Prep has come a long ways since the 80s. For the past few years, it’s been up to brands like Vineyard Vines and Tory Burch to carry the prep torch by themselves. But slowly, we’ve been seeing a new kind of preppy emerging, one more focused on elegant basics in neutrals and a sportiness that hearkens back to early Ralph Lauren days. Even the queen of prep Tory Burch seems to have noticed a shift in the field, and launched Tory Sport.
Here’s a sentence I never thought I’d type: chinos are back again. But we’re styling them with casual t-shirts and sneakers by cool-kid brands like Common Projects or even your trusty Stan Smiths for a little bit of street cred. New line Kule has a playful approach to prep, making comfortable takes on polos and rugbys that still feel polished and grown up.
Shirtdresses are in, as always, but receive a modern update with a certain oversized flair. All the better to pop your color and throw on a pair of pearls with. And remember: oversized doesn’t have to mean shapeless! It just so happens that one of the coolest silhouettes in fashion right now is also the most comfortable. That doesn’t happen very often, so take advantage while you can.
And as always, there is almost nothing better than a crisp Oxford. Pair it with jeans, with skirts, with shorts, as a bathing suit cover up – it goes with everything.
All of our recommendations are curated by Susan & the In The Groove editorial team. In some, but not all cases, we receive a small commission for leading you to what, how and where to buy all this wonderful stuff.