Southern Preppy vs. Northern Preppy (looks, clothes, American, thin)

[Ashton887]

Originally Posted by zta southern belle

The south definitely isn't about Abercrombie and Hollister. True southern brands are Southern Tide, Vineyard Vines, Southern Proper, Ralph Lauren, and Brooks Brothers. They wear a lot of pastels because like everyone said it is exceptionally hot down here. When they are wanting to dress up a little in spring or summer, a seersucker suit is a staple. Any time of year a white button down and bow tie is acceptable, even in casual situations. A polo or patterned button up is also frequently worn. Visors or no hat is what most guys wear if they are preppy. You rarely see jeans, mainly khaki pants/shorts. Sperry's are a must. Granted many northern boys do sail and have a "nautical" style, but it is not reserved only for the north. Plenty of southern boys do especially ones from South Carolina, especially around Charleston. The north's preppy is like the rest of the country's preppy. Pretty much the south just has its own unique version.

How is Vineyard Vines a true southern brand? Have you ever heard of Martha's Vineyard?

[Stars&StripesForever]

Preppy anything tells the world that you're a Mangina.

[MandaPanda♥]

Originally Posted by Stars&StripesForever

Preppy anything tells the world that you're a Mangina.

Oh, c'mon!

NO! Preppy is one of the most elegant ways to act and dress.

[MandaPanda♥]

Originally Posted by pennquaker09

It's not necessarily a fashion thing. Preppy clothes are going to be the same if it's Massachusetts or Georgia. Being truely preppy is more akin to a lifestyle.

I'm wearing a red Ralph Lauren polo. I can walk into practically any mall in the country and buy the same exact shirt. But just because a person is decked in Polo, Vineyard Vines, or LL Bean doesn't make them preppy.

Exactly. Anyone can look preppy. Everyone in my school goes for the preppy look, but they all act like hobknockers! Being preppy is about class, and knowing that you have it.

True Prep

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu21H...layer_embedded

[Stars&StripesForever]

Originally Posted by MandaPanda♥

Oh, c'mon!

NO! Preppy is one of the most elegant ways to act and dress.

Not for a man over the age of 21. It says that you're a materialist who overly cares about appearance. Not a very manly trait, in my opinion.

Men who act like women in this regard. Men who do so because they care overly what women think about them, and want to be seen as "pretty" = MANGINA!

[pennquaker09]

I was born in Massachusetts (my mom was in law school and my dad was a resident) but I was raised in Alabama. My family has vacationed on Martha's Vineyard for my entire life.

I went to Tulane and the University of Pennsylvania. I've encountered preppy from practically every state in the country and like MandaPanda said, it's about class and upbringing, the fashion is secondary.

[MandaPanda♥]

Originally Posted by Stars&StripesForever

Not for a man over the age of 21. It says that you're a materialist who overly cares about appearance. Not a very manly trait, in my opinion.

Men who act like women in this regard. Men who do so because they care overly what women think about them, and want to be seen as "pretty" = MANGINA!

You're a guy, right? For a manly man such as yourself you seem to be very consumed by the way men and women dress. Care to explain?

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by Stars&StripesForever

Not for a man over the age of 21. It says that you're a materialist who overly cares about appearance. Not a very manly trait, in my opinion.

Men who act like women in this regard. Men who do so because they care overly what women think about them, and want to be seen as "pretty" = MANGINA!

I have to agree with this... I don't like men who are overly concerned with fashion/appearances - especially the preppy fashion. I don't find it too manly. I mean I appreciate a well-groomed, well-dressed man but the preppy look can be over-the-top - except maybe on a golf course, sailboat, or polo field where it is an expected dress code.

It reminds me of the guy on "The Office" who dresses New England preppy and attended an Ivy League school. Can't remember his name. He is a handsome actor, but his preppy persona is so unattractive and unmanly to me. And I think that's the point of that character - stereotypical, unmanly preppy.

[Dayton Sux]

I have to agree with this... I don't like men who are overly concerned with fashion/appearances - especially the preppy fashion. I don't find it too manly. I mean I appreciate a well-groomed, well-dressed man but the preppy look can be over-the-top - except maybe on a golf course, sailboat, or polo field where it is an expected dress code.

This is sort of ridiculous when you think the style came from an masculine outdoors lifestyle found in New England....hunting, hiking, sailing, etc. And its also, in theory, very unstudied and unpretentious, vs the more "designer" menswhere, looks like, say, Hugo Boss or Armani.

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by Dayton Sux

This is sort of ridiculous when you think the style came from an masculine outdoors lifestyle found in New England....hunting, hiking, sailing, etc. And its also, in theory, very unstudied and unpretentious, vs the more "designer" menswhere, looks like, say, Hugo Boss or Armani.

When I think "preppy," I think "prep school uniform" which is, by nature, "studied." It is classic, but unoriginal. Also, a designer preppy wardrobe can be expensive and is used to portray the image that one has money and is part of an exclusive club (e.g. golf, rugby, polo, sailing, crew, etc.). Since it is usually about the image - real or not - then it is pretentious.

There are a lot of wannabes that dress preppy. They dress like they are going to spend the day on the golf course, though they rarely pick up a club. This makes me think that preppy is one of the most pretentious ways to dress as the majority of people don't really live up to the wealthy and sporty lifestyle they are trying to portray. If one is truly playing golf, polo, hunting, sailing for the day AND they are wearing a practical or socially required preppy outfit (e.g. collared shirt for golf, boat shoes and water wicking seearsucker for sailing), than it is not prententious. But there are very few people who wear preppy clothes for these reasons.

Most of the men I know are rugged, outdoorsy professionals and they do not dress traditional preppy. I married a handsome skier/hunter and his casual clothes are often more "sporty" I think. Most "real" hunters I know wear practical cammo/orange clothes with lots of pockets. They don't wear tight breeches, ascots, and tweed hunting blazers (unless on a fox hunt which is more about the traditional pomp and circumstance and, yes, pretension).

I do not like the "The Preppy Handbook" style of men's dress (e.g. pinks and greens, pastel plaids, seersucker, bow ties, etc. which is popular in southern FL). Is that Southern Preppy? I don't like this....






I do like the more muted/sporty style of preppy (e.g. the earthy colors, tweeds, vests, blazers of Ralph Lauren). Is that Northern Preppy? I do think men look good in this preppy style (though without the logos)...