The Preppy Drink: Water

Our bodies require lots of water, so why not choose it when looking for something to drink?! Not only is water an excellent beverage choice, it has so many additional benefits.
-Water will do amazing things for your skin. Water will hydrate your skin cells, flushing out impurities and leaving the skin looking fresh and clean.
-Water also has no calories, so it is appetite suppressant.
-Water also is the hidden key to weight loss.
-Studies have shown that water is the magic to loosing weight in the trouble areas around the waist and thighs.

How much water should you drink?
The rule of thumb is 8 glasses a day, spread out. Don't drink all that water at once, it isn't healthy. There are some 'Water Calculators' online where you can type in your height, weight and amount of exercise information to get a more accurate display of how much water you should drink a day.

How do the Preps drink their H20?
Sure, you can spend tons of money a week on bottled water, but the latest trend we have been seeing is bright, fun colored water bottles. Our favorite for this season is the Camelbak bottle. We LOVE the straw and it is fun to drink from.

The Preppy Outdoor Attire

Part of being preppy is being out in nature and staying athletic. One thing that modern day preps are known for is their outerwear attire.

Every prep has got to own a North Face fleece. Both boys and girls love these jackets because they are super comfortable and they are super warm.

LL Bean also make great outerwear pieces. We love their big duffel bags for traveling back and forth from college to home. We also love how you can get your initials put on your bags.

Patagonia has some of the best quality clothing and gear for all kinds of outdoor activities. Their 3/4 zip pull-overs are a must for this fall season!

Kavu also makes great outdoor clothing that is going to last. They have great sales prices on their website.

The Preppy Stores

Leave wanna be prep stores like Abercrombie & Fitch, Holister, Pac Sun and Aeropostal to the wanna be's. You are in the big time now! Plus these clothes are extremly over priced for the amount of times you will wear them!
It's time to dress in all out East Coast, College Prep. Remember to buy things that are classic, clean and sophisticated.

Start shopping at stores like:
-JCrew
-Ralph Lauren
-Polo
-Vineyard Vines
-Brooks Brothers
-Northface
-Gap
-Ann Taylor
-Banana Republic
-Lacoste
-Ashworth

Purchase things that will last you not only the school year, but for the rest of your life. Clothes that are bought from Holister and those other stores, do not last, and as I am sure you have found out in the past, shrink in the wash!

Shop the stores where you will find quality and peices that are made out of good material that is going to last you.

Great deals can always be found if you look for them! Head to the back of these stores and check the sales rack. Also, something I learned this summer, some stores give discounts to College Students! Don't be afraid to ask!
Another great place to shop is outlet malls! Look for one near you!

The Preppy Attitude

Most people think that preppy kids are stuck up and snobby, but that is not the case! Preppy students are known for their cool, collected confidence that they give off to others. They are not trying to impress anyone.

How to get that Cool, Collected Confidence

-Be Happy! Always walk around with a smile on your face. People want to be around other people that are happy because it makes them happy. They dont want to be around kids that are always complaining about the little things in life. The preppy kids are not afraid to smile at other students when they walk around campus. Try it and watch how their face will glow right back!

-Speak up! When your at a party, don't shy away to the cornor with your normal social group. Preppy people are not afraid to just put themselves out there and jump into conversations.

-Walk tall! You look the part, so why not walk the part! Stand up strait and walk with a purpose. Your body language says alot about you. Preps that are confident are walking tall.

-Protect your Rep! Remember, no matter how big your campus is, things spread around fast. So keep that in mind when you do go to parties that whatever you do, others are watching. Avoid kissing everyone you know, you don't want 'sleezy' tagged onto your name. Also avoid getting drunk. You don't want to be known for that!

-Be Classy! Being preppy is all about being classy. It is not only about your outfit, but it is the entire package. The language you use, the way you present yourself, it all should portray an image of class.

-Be Nice! You have no reason to be rude or snobby. Treat others how you want to be treated. This really does work!

The Pearl Necklace

The most classy accessory is the pearl necklace. A simple, yet elegant piece that is great for almost every outfit.

How to wear Pearls:
-Pearls look great with everything, from a classic black dress, to a polo with jeans.
-Pearl earrings are also a great way to incorporate pearls into your ensemble
-There are many different types of pearls that come in different shapes and colors

Where to get them:
-Pearl necklaces are sold almost everywhere, from fancy jewelry stores to Walmart.
-Looking for a cheap find? Try Target.
-Also! Ask grandma if she has any old pearls that she doesn’t wear anymore. There is nothing more classy than wearing pearls that have been passed down from generations.

Get the Hair

Your hairstyle says a lot about you. And as every prep knows, people what to look at you and think wow, that girl has class!

Achieving preppy hair isn't hard at all! Here are a few tips:

-keep your hair well-groomed by keeping it clean and brushed

-the preppy style is all about looking classic, so wear your hair it's natural way. Stop damaging your hair by straitening it. Super strait hair (unless it is your natural hair) is not a preppy look!

-Keep your hair looking very natural. Use shampoo's that give your hair a bit of a natural wave to bring out texture to your hair when it drys.

-You don't always have to use a blow dryer when you let your hair dry. Letting it dry on it's own will help bring out it's natural wave.

-Use conditioner every-other wash. This will give your hair a nice shine and at the same time, not way it down.

-length is really what you are comfortable with, but we think that shoulder length hair is perfect.

Preppy Accessories

There are some fun accessories to add your hair styles. Here are some of the essentials:

-headbands: thick band, skinny wire, with big flowers, with tiny dimonds... really anything goes! We like headbands that have cute patterns/prints on them.

