Hello
I am a coming student from Italy and I am interested on the preppy style, but I cannot afford top brands.
Are all Preppy students buying only the most expensive items?
Or are there some preppy girls and boys who are more careful on spending money?
I think you’ll find once “kids” hit college they dress how they like rather than for the benefit of others and what others might think. “Preppy” and the importance of what you are wearing is something in the U.S.A. that goes on more in middle schools and sometimes high schools. Confident people dress in what they like, what is comfortable, what suits the climate, what they can afford and what they already own. With that being said, in the U.S. a store called “Marshalls” is a place you can often find name brand clothing at a discounted price.
If you like this style, buy on sale aND at discount places as mentioned. Nordstrom Rack often has Vineyard Vine items.
Many true “preps” buy only a handful of items and wear them to death. A lot of items are made to last.
Most students dress themselves on s budget, so you will not be alone!
Find a look you like then purchase affordable, generic versions of them. We buy from consignment shops and used clothing shops – Goodwill and the Salvation Army – because the quality is better than what I’m finding in retail stores, the styles are more attractive, it’s far less expensive than buying new, and it keeps money in our country. Whatever you can find at an affordable price in Italy will be fine.
Don’t worry about brand names. We don’t allow companies to use us as walking billboards, so there aren’t visible logos on any of our clothing items or accessories. Nobody worth knowing will notice or care what brands you’re wearing anyway. Don’t waste your disposable income on things. Save it so you can take advantage of experiences that are available.
Consignment stores and Marshalls are both wonderful. I personally like to wait until they are having a Memorial Day (end of May) or Black Friday (end of November) sale! They are both really big sales in the U.S.!
TJ Maxx is a chain store that will have top brands at a lower price. Marshall’s too. The best tip is to buy last season’s clothing so it will be affordable. You can also find inexpensive clothing and shoes on EBay.
Also, I like Poshmark. You can usually find wonderful deals if you hunt for them a little bit. At the beginning of summer, shop for winter clothes on the clearance racks. At the beginning of winter, shop for summer clothes on the clearance racks. Outlets, such as J. Crew Factory, are usually cheaper.
Macy’s Youth section - hit the sales and clearance racks. You can buy nice brands like Calvin Klein, Guess, Ralph Lauren for much less than retail price.
Rather than go for labels, which can be expensive, go for style! Figure out what looks great on you and invest in that rather than brands. Great accessories go a long way too and can dress up basics to make YOU look great.
Shop end of the season sales, look for winter things in spring/summer and summer things in fall/winter.
TJ Maxx and Marshall’s are both under the TJX Companies, and are very similar to each other. They offer new last season’s stuff, leftover new stuff from other stores, etc. at a significant discount from their original new prices. Home Goods and Sierra Trading Post are two of TJX’ other retailers.
There are different types of preppy. I’d suggest on waiting and getting an idea of what style of clothing appeals to you and building up a wardrobe over time of quality pieces that will last and are worth an investment. Many stores have outlets, or good sales a few times a year. For example, if you time things right, Ralph Lauren will have sales where you can buy at 50% or even more off. You can also find some great buys at thrift or consignment stores in upscale areas.
I would say the majority of people whose wardrobe consists of ONLY preppy clothing tend to have mostly high-end brands since they usually come from a background that can afford that lifestyle. I tend to dress preppy maybe once or twice a week, so I get alot of my clothing from H&M and Uniqlo. I don’t worry too much about brand names when I wear this style since many items don’t even have a visible logo. There are a few items that I own that people seem to only buy for the brand name (Sperry boat shoes, North Face/Patagonia fleece jackets, Ralph Lauren/Lacoste polos, Ray-Ban sunglasses, etc.)
If you really must have brand name clothing but don’t want to pay retail, you have to be a smart shopper and search for clothing at off-price retailers like TJ maxx or even thrift stores
Also, feminine clothing, like florals, is a wonderful option.
Agree with TJ Maxx - if you’re willing to put in the effort to browse through the racks (and the possibility that you won’t always find what you’re looking for in one trip), there are some great designer finds for way less than retail price. Also browse through department stores like JC Penney, or go to outlet stores when there’s a big sale.
But at the same time, people care way less about what clothes you wear in college - there won’t be some prep squad/clique judging the quality of your preppiness. No one will care if you’re getting off brand stuff. Also, you could start off with clothes that are necessary on an everyday basis, eg. a North Face fleece jacket for fall.
Judging by your username, you’re going to be in Boston? If you don’t own a winter coat already, do NOT buy a Canada Goose winter coat. They are ridiculously overpriced and you will find much cuter and equally functional winter coats at department stores for way cheaper.
@Empireapple eww. what. Thats completely not true. There is still a invisible dress code at a university, unless you don’t want to fit in.
note to OP: TBH. a “preppy” style is completely dependent on how you can style your clothes. You don’t need to load your closet with vineyard vines, patagonia, and north face clothes. A few staple items from them and you’re set. Overall you just need to dress modest, fitting, modern, and clean.
Always a big note: if you can’t afford the big brands, don’t buy them. You can tell when people are trying to fit in and it’ll just makes you look worse.
@luluemonxx haha Idk where you live but thats not true at all where I go to school. Like literally, noone cares
lululemonxx…only if you are insecure.
TJ Maxx is TK Maxx in Europe. Unfortunately they do not have stores in Italy.