Stay On Neutral Ground

“Don’t overcomplicate the look with bright collegiate colours. Stick to neutrals if you want a more grown-up version of preppy,” says Carl Thompson, men’s lifestyle blogger and founder of hawkinsandshepherd.com. “For foolproof preppy, try contrasting a navy sweater or blazer with light chinos.”

Keep It Classic

Vintage shots of 1960s Ivy Leaguers still don’t look out of place now. Why so? “Sticking to classic preppy pieces like a cotton cable jumper will make the trend look timeless,” advises Gant’s design team. No Instagram archiving over here.

Clean Cuts

“The preppy look is clean and polished so make sure each piece fits perfectly and tuck in any loose ends or unfinished edges,” says Emma Burke, fashion editor at Jules B. Final touches like monogram embellishment on shirts and sweaters will also elevate your prep credentials.

Use Unexpected Colours

If you want to venture into more colourful, traditional preppy ground, keep it quirky. Patrick Grant, designer of Hammond & Co. at Debenhams as well as his own label, E. Tautz, says, “Start off with a base of classic tailoring, like tweed and flannels, and layer on top bursts of colour in your shirts, knits and socks – think lemon, peach or mint green for ultimate old-school preppiness.”

What Not To Wear

Red. Trousers. Ever. The. End.

10 Preppy Pieces You Need In Your Wardrobe

Oxford Shirt

Formal shirts aren’t going to cut it for prepping up, so button up its off-duty little brother instead. Less structured a cut from a slightly thicker material, Oxford shirts nail that tricky smart-but-not-stiff vibe.

Thompson says: “Still considered a sports shirt, a decent button-down is the ultimate staple for prep style. Wear it under a navy blazer or varsity jacket.”

Key Brands: J.Crew, Ralph Lauren, Gap, Gant, Brooks Brothers, Club Monaco, Uniqlo