“It is the inalienable right of every man, woman, and child to wear khaki,” wrote Lisa Birnbach in the introduction to her seminal work, The Official Preppy Handbook, in 1980. More than 40 years later, the tongue-in-cheek ode to WASP style feels as on point as ever, as Gen Z becomes the latest cohort to resurrect an obsession with all things patrician (or “old money” or “quiet luxury” or whatever TikTok is calling it these days). So put on your favorite cable-knit sweater and curl up in grandmother’s faded chintz chair as we dive into the enduring intrigue of all things prep.
Decorate
The old-money ease of well-loved slipcovers in simple cotton prints is epitomized in Bunny Mellon’s dressed-down living room at Oak Spring in Virginia (top). Her fabric source of choice? Tillett Textiles, of course. Started by husband-and-wife Leslie and D.D. Tillett in the 1940s, the brand’s hand-printed designs, made in the United States, were a favorite of Jackie Kennedy, Brooke Astor, and Sister Parish; today, in-the-know decorators still turn to Tillett for their crisp, graphic designs, all of which can be completely custom-colored. The best part? No pattern ever goes out of production.
When Tory Burch purchased Bunny Mellon’s home in Antigua in the early 2000s, she preserved the tastemaker’s original Tillett Textiles Butterfly Blotch fabric splashed on seating and bookshelves in the library.
FRANÇOIS HALARD/TRUNK ARCHIVEAccesorize
From Dodie Thayer lettuce ware to island-ready rattan to monogrammed anything, these preppy picks capture the playful-yet-polished spirit of Babe Paley’s legendary Round Hill, Jamaica, retreat. The true ethos of patrician style? Invest now, use forever—a few chips and cracks encouraged.
Get Inspired
“There is only one look in Prep decorating: Not Decorated,” proclaimed Birnbach—with the caveat that “If it must be pinned down, the look is English-American, with a dash of seaside resort and women’s handicraft.” Today’s masters of the form know that the secret to making family heirlooms and borrowed-from-the-summer-house materials feel fresh is to add an unexpected edge—think mod lighting, a touch of black lacquer, or graphic trim.
MARKHAM ROBERTS
Blue-and-white stripes, a collection of Palissy ware plates, and a leopard-spotted floor prove surprisingly congenial in this Nantucket powder room by Markham Roberts. The finishing touch? A sharp outline of red tape.
Nelson Hancock
MILES REDD
Billowing silk curtains and crisp monogrammed bed linens feel anything but staid when combined with graphic art, a primary palette, and plenty of high-wattage shine in a bedroom by Miles Redd.
Thomas Loof
NICK OLSEN
In a friend’s shoebox-sized Brooklyn studio, Olsen masterfully mixed high and low—think an Ikea bed slipcovered in a feminine floral and a simple curtain (made from inexpensive lining fabric) trimmed with a dramatic pleated ruffle.
Simon Upton
TOM SCHEERER
“WASPishly and expediently undisturbed” is how Scheerer described his client’s East Hampton residence, where he dressed the sunroom in supremely casual natural fibers and Peter Dunham Textiles’ Fig Leaf print.
Björn WallanderTrim
Channeling a West Coast bohemian version of prep, trims in natural materials meld with playful pom-poms, worldly ikats, and classic plaids for a sophisticated update on Cali-cool style. Pair one of these eye-catching accents with a simple fabric for the perfect mix of high-low insouciance.
From top: Banyan Ikat Tape by Schumacher, schumacher.com; Bali Jute Tassel Fringe, Printemps Brush Fringe, and Cirque Pom Pom Fringe by Samuel & Sons, samuelandsons.com; Colbert Tape by Schumacher; Sorrento Tassel Fringe by Samuel & Sons; Joss Trim by Schumacher. Background: Nakara grasscloth wallcovering by Schumacher.
Kevin KerrWear
From seaworthy Breton-striped sailor shirts to cricket sweaters and rowing blazers, leisure-class chic was a staple at the spring shows, where designers on both sides of the Atlantic sent models down the runway sporting colorful looks worthy of an Ivy League diploma.
Stripe Blazer (price upon request) and Double Waistband Pleated Mini Skirt ($690) by Monse, monse.com.
Terra-Ecru cotton double-weave and leather varsity jacket and Terra leather A-line midi skirt by Akris, prices upon request, akris.com.
Oversized stretch crewneck sweater ($330), tailored utility short ($260), and crochet mule ($149) by Tommy Hilfiger, tommy.com.
Pullover, Pants, Sandals, and Bracelets by Sacai, prices upon request, sacai.jp.
Watch
There’s nothing more enticing than peeking through the door to a rarefied world of privilege—particularly when its dark underbelly is revealed. The only thing more sensational than the tragic melodrama of Love Story or the thrilling cat-and-mouse game of The Talented Mr. Ripley? The pitch-perfect preppy wardrobes and ultra-stylish set design.
Timothy Hutton and Elizabeth McGovern in Ordinary People (1980).
Album/Alamy Stock Photo
Dead Poets Society (1989).
United Archives GmbH/Alamy Stock Photo
Matt Damon, Jude Law, and Gwyneth Paltrow in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999).
© Miramax/Courtesy of Everett Collection
Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand in The Way We Were (1973).
© Columbia Pictures/courtesy of Everett Collection
Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw in Love Story (1970).
Courtesy of Everett Collection
Jason Schwartzman (center) in Rushmore (1998).
Maximum Film/Alamy Stock PhotoTHIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN VOLUME 15 OF FREDERIC MAGAZINE. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE!
