Preppy, the latest collaboration between Jeffrey Banks and Doria La Chapelle, arrived in our studio this week.  The lovely volume documents the evolution of this iconic style with images from the early 1900′s to my favorite Slim Aarons to the current Hilfiger campaign (shown above). The book is not a manual, but rather a brief historic overview of the iconic style. Its strength relies on beautifully curated photographs to illustrate the subtle changes of the trend over  the time.

Perhaps because the style hit its heyday in my youth or simply because I love the color combinations, I find the volume completely stunning. During my teenage years in Chattanooga, Tennessee, our school uniforms were strangely similar to the picture below.

Preppy doesn’t leave me rushing out for the monogrammed polos of my youth, but as I am headed to Chattanooga this weekend, I may slip our Box Pleat Blouse under a V-Neck Sweater as I head up the mountains. It’s hard to deny the appeal of a look that not only retains its relevance but can also be worn by a woman of any age.

Perhaps I should buy a pair of Lilly Pulitzer (who also wrote the forward) shift dresses before Maggie is old enough to be completely mortified by the thought of matching dresses?Looking forward to my Chattanooga weekend with dear friends and lots of laughter (with a sweater set – or two).

Tartan: Romancing the Plaid – another collaboration from Jeffrey Banks and Doria La Chapell – is also a studio favorite.