Listed below are The 11 Commandments of anyone who is considered “preppy.” There is a total of eleven of these rules as The 10 Commandments that we are familiar with are reserved for only the Holy Bible and any other sacred text in which they appear. Please enjoy and abide by these laws that will help the fashion world become a better (and more colorful) place.
1. Thou shalt not wear cargo shorts.
We've heard them all. "They are just so comfortable." "They are quite breathable." "I can't believe I can fit six water bottles into one pair of shorts." That's right, all of the excuses we have heard after trying to convert our friends. A few words of advice? Ditch the giant pockets and throw on a pair of 6''-inseam Chubbies.
2. Thou shalt not underestimate the comfort of a Shep Shirt.
I have to pay how much for one sweatshirt? Alright, I'll be honest, I was skeptical at first, too. However, once you put one of these exceptionally cozy babies on, there is no turning back.
3. Thou shalt live by the way of the vest in the autumn and winter months.
OK, so these guys don't offer maximum warmth, especially if you are living in the Northeast in January. However, the idea of layering is essential to the preppy identity, and vests give a great layered look as well as a pop of color.
4. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s Lilly Pulitzer dress.
Now, I'm a guy, so I really don't have an issue with one, but I have been around more than a few girls who do. I mean you have, "You Gotta Regatta," "Toucan Can," "Pink Lemonade," the list goes on. To most people, these are just random nouns that are thrown together; but to the preppy girl, they are patterns that lead to envy (especially if your favorite pattern is gone for the season). Ladies, we don't care what pattern you are wearing. Anything Lilly looks good.
5. Thou shalt strive to have a wardrobe as classic and plentiful as that of KJP and Sarah Vickers.
If you don't know these two already, you better remember their names. Newlyweds Kiel James Patrick and Sarah Vickers are the epitome of prep. With outfits that look like they just walked out of a store in Newport, Rhode Island and parties that would put Gatsby to shame, this couple needs to be on your radar. Oh yeah, they also own a pretty successful bracelet business.
6. Thou shalt understand how to tie and when to wear a bow tie.
There comes a time in a man's life where he needs to lean how to tie a bow tie. Now is as good of a time as ever to start.
7. Thou shalt wear a horse, dog, fish, sheep, whale, crocodile, palm tree or mountain rage upon thy chest as often as possible.
For the common folk, these nouns are properly known as Ralph Lauren, Southern Proper, Southern Tide, Brooks Brothers, Vineyard Vines, Lacoste, Lilly Pulitzer and Patagonia.
8. Thou shalt monogram everything.
To an extent monogramming can get out of hand. This commandment states that we should monogram as much as possible, but does there come a time where enough is enough? Sweatshirts are fine, refillable water bottles are fine, but corn hole boards? Really?
9. Thou shalt not exclusively place a pink whale sticker on thy car and consider thyself “preppy.”
10. Thou shalt not be afraid of seersucker.
It's a scary thought. A wrinkly material with thin blue and white stripes: rather odd. The object here is to not be scared of this ominous material. It is quite a cool material for the summer months (both literally and figuratively) and from a distance no one can tell the difference. A classic look for any prep.
11. Thou shalt consider navy thy neutral.
Navy goes with anything. Enough said.
