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Whenever the term “country club” is mentioned, retro visions of cable-knit cardigans and navy-cream palettes spring to mind à la Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger . However, this summer, designers have taken to revamp the preppy look with clashing colours, micro minis and androgynous silhouettes. Where does country-club chic come from? The more commonly known “preppy style” was popularised back in the late Nineties and early Noughties by teen hits such as Clueless and CW’s Gossip Girl.

Defined by pleats, polos and an academic polish; the “preppy” aesthetic derives from the “prep” schools that served the wealthy children of North America’s elites. The heyday of preppy fashion coincided with the rise of the excess in Eighties fashion, and was cemented by Lisa Birnbach’s The Official Preppy Handbook, which was a tongue-in-cheek examination of both the garments and lifestyle that defined the country club set. Since it’s inception, the preppy aesthetic has taken many forms: from Princess Diana’s off-duty gym wear to Alexa Chung’s eponymous label, and to Bella Hadid in Gucci today.



Depop’s in-house trend specialist, Agustina Panzoni, identified ‘Eclectic Prep’ as a key fashion theme for SS24, noting that “This trend mixes and matches streetwear imprints with classic brands. With searches for ‘preppy’ up 730% since January, shoppers are also looking for boat shoes (up 296%) and loafers (up 326%), with top brands to shop including Lacoste and D.

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