Prep's Cool

Words by Libby Page

Waiting at the bus stop at Oxford Circus it is easy to tell who is waiting for the number 55. The men are perhaps the easiest to spot. Pork pie hats or peaked baseball caps, buttoned up checked shirts (or polo shirts), jackets (or Fred Perry cardigans) turned up jeans and the ubiquitous brogues (sans socks). Their female counterparts are slightly more elusive, yet there are certain tell-tale signs. The oversized blazers, rolled up chinos and, of course, those brogues.

preppy look preppy look

Examples of the preppy look at London Fashion Week. Photographer: Mr Hartnett

Left: 2021, Right: 2009

preppy look
preppy look

The preppy look in Brick Lane, London 2009. Photographer: James Lange

Fashion Week, 2011. Photographer: Mr Hartnett

These young people may be heading East in their preppy East London uniform, but they could just as easily be waiting for a bus back to the 80s...


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