TheRules

I had to trek it to Connecticut this weekend for an event at Choate Rosemary Hall, and surprisingly the trip offered a few twinkles of *gasp* sartorial inspiration.

In the same way that Ms. Baraschi tugged at my girly-girl heartstrings, these Northeastern ensembles conjured memories of my time as a super-prep! Though I haven’t totally abandoned my preppy ways, back in the day I was damn near Carlton.

I’m talking, I was a Polo-collar-popping, sweater-over-the-shoulders draping, scarf-at-the-neck tying black Buffy. (Ha!)

Guess which one I would be!

Well, we’ve already discussed my current edgier aesthetic, but old habits die hard. And these prep-schoolers and their parents had me fantasizing about how soon I could once more match my sweater to my Polo horse. (Yep, true story)

One mother, dressed in an olive-green turtleneck dress and rich hues of chocolate was a walking Ralph Lauren ad. A brown leather belt was slung at her waist and matching suede boots topped things off. The look was simple in concept, yet polished and sexy in execution.

I will refer to my next source of inspiration simply as Mama Birkin, as she was toting (ever-so-nonchalantly) a black Hermes handbag, the ultimate marker of high-end fashion. She was upstate chic in tons of camel tones and fitted denim. Her tan wool blazer and dark jeans were accessorized with enough gold jewelry to make even me, a jewels junkie, stare a little longer. But the look did not reek of nouveau riche-ness like so much of the rest of American society…Real Housewives of (insert city) anyone? Instead, her designer bag and stacks of gold were classic and inconspicuous, as if she they were key items in her everyday wardrobe. The only thing Mama Birkin reeked of was Chanel No. 5…and trust fund money.

JCrew=PrepPalace

Though the students were totally bummy for the most part (it was the weekend), a few stood out as lil New England stylistos. And certain preppy themes reigned supreme- colorful Hunter boots, monogrammed canvas totes and Burberry as the print du jour.

Dressed in crisp khakis and a layered polo and sweater combo, one male student wrote the book on the prep school uniform. I’m sure he would’ve broken out the Nubucks had it not been for the weekend’s dreadful rain. Another male Choat-ie epitomized boarding school in a Polo pull-over and backwards cap over shaggy hair. Unlike Mr. Prim and Proper, he obviously hadn’t made any kind of attempt to get dressed. But it was his sense of indifference that furthered that feel of innate preppiness.

For me, the effortlessness of these ensembles is what makes the American-sportswear look so interesting. I love throwing on a white button-down and jeans, and letting my mind run wild with style possibilities. Hmm, that’s probably how I ended up with those sweaters over the shoulders  so many times in high school.

I’m not telling y’all to become Land Rover-whipping, Lily P. fembots, but I am recommending that you take inspiration from the unfussiness of upstate chic this spring. Wear earth tones with the same panache of winter’s jewel hues. For a do-nothing hair day, throw on a printed headband. I warn that the sweater-over-shoulders look is an acquired taste. But if you’re up to the challenge, give it a try for a little extra polish.

After this weekend, I plan on hitting The Crew as soon as the clock strikes March 1. :)