Preppy Subculture

Preppy Subculture

Sociological Perspective

The Prep subculture can be linked to the Conflict theory because it focus on classes and class-fractions. The people in this subculture have money and power and come from a higher class family. From a symbolic point of view we derive all of our judgments just from their symbolic appearance prior to even knowing anything about them, therefore giving them a negative view

Sources

http://www.theatlastic.com/magazine/archive/2010/10/prep-os-dead-long-live-prep/308213

http://www.smph.psych.ucla.edu/dbsimple2.asp?primary=1102&number=9921

http://101subcultures.blogspot.ca/2010/12/preppy.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/24/opinion/24hamlin.html?_r=0

Perspective

The mainstream society see's the preppy subculture as intimidating but still welcome it and even tag along to their trends.

Fashion

Preppy fashion has its roots in the Ivy League style of dress, which started around 1912 and became more established in the late 1950s. Some typical preppy styles also reflect traditional upper class New England leisure activities, such as polo, sailing, hunting, fencing, crew rowing, lacrosse, golf, and rugby.

In recent years, newer outfitters such as Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, Vineyard Vines, and Elizabeth McKay are also frequently perceived as having preppy styles.

Examples of their clothing style include:

• Argyle sweaters
• Crew neck sweaters
• Skirts
• Button down shirts
• Pearl jewelry
• Boat shoes

Characteristics

Preppies act like a privileged family member and carry themselves with an air of superiority. They work hard for top grades and to be admitted to top-tier prep schools and colleges. Some characteristics are their particular subcultural speech, vocabulary, dress, mannerisms, etiquette, and accent reflective of an upper-class, Northeastern upbringing.

History

The start of preppy fashion itself was in the 1950s. It consisted on wearing formal clothing so that students see themselves as young professionals. It became popular in the 80s, and then again in the 2000s.

Personality

Preppies are considered superficial people, who are interested in trivial things and possessions, they are exclusive and selective about their friends. They are classy, stylish and outgoing.

Who are they?

Preppies refer to a subculture associated with private preparatory school. Preppies are those who attend private schools. They come from upper-class families. They are confident and unafraid to express their own style and be daring in their fashions.

They are much like the main-stream culture, they just have higher standards and expectations.

Stereotypes

It is a common misconception that preppies are snobs. Many people view them as unapproachable, and as a result mislabel them. Preppies are not as rich as people may think they are, but they are often well off. They buy into classics rather than trends, and don't change their lifestyles with fads.

Pop Culture

Preppies in Pop-Culture:

Gossip Girl

Prince William and Harry

Carlton Banks

Clueless

Kennedy Family

Values

Preppies value the elegant things in life. The beliefs of traditional preps are that they must be polite, honest, well educated, liked by most, and middle to upper class.