It's Time To Embrace 2010s Prep
The best part? You probably have most of this stuffed in the back of your closet.
My Sperry Top Siders were my daily drivers. I wore a high bun and carried a leather briefcase from Goodwill. Norah Jones radio on Pandora. Lean Cuisine Honey Citrus Chicken in the microwave and Glee on the TV, life was pretty good for me in 2013.
I was a junior in high school, obsessed with fashion, and a participant in what you might all 2010s prep. I read the blogs. I monogrammed the shit out of any inanimate object. And I read Hemingway, sorry, carried a battered copy of A Moveable Feast with me to the local coffee shop, after school.
The indie sleaze revival is well under way, but what about those of us who insisted on knee high socks and Alexa Chung-inspired band tees? Meet 2010s prep. It’s heavily influenced by the 1960s, a sort of Margot Tenenbaum, She & Him ukulele cover version of Big Prep.
Wearing a pair of skinny jeans and gold bangles last week, I thought to myself that now was as good a time as any to celebrate what made getting dressed so fun for me in 2012-2015 as an aspiring prepster. Who knows? Maybe there’s something in 2010s prep for you too.
Disclaimer: I think trends can make us spendy and crazy. That’s not my intention. I also, as mentioned, was a teenager with a recently dead dad in the 2010s, so my fashion history reflects that. My intention? To inspire you to rewear/revisit clothes and ways of wearing them.
Oxfords
This image of Keira Knightley in her criminally underrated film Begin Again has been an inspiration for a good 14 years. What’s not to love? The pants are perfect, to begin with, and don’t get me started on those damn bangs. Let’s focus on the shoes, which are somewhere in the oxford family.
Tassels are key here, anything that feels vaguely academic and button-up. Wear them with any outfit you’d wear ballet flats or regular loafers.
These are fun and I like the thick buckle. They’re under $100 on ebay.
These are also around $75 and would be so cute with red socks and huge Levis.
I own these and love wearing them with shirts and grey socks, as pictured!
Polo or polo dress
An ode to the humble polo: it’s so much more exciting than a tshirt and way less maintenance than a blouse. I collect Lacoste ones and have always dreamed of smoking out a bathroom in a striped blue one, a la our muse pictured below.
You kind of have to decide if you want to go for a polo in a sexy way or a menswear way. I like mine a little boxy, but tighter ones can be so good with trousers for some balance. Look for details like a zipper or logo to keep things cheeky.
Did someone order a sexy polo? I have this one from Hikerkind in navy and adore it. Plus, you can hike in it? Not relevant to moi.
Found this Miu Miu polo on eBay for under $200!
You could spend all afternoon looking at Lacoste polos on eBay. Most are under $40!
If you’re thinking of embracing in a dress style, go for it! I love this dress from Tory Burch, but also think the below Tommy look is a great start.
There’s nothing like the RL Rugby line. This dress is $85 and perfect.
The only reason I’m linking this sale dress from Rosie Assoulin is that this price is pretty much the same as what this dress resells for!
One more Miu Miu! This dress is $150!!
High commitment accessories
So here’s the thing. 2010s prep is made by its accessories. You just have to figure out what you’re into. It could be ties are your thing. Maybe a hat feels up your alley. Or you could be headband person. Whatever it is, step out of your comfort zone and really commit. The look, when done well, is incredible compelling.
Famously find this to be the only comfortable headband.
Veurinks all have huge heads, so hats are out for me, but people ADORE Gigi Burris and this hat is a work of art.
Your local thrift store is awash in ties. Go there! But eBay has loads under $20, too.
Very into this bowtie, too. It’s $28!
Tights in a dark color
This is very Gossip Girl-core, so scroll on if you’re triggered. I thought red tights are very darling this holiday season. Why not veer from back all year long? I think a dark forest green and grey are great. I bought a pair of grey ribbed ones after going to a Prada preview.
Some grey tights for your consideration.
Or maybe you’d like a sheer maroon pair? These are from Gap.
Pleated/ A-line skirt
You can take this as far into the school uniform territory as you wish, but the skirt in question doesn’t have to be plaid and pleated. A little volume in a skirt always makes it way more comfortable, IMO.
Cute Prada Sport option under $100.
I can picture Jess from New Girl in this Sezane skirt.
Clean and simple Armani skirt for $33.
Or take it ALL the way with this Rowing Blazers skirt.
Classic sunnies
The idea here is to go all black, maybe all tortoise. Was anyone else obsessed with Olivia Palermo’s outfits? This entire look—copy and paste it onto my body.
This Grazia headline made me lol. She’s an outfit repeater, just like us! Doesn’t that make you feel instantly bolder and more beautiful?
These Celine sunglasses were everything to me.
Striped shirt
It feels like a striped shirt transcends trends and aesthetics. That means, it’s all about personal preference. I like mine big and boxy. My sister likes her a little cropped and tight. Once you land on something that works for you, start experimenting with layering—I love a turtleneck under a striped shirt or a striped shirt with you fanciest skirt.
For those looking for something cropped.
Saint James is the OG here, so search this term on eBay and Poshmark!
I love how this feels like a cross between a sailor tee and a rugby shirt. And it’s on sale.
Go all in on color with this $30 vintage tee.
Denim button up
This is a recent rediscovery for me. Now a chambray shirt is really historically accurate, but any kind of denim will do. I like wearing mine undone over a shirt with loose linen pants. Any time you’d wear a denim jacket? Sub in a denim shirt, just like this fine gentleman.
A very solid option from Frank & Eileen, especially if you already like the fit of this shirt.
Go for a pearl snap! Why not? This one is $30.
I have this exact shirt. This one is $24!
$95 is a good deal for this TWP shirt on Noihsaf.
Colorful jacket
Just for a day, let your blazer rest. Listen, I’m preaching to the choir here, but I’m recently enamored with any other kind of jacket. Something cropped feels apropos here, but I included a letterman shout out because, there’s no greater jacket IMO.
Searching “J.Crew collection jacket” will yield stunning results, like this one.
I love this St. John jacket on TRR for under $150.
SICK over this preloved Shrimps jacket.
Cutie Ace & Jig coat for $125.
This suede jacket from ba&sh is so chic to me.
Another item to look for at your local thrift store. This one is $60 on eBay.
Honorable Mentions
You should frame your photo booth strips! Here’s a frame I like on Etsy.
If you use a Nuface or ZIIP, you don’t have to keep buying the expensive gel. I buy this $6 gel and it lasts me 6 months.
My brother made me this playlist. I love him and his taste in music, so I thought I’d share!
Thank you for reading Long Live. It means so much to me. You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, and shop my Notion template. Get matched at EV Salon. And if you want to partner on a future Long Live, email evan@communite.co x
Loved this despite it making me feel mega old! That first photo was from a Tommy Hilfiger fashion show I worked on! It kicked off their "Prep World" tour with the legendary Lisa Birnbach (who's # I appear to still have saved in my phone???).
I'll always be a slut for a striped shirt