Thursday, May 27, 2004
Bright colors and fitted, not frumpy, styles are key to achieving the conservative appearance.
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Spring fashion takes a break from the ultra low-riders and peeping thongs of the recent past to bring back the polished, preppy looks that defined the Seventies. Classic polo shirts, crisp khaki pants, and candy-colored shift dresses are some staple items for your closet.
But remember: Just because the look is conservative doesn't mean it has to be low on sex appeal. Wear everything bright and fitted to avoid looking like a frumpy soccer mom or dad.
Says Constance White, the style director for eBay, "You're making a big mistake if you don't have fun with it and use it to look sexy."
Looking for a general rule of thumb? Think country club, not strip club.
For the girls
Constance White, style director for eBay, recommends polo shirts with or without the sleeves. Just make sure they are women's. "Don't wear those big polo shirts. Get your own little sexy, skinny version."
Wear shift dresses and skirts in bright, tropical prints. Wear them short and super-cute.
Seersucker jackets and pants come in all shades. Pink, blue, green, red, and they're a fresh alternative to suits in the summer.
As for tennis sneakers, classic brands like K-Swiss and Keds are cool again.
Argyle is seen on camisoles, cardigans, sweater sets, even bags. Don't worry -- the modern interpretation of this print is very un-librarian.
Wear a pair of sunglasses that has a contemporary twist on the classic preppy: "Cross between Ray-Ban and Jackie-O."
Check the label
If it says it's made by any of the following designers or retailers, it's probably worth wearing. (All prices are for a standard polo shirt.)
UAn Original Penguin by Munsingwear (www.originalpenguin.com): $42.
UBrooks Brothers (brooksbrothers.com): $44.50 to $59.50.
UJ. Crew (jcrew.com): $28 to $38.50.
ULacoste (lacoste.com): $69.
ULilly Pulitzer (lillypulitzer.com): $55.
UPolo Ralph Lauren (polo.com): $52.50.
For the guys
Stan Williams, fashion director for Maxim, recommends polo shirts in pink, mint green, anything in the citrus family. "Women are attracted to guys who wear beautiful colors."
For neckties and cufflinks, stay on top of the trend and look professional. "It gives you that competitive edge."
Wear ribbon belts, ones with D-loop fasteners, in any color. More for style than to hold up your pants.
If you don't already own a pair, get flat-front khakis now. "On almost every guy, flat-front is slimming and flattering."
Give your contacts a rest and try a pair of old-school, dark-frame glasses.
Driving shoes are very country club, very preppy chic. "You're rich, you're aristocratic, you have to have your driving shoe."
Precautions
Only those with the keenest fashion instincts should attempt the following. The wise would not even try.
UPlaid. While acceptable on shorts as weekend wear, full-on plaid pants as normal wear can be dreadful. "It's not for the fashion amateur," says Stan Williams, fashion director for Maxim. "You'd better really know what you're doing when putting it together or you're going to look stupid."
UPleated khakis. That's what men were wearing back in the heyday of preppy fashion, but not anymore, says Williams.
UBig sizes. Baggy is sloppy, and preppies are never sloppy. Wear everything slim, tailored, streamlined. Show off that toned bod.
UConservative colors. Pastel and citrus tones say "geek chic"; black and white just say "geek." "If you play it too safe, then it'll just be boring," says Williams. "You'll look like a computer tech-y person."
UHair bands. Make a mature woman look as if she's trying to look young. "It always just looks wrong," says Constance White, style director for eBay. "It looks like you're wearing something that's more appropriate for a 16-year-old."
USweaters draped over the shoulders. This could be overkill. "It's so stereotypical," says White. "What you don't want to be is a walking poster child for preppy."