Southern and Nautical Prep

As promised, here is the first blog post of a series that will further define the different types of preppy style. Being the end of summer now it only seemed fitting to begin with the Nautical and Southern Prep looks, as I associate these with the warmer months personally.

As the preppy style began to take off more and more, those is warmer climates needed to adapt the style into their own. The style took on a lighter flair down south with more pastels and madras prints in lighter fabrics. With this style, the Lilly Pulitzer shift dress in fun summer prints became a staple as did Jack Rogers sandals once Jackie Kennedy began sporting them. Not only has this aesthetic become the staple in southern states such as Florida but also a major styling of warmer months in other states. There is some overlap here as well to the nautical vibe which is why I chose to link them in the same post. The Southern Prep style undeniably has more fun patterns and brighter colors though. 

 

While I do enjoy some bright colors now and again, I do not find my closet particularly full of Southern Prep options. The closest photo even of myself for this option is below when I went to a glass blowing class a few years back. I sported green scallop hems shorts from JCrew with a Simply Southern tee and Sperry footwear. While I realize that these brands are iconic, I think I personally have more away from the brighter colors the older I am getting.

Staple pieces for this Southern Prep look include: shift dresses, madras prints, sandals, cardigans, white trainer type shoes, wedges, fun prints, and bright colors. 

Nautical is typically the vibe I personally lean toward more in the summer months. I am a sucker for a good seersucker! There is just something to me calming about being near water, despite the fact that I cannot swim, and this is most likely to occur in the warmer months, so I find a nautical vibe to be my primary summer wardrobe. The pearls and anchor prints with strips and shades of  blue are absolutely perfection to me in the summer months. 

More days than not as a matter of fact, you will find me during June, July and August wearing Vineyard Vines or some other nautical-like brand with my Jacks or Sperry's. This style was derived around leisure activities such as sailing, yachting, island hopping in New England or being at a lake house. This color palette includes a lot of blue as well in a nod to the sea. I was able to find a lot more examples of me donning this style of preppy as examples.

Staple pieces for this Nautical Preppy look include: Chinos, cable sweaters in a slimmer fit, Sperry boat shoes, anchors, stripes, along with blue and light green tones. 

Which of these 2 preppy styles is your favorite? Comment below... what are some of your go to summer looks? Be sure to subscribe for notice of future posts as they are published.