and khakis on groomsmen. 

Yup, I’m a little bit cookoo for cocoa puffs when it comes to this (confirmed by my loving husband). But I love it all because it makes me feel fresh, energized, happy, and relaxed. I feel put-together, sporty and stylish at the same time. It is practical enough for a busy mom to run errands around town, and classically elegant enough to wear to an evening wedding on the Cape (with pearls of course). The bright contrasting colors bring to mind images of blue water, white sand, sunsets and rosy cheeks. It is classic, elegant, and versatile. It is clean lines that make me feel refreshed, young, and childishly innocent even.

But there is more to preppy than fabric and buttons. I think it is about enjoying life, celebrating with friends and family, taking risks in life and style, and kicking back on weekends. It is long days on the beach, followed by barbecues, mini-golf and ice cream. It is bright beach towels hung on the line, sandy feet in outdoor showers, and snowcones. It is about living a good life and doing the right thing (at least most of the time - we all have to have a little fun). It is about being healthy and active, at any age. It is about expressing the inner-child in all of us, the bright side, the fun side, the creative side - that sometimes gets lost after a long commute home, or a long, cold winter.

So, that’s it for serious stuff. Just wanted you to know where I am coming from. I love preppy. I don’t feel bad about it. And contrary to the thoughts and hopes of the many mockers it probably isn’t going away.

Don’t mock us. Embrace us.

On Nantucket, a hostel kind of guy finds a Lilly Pulitzer world

http://www.ajc.com/travel/content/travel/otherdestinations/us_stories/2008/07/30/nantucket_island.html

Hope you have fun with this website. It is my mission to point out my favorites and especially to hear from all of the other proud preppy-lovers out there! There is lots to come! Go plaid!