Preppy Pieces I'm Ready to Revisit
Once a preppy.....
First, a shout out to all the lovely emails I received with compliments on my new do. Still love it. And several of you also seem to have gotten the major haircut bug. I do think it is something subliminal that is happening with the resurgence of everything Princess Diana + the 90s + Linda Evangelista’s return + the Capote Swans. Women used to get haircuts….you know, the Princess Di, the Dorothy Hamill. etc. And then most of us stopped and went for basic long hair. Nothing wrong with it, I thoroughly enjoyed my hair long, but I’m also excited to have a “cut”. At least for now.
Anyway, I’ve always had classic/preppy tendencies. Probably because I grew up in Virginia and then Charleston during the height of preppy years. My wardrobe in 7th and 8th grade consisted of Dickie’s flat front pants, white cotton turtlenecks with little alligators/hearts/whales printed on them along with matching headbands, fair isle sweaters and LL Bean blucher mocs. Madras shirts and Lacoste polos in the spring and summer. (Most of our clothes were bought at M. Dumas & Sons, which is still around.) I grew out of it in high school, and thank god the 80s (bad fashion time) turned into the 90s (good fashion time), but I have still always had a soft spot for button-down shirts, classic Levi 501s, Barbour jackets etc.
So! This season, thanks for Miu Miu, and the sort of resurgence of J. Crew (could be better), there are some items on my list which will get incorporated, partly for nostalgia, into my weekend wear.
Miu Miu Moccasins
These Miu Miu mocs really bring back memories of wearing my LL Bean bluchers (which they no longer make, what’s up?) L.L. Bean also discontinued the hand-sewn camp mocs that the Miu Miu’s obviously reference (are you a size 7? or a size 10?). I’m on the fence about spending the money for these shoes, but not many other people seem to have that problem because they are sold out most places. I pre-ordered the suede at Neiman’s. If I find a vintage Bean pair in my size in the meantime…..Old or new, I am sure I would wear them.
A Barbour-esque Coat
Last fall, I wrote about jumping on the Prada “trend” of a Barbour style jacket, with an original one. I returned the one I posted on and could kick myself because there are none like it to be found. If you want to splurge, here is a Prada. I would definitely go to the OG source here, this new Barbour Drummond is the best one this season. I’m wondering if they will restock the Gunnerside and Catton (that I wanted) since they both sold out everywhere. Then, there are quilted coats that give the same vibe from Nili Lotan and Toteme here and here.
A Windbreaker/Anorak
One thing J. Crew did get right is they relaunched their 1989 Heritage Anorak. Most sizes and colors are sold out, but maybe they will restock (though kind of into the all white which is still available). I do like this version from Nackiye, which has cooler proportions. I feel like there will be more in this area as more spring becomes available.
Beyond that, a few stripe button-downs a la Lauren (really she does classic/preppy so well), Ray-Ban Wayfarers, I think that should more than enough.
On another note, but also taking inspiration from the over-stuffed messy handbags from the Miu Miu show, Vogue ran a story photographed by Larissa Hoffman, featuring Emily Ratajkowski, on the idea. I love some of the images and the whole idea of having a treasure trove of goodies in your bag. Probably, because I literally carry about five things in mine…my Row Margaux is practically empty at all times and everything just slides around in it. I guess it’s good to be paired down, but I like the personality of a stuffed bag (and that green Margaux below!)
xx
Jennifer
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As someone who is solidly in Gen X and lived thru the preppy 80s, completely adhering to the Handbook (C',mon, admit it. Who had and who still has it? Raise hands. <hand up>), I love that prep has come back around. I still have the Norwegian fisherman sweater and my LL Bean Pea Coat. I never stopped wearing my Weejuns but now you've got me wishing I still had an old pair of 'boat shoes.' Sperry still makes the Topsider which competes a bit with that Miu Miu.
I’m a fan of anything nostalgic and preppy, so my heart leaped when I saw that Miu Miu elevated the docksider that was popular when I was in high school. I bought them immediately and they one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. I sized down a half size, so if you are hunting, you may be looking for the wrong size, which is what happened to me. I got lucky. Tuckernuck has a great pair of Sebago and there’s always Sperry.