| We've all seen it. The infamous plaid shorts. For those | | | | Preparatory schools as a sign of rebellion, individuality, |
| of us who grew up in the suburbs of any major city, | | | | and defiance within these school systems. Since |
| we all understand that these shorts are automatically | | | | students were forced to conform to a specific style of |
| linked with popped collars and polo shirts and in turn | | | | dress they scrambled to find ways to define |
| these fashion pieces are associated with certain | | | | themselves and express their own personalities |
| stereotyped groups or cliques of people. These | | | | through their clothing. The shirt itself also serves as a |
| groups, normally populated by teenagers and young | | | | rebellious symbol; instead of being a solid color (as |
| adults, range from your typical jocks, nerds, and preps, | | | | dictated by most Preparatory Schools) the shirt is |
| all the way to your more elusive categories such as | | | | striped with colors that stand out in a crowd. We see |
| goths, punks, and hipsters. Few people come to | | | | these shirts worn by Preps all over Suburbia; though |
| understand that specific styles of dress can be | | | | hard to see, you'll notice the small silver emblem on his |
| associated with each clique. To better explain the | | | | upper chest. This of course is the brand name I was |
| relationship between clothes and stereotypes, we're | | | | speaking of earlier. It is necessary for today's Prep to |
| going to take a brief look at the history of "The Prep" | | | | wear these symbols to avoid being mixed up with |
| and the evolution of their specific fashion style which | | | | nameless clothing companies. |
| means we'll be looking at: shirts, shorts (also known as | | | | Moving onto the lower half of the body, you'll notice the |
| Bermuda shorts), and sweaters (never worn and only | | | | plaid shorts during the spring and summertime. Another |
| hung around the neck). | | | | necessary item to stand out in a crowd and serve as |
| The term prep comes from the still popular | | | | a form of personal expression. These shorts also |
| "preparatory" school system (specifically the upper | | | | were, and are commonly worn by Preps and the |
| class private school institution). Most of our presidents, | | | | upper class when they vacation to places like the |
| senators, CEO's, and other congressmen come from | | | | Bahamas, Barbados, and Bermuda (hence the name |
| Prep schools and you'll find that most of the people | | | | Bermuda plaid shorts). These shorts have recently |
| attending Ivy League colleges (Yale, Harvard, etc.) | | | | been appropriate into the modern Preps attire for |
| have some sort of Preparatory school background. | | | | every day use; though unlike polo shirts, it is not |
| You'll find that school uniforms are prevalent in these | | | | necessarily important what brand or where the shorts |
| Preparatory schools, normally found in the form of | | | | come from. |
| collared shirts, sweaters, sweater vests, and dress | | | | For those of us living in major cities, New York City for |
| shoes, and during the summer students were allowed | | | | example, we know that this Suburbian Prep fashion |
| to wear casual shorts. Today's Prep, though having | | | | style can be found here too. The popped collars and |
| substantial differences in style, get their fundamental | | | | plaid shirts remain within the wardrobe of the |
| fