All of my favorite TV characters have preppy style. (See Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl, Hanna Marin on Pretty Little Liars, and Charlotte York on Sex and the City.) And for as long as I can remember, I've been trying to emulate their preppy style to varying results. But after years of practice, I've determined the nine key elements to prepping up your wardrobe—which you may have to do every once in a while too. Maybe your boss will invite you to a fancy country club where members love talking about their summer houses in Cape Cod. Maybe your best friends will suddenly develop an interest in polo. Maybe you'll meet Blair Waldorf herself, and the only way she'll befriend you is if you wear plaid. I'm kidding, of course, but if you are looking to make your style a little more preppy, it's not that hard. Below are the main tricks, demonstrated by some of your favorite celebrities.
A tried-and-true pattern in preppy style. Ella Balinska is sporting it here, and doesn't she already look prepared for lunch with The Plastics?
I love Victoria Beckham's here. Buy a similar collared shirt or a dickey, a false shirtfront that's easy to layer. I bet you'll suddenly have a craving for caviar.
Sure, florals aren't groundbreaking—but they are essential to any preppy look. Just look at Jane Krakowski's dress here. The pattern changes her look from everyday to "Sorry, I only hang out with girls in top-tier sororities."
Riverdale's Cheryl Blossom would absolutely approve of Madelaine Petsch's look in this photo. If you want to mimic a variation of this, aim for a classic white dress shirt with a high neckline. With one of these in your arsenal, everyone will want to sit with you.
Especially from classic designers, like Olivia Culpo's Louis Vuitton luggage. You just need one (admittedly pricey) staple like this in order to strike fear in a preppy Queen Bee's heart.
Again, another hallmark fabric for a preppy look. An all-plaid suit, like what Nina Dobrev's wearing here, is perfect for fighting with your mother about which Chanel bag to buy you.
A cardigan with Easter-egg colors—like Nicky Hilton's here—perfectly captures the country-club aesthetic.
If plaid and argyle aren't for you, give polka dots a try. While not as overtly preppy, they still do the trick. Please refer to Alison Brie's crop top and skirt combo.
Throw one of these over any outfit, and you'll be ready to rule your "school" (i.e., your gym, office, a room full of strangers). Tiffany Haddish's blazer in this photo is particularly preppy. (It's the plaid.)
