fashion advice help: How can I look preppy without strictly following her guideline to button up - Help.com

People often confuse “conservative” dress with “preppy” dress. Conservative dress is limited to basic, muted colors like , grays, browns, burgundy limited amounts of black and white. Preppy dress is tends to be a bit more relaxed, leisurely, and full of color- think of an afternoon sailing or a uniform worn by a student at a New England prep school. Your girlfriend seems to want you to dress in a more “conservative” rather “preppy” look.

To make your life easier, look no further than the king of preppy himself, Ralph Lauren (Tommy Hilfiger and the higher priced Hickey Freeman Line can also work). Sold at most major department stores and stores like TJ Maxx and Ross, Ralph Lauren continues to define the preppy lifestyle concept with both his Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren brands. Purchase copies of GQ and Esquire, remove the Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Hickey Freeman ads, and bring them into the store with you when you shop for guidance. Think “casual wealth” and “relaxed wealth”, when dressing. How many buttons you button doesn’t matter as much as making sure your shirt is ironed and neat (making sure it isn’t tucked into your pants), or wearing a pair of canvas boat shoes or moccasins with your khakis, instead of a pair of dress shoes or messy sneakers.

In closing, I would encourage you to findyour own personal style or communicate your style to your girlfriend. Personal style is, well, personal and you have to be an active participant in the development of your own style.