-ribbon: ribbons are great! We love tieing them up into a ponytail, or even using them as a headband. Every girl should own at least one little white ribbon to tie into her hair.

-baseball cap: a classic baseball hat looks so cute and preppy when tied with the perfect outfit of jeans and a polo.

- Bobbypins: always have some on hand for pinning your bangs up to show off your beautiful face.

Skincare and Makeup

Preps know that the look is all about having that natural beauty with a warm, fresh-face that people want to meet and get to know.

Skincare

-Wash your face both in the morning and evening. Washing your face keeps your pores clean and keeps your skin looking young and healthy.

-there are many kinds of face washes you can buy. Be sure to read the label where it describes what kind of skin the product is best for.

-be sure to wash off your makeup every night before you go to sleep. You skin needs time to breathe and your eyelashes can't continue growing if they are globbed up with mascara!

-no matter what the weather is like outside, always use a mostiurier that contains an SPF to protect your skin from sun damage.

The Perfect Makeup

-Foundation, use the most minimual amout of conceler that you can. You want your skin to look as natural as possible, and that cannot be done when you face is caked on with foundation1

-Powder can make a huge difference and really make your face look more smooth and healthy. Purchase a color that is at least one shade lighter than your natural skin tone. This will brighten your face up a little.

-Blush is a must! Add a little pink to your cheek bones. Apply in a strait line from the cornor of your mouth up to your earlobe

-Eyeliner use it to outline your eyes. Apply to the top lid, and add to the bottom for a more dramatic, night time look. Try to stay away from black eyeliner because it will make your eyes look smaller. Use a brown, purple or even dark blue instead!

-Mascara does not always have to be used, but will make your eyes pop. You don't need alot on to make your eyes stand out. Many brands of mascara can be expensive because they tell you they will offer the best length... in the end, all mascara does the same thing. Our favorite is the simple mascara in the pink tube with the green lid.

-Lip gloss will give your lips a little pout and draw the eye to your lips when you smile.

The Boat Shoe

We love Boat Shoes here at The College Prep. Everyone should own a pair of these shoes because not only are they extremely comfortable, they are very preppy. They give off the feeling of a relaxed individual who still has style and class.

Our favorite type of boat shoe is defiantly the Sperry Topsider.
Sperry Top-Sider has been the "leading brand of footwear for those who love the water". It is known for it's slip resistant rubber outsole and also their ability to combat the elements.
We love them for their nautical colors and prints. They are not your grandpa's pair of shoes. They are great for anyone! Men, women and even kids!
Whether you are at sea or walking the streets, Sperry shoes provide quality boat shoes for comfort.

Where can I get a pair?
You can purchase Sperry's online off their website, but we have also found other stores that include them. Some of these stores are:
-Nordstrom’s
-Journeys

***Ladies- Don't be afraid to look in the men's section. Usually the men's selection offers more variety and they have such cute patterns. Whatever your normal shoe size is, in men's, it should be 2-3 sizes below.

The Preppy Accessories

Accessories help pull together your entire look and when done correctly, help you look polished and classy!

The perfect preppy accessories include:

-purses: Everyone loves a super cute bag. One that you can throw over your should and be ready to go. We, of course, love any Coach bag. They offer such a classic look and are good quality bags that are worth the little extra because they are going to last you.

-headbands: A great way to accessorize your hair! They also push hair out of your face, making you look fresh and classic.

-ballet flats: Just the cutest pair of shoes you can own, ballet flats offer a shoe style that is just great for any outfit, whether it be jeans, or a skirt.

-tote bags: Great to use as a bag for school to keep your books in and still look classy! We like brown canvas bags that are spiced up by tying a colorful scarf around one of the handles. Our ultimate favorite tote bag is the Vera Bradley. All their prints and patterns are just so cute! You cannot go wrong with any color or size!

-ribbons: You can tie them anywhere. Into your pony tail, around your hips as a belt, or even around you waist on top of a solid top. Ribbons are a great accessory that can be used in many ways.

-jewelry: Classic pieces are a must. Pearls are a great accessory that make any outfit a bit more preppy. We also think diamond earrings are a great piece of jewelry that will add that extra sparkle to your ensemble.

-sunglasses: They not only protect your eyes, but they are just the perfect accessory for outside. Right now, big frames are in. Chanel sunglasses are our favorite preppy pick.

-Scarves: They are perfect for fall this season. Right now, light weight scarves with plaid patterns are really in for the fall season. JCrew has some really cute ones this season.

The Basics

Preppy clothes are pieces that are classic, and clean-cut. They don't always have to be expensive, but they do need to be good quality. Don't be afraid to spend a little extra, because quality clothes are something that will last you a long time.

Colors are also super important and meant to be fun. Wearing clothes with solid colors helps keep your look clean and put together.

Preppy Colors are those that are bright and cheerful. Like pink, green, light blue, yellow, soft orange. They also include the nautical color pallet of red, white and navy.

Fabric is also important. Try wearing clothing that is khaki, madras plaid, seersucker, or linen.

Prepsters are not only known for their colors and but also their bold prints like plaids, patch work, anchors paisley, argyle, and floral.

What should be in the closet?

Here are a few of the classic, preppy pieces we like to wear.
-Polo shirts (popped collar optional)

-Oxford shirts

-Rugby shirt

-vests and sweaters

-A jacket or blazer

-Chino pants (be adventurous and try a wild pattern of repeating anchors, or whales)

-Khaki pants

-Bermuda shorts

-Skirts

-sun dress

**My little rule of thumb is to ask myself, would this be a cute outfit to wear if I were to go golfing.