Hypothesis: Preppy is chic.

Style icons: Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Reese Witherspoon, Christina Ricci, Jacqueline Kennedy, Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf

Watching TV based on the lives of American bourgeois teenagers had already opened my eyes to the idea of preppy. "Cruel Intentions", featuring Ryan Phillip (who is probably one of the hottest guys on the planet) and Sarah Michelle Gellar, "Gossip Girl" (the coolest teenage series in the world) with Blake Lively and the GORGEOUS Penn Badgley, "Legally Blonde" with Reese Witherspoon, to name a few cinematographic renditions of preppy lives.

So what is preppy? Wikipedia, my favourite, most reliable, resourceful and trustworthy source (*cough cough*), states: "The term originated as a description of someone who attended private university-preparatory schools, commonly associated with the eastern United States (ndlr: read Fitzgerald's "Great Gatsby!); as well as those who attend some of America's prestegious private colleges and universities. These characteristics include particular subcultural speech, vocabulary, accent, dress, mannerisms, etiquette, and entitled life view."

In other words, what we would call Bon Chic Bon Genre (BCBG) in France.

Preppy, in fashion terms, defines people who care about their appearance, but don't go OTT (Over The Top), always managing to come up with the simplest of outfits yet looking elegant and chic. Preppies are not superficial and don't obsess about their looks. They are simple, conservative, elegant, classic and, probably most importantly, and which really encapsulates the art of preppiness... classy.

Here are some items you'll probably need if you want to try the preppy look.

Polo shirts
Whether they are brightly-coloured, pastel or more sober, polo shirts are a must! Try to own several so that you can wear them anytime with anything. Blue, pink, red, lime, turquoise... The polo shirt is immortal.

Button-down shirts
Like polo shirts, you can wear button-down shirts with ANYTHING. I personally like long-sleeved ones because you can wear them all-year round with any outfit, whether you want to be really dressy or more casual. I prefer white button-downs which you can combine with any jumper, cardigan, skirt, or dress.

Cable cord or argyle sweater
Like the polo, the sweater will never die. Not only does it just keep you warm, but it is also very easy to wear, whether thrown over a simple shirt or tied around your shoulders.

Khakis
Those will instantly make you look more dressy and fresh as a daisy. Keep them simple: straight cuts and slightly loosely-fitted so that you can move around.

Dark-wash jeans
Simple boot cut or cigarette. Avoid baggy ones at all cost! They must be nicely fitted.

Classic shoes
Favour simple and comfortable shoes: loafers (mocassins), ballet flats, flat sandals, deck shoes... Those are classic preppy-style shoes. Want to spice up your outfit? Have them in really bright colours, such as fuschia, apple green, sunny yellow, or bright turquoise.

Ribbon belts
Avoid really chunky buckle belts and bling which will clash with your look. Like the shoes, you can opt for funky-coloured ribbon belts to brighten up your style.

Skirts and dresses
The plainer the better. Pencil skirts, pleated school-girl type skirts, plaid skirts, tennis skirts, etc. Wear them with a button-down shirt or a polo and a jumper or cardi thrown across your shoulders for maximum preppiness.

Socks!
That is a detail a lot of people trying to achieve the preppy-look tend to overlook, as there are many types of socks (I actually can't be bothered to list all of them, so bear with me). At the moment when wearing skirts and dresses, I'm really into knee-high socks that people say are typical of private school girls' uniforms. Any colours will do there again but you have to be careful of how lightly-coloured they are. Lightly-coloured knee-high socks such as light pink ones or white ones may end up making you look trashy, depending on how dressy and sophisticated you look already. I personally like black socks with diamond patterns. But BEWARE! Knee-high socks are dangerous, as, if associated with the wrong outfit, they may make you slutty (it is a sad truth that people associate them with the 'naughty girl' look)
If you want to achieve the nice little girl look, go for ankle-high fold-over socks which look amazing in white with dark mocassins.

Accessories and jewelry
Be low-key. Discreet and simple are the key. For earrings, go for the discreet diamond or silver/gold studs or pearl earrings, which will make you look more chic than huge loops or massive dangle earrings will.
Necklaces - pearls, pearls, pearls! Again, small, low-key, thin, discreet, sweet. They'll lighten up your eyes and your smile.
Thinking of wearing rings on your fingers? Go for small and cute. (I guess I could be classified as an anomaly since I wear a chunky celtic silver ring on my right index!)
Hats - be simple. Berets are my favourite, as I own about five million in different colours, and you can wear them with anything, whether really dressy or really casual (avoid wearing a beret with trainers though). Woolen beanies are fantastic too, but I maintain the beret-fetiche.

Hair
Well-brushed and clean, with the parting on the side. Can be wavy if you want to and it isn't already, but big and messy are a no-no! You can wear a small barette or hair pin to brush meshes from your face. French plaits are nice, so are 'chignons' and ponytails, but be careful with the last two as they can make you look like a cleaning lady. My ultimate favourite: the head-band! I own about three million, all in different colours, and they have now become my trademark. Easy to put on and will make you look classy even if you're wearing the most hideous outfit. Ribbons and bows are a bonus, but not too flashy.

Coats and jackets
Duffle coats, woolen coats, polo coats, trench coats - thigh-high or right above the knee but no shorter, preferably in dark colours (I go for black, which, again, goes with anything). Double-breasted coats are my favourite (Carol is my current love), as they will always look chic. With dark leather gloves - sophistication à la Audrey Tautou ! If you want to wear a jacket which stops at the waist - old-school blazers (Ralph Lauren is great) or cord. Denim is acceptable but not typical of preppies as it is not the most elegant of fabrics. Avoid anoraks at all costs - you'll just end up looking like a chav.

The trick, as I've said, is to look chic, clean-cut and sunshiny. Like any fashion style and statement you have to go slowly, and not go 'all preppy' in one go - people will just say you're fake. Make it a gradual fashion change. Once you've mastered the preppy style, you can go all 'Picasso' and experiment with accessories and ways of wearing items of clothing.

But to be a real preppy (apart from the whole Ecole Normale Sup - Ivy League - Oxbridge education), you must have the vibe that goes with it.
That means you have to be sunny, smiling and nice.
Have a shower everyday, brush your hair and your teeth, wash your face at least twice a day.
Not too much make-up: make it natural and simple. That means a bit of flesh coloured lipstick, some concealer, some blush for that fresh rosie-cheeked look. I only wear lip-balm!

Get good grades at school, play sports, do extra-curricular activities, choose your friends carefully, be caring, be social, have a good reputation.
Basically, be a good girl. Without being too much of a goodie-two-shoes: you should be assertive, confident and outspoken, and able to say 'no'.

Conclusion: Preppy is only chic if you achieve the right clothing and the good attitude that goes with it.