Nu Preppy

© ASOS

Think you know collegiate cool? It used to be that traditional Ivy League garb set the standard – crewneck cashmere, crested blazers, preppy plaid, and the ubiquitous pearls and penny loafers were the must-haves of the school set. These days, this posh, buttoned-up look is anything but – the sweaters are looser, the skirts are tigher, and the shoes are much, much taller.

Classic collegiate style is back in a big way for Fall and big-name designers and cult-labels alike are jumping on board. Paul Smith, staying true to form, sent his girls down the runway in preppy sweaters, tailored pants, collared shirts, boyfriend blazers and thick-rimmed black eyeglasses. Unexpected details like a completely sheer oxford shirt, polka-dots, or oversized, off-kilter layers kept the look fresh and far from cliché. Deconstruction went even further at Band of Outsiders, where plaid pants and usually-tailored suit separates got a serious dose of too-cool-for-school slouchiness.

You don’t have to be a student to rock these back-to-school looks – here are six different ways to do nu-preppy.

© ASOS, MiH Jeans, J. Crew, ASOS, Cutler and Gross, Jeffrey Campbell

Think plaid is bad? This ASOS Pencil Skirt in Check is more smoking-in-the-girls-room than private school garb. Trade your classic cardigan for an off-the-shoulder crop sweater, and add platform patent-leather penny loafers or ankle booties for an updated look that’s slick enough to seduce the professor (not that you should.)

Or, do conservative-meets-cool with an oxford-sweater combo; the Swing Cotton Shirt from MIH Jeans is the perfect preppy light-blue, and perfectly fitted as well. Instead of a classic cable knit, top it off with a tactile Mohair Rugby-stripe Sweater from J. Crew. Add skinny cigarette pants and high-top sneakers for a campus stroll or a trip to the bookstore. Separate the pieces and wear ‘em with pencil skirts or jeans for fool-proof class in an instant.

The easiest way to update your collegiate classes is with accessories that echo the trend, but with an unusual or unexpected spin. Take these Culter and Gross Cat-eye Frame Optical Glasses – the shape is retro nerd, but the translucent purple acetate is new-school cool. We’d wear these even if we had 20/20.

Ditch your backpack in favor of a two-tone satchel with structure; the ASOS Faux Croc Tuck Lock Day Bag looks like an expensive Ivy League status symbol, but the price tag is more state-school style. Rock this handbag all day-long – it’s big enough to hold way more than your books, and looks fab with jeans and leather riding boots.

Finally, the loafer is cool again - especially when it comes attached to a giant stacked heel. Jeffrey Campbell works his magic on shoes with a bad reputation; check out these dark gray suede Alison Golf Fringe Loafer Wedges – we’d love to see them with a pleated mini skirt and a leather motorcycle jacket, or with slightly slouchy boyfriend-style khakis, artfully disheveled and rolled up at the ankle.

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