While fashion trends can change rapidly, there’s one timeless style that always makes a return for autumn – preppy fashion. It is a style that is rooted in tradition, yet is effortlessly adaptable as the preppy fashion style continues to evolve each season. It’s no wonder we’re seeing it all over the fall 2025 runways and street style scenes.
So, what exactly is the preppy aesthetic? It is a style that is often associated with the upscale preparatory schools and colleges. Think of the cool kid walking to class, carrying books through the fallen leaves.
It is a style that has been made even trendier throughout the last decade thanks to pop-culture TV shows such as Gossip Girl and Gilmore Girls. After all, who didn’t watch Gossip Girl and immediately want to replicate Blair Waldorfs signature preppy outfits?
If you’re a fan of the preppy fashion look as much as I am, read on for a breakdown of the trend, as well as a helpful how to style guide and where to shop for must-have preppy clothing…
Preppy Style on the Runway
If you needed more proof that preppy fashion is one of the biggest fall 2025 trends, look no further than the runways. From New York to Paris, designers reimagined school-inspired looks with a modern edge.
At Vivienne Westwood, matching blazers and skirt suits came in check and striped prints, giving traditional tailoring a rebellious twist. Balmain showcased sharp pleated skirts, while Bora Aksu leaned into a uniform-inspired aesthetic with grey blazers and skirts reminiscent of collegiate dressing.
Burberry and Louis Vuitton both leaned heavily on check – the ultimate preppy print – using it on skirts, jackets, capes, and dresses. Meanwhile, Mithridate gave the trend a relaxed spin by styling sweaters draped over the shoulders and layered over crisp Oxford shirts, a nod to the effortless, casual preppy outfit formula we know and love.
(L-R: Mithridate, Louis Vuitton)
How to Achieve the Preppy Aesthetic
The good thing about channelling this aesthetic that you really only need a few capsule pieces. Some of which you likely already have. Key pieces include polo and rugby shirts, classic button-downs, blazers, cable-knit sweaters, loafers, and pleated skirts.
To create casual preppy outfits, you want to be layering the pieces over each other, especially mixing up sporty items like a rugby shirt, with more traditional ones such as a blazer or trench coat.
Patterns play a huge role in preppy fashion style – think plaid skirts, striped knits, and argyle cardigans. Don’t be afraid to mix and match; the preppy look is all about playing with classic prints in new ways.
Preppy Outfit Ideas
Preppy Fashion Brands To Know
When it comes to shopping for preppy outfits, there are a few brands that already have this aesthetic rooted in their DNA. Labels like GANT, Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger are synonymous with preppy fashion, offering timeless staples like button-down shirts, varsity sweaters, and tailored chinos.
J.Crew is another go-to for modern preppy style, perfectly making classic Ivy League looks suitable for the everyday. And if you’re looking for an affordable take on casual preppy outfits, Abercrombie & Fitch has made a huge comeback in recent years, reintroducing cable knits, pleated skirts, and structured outerwear that perfectly capture the trend’s collegiate charm.
Preppy Fashion Pieces To Shop Now
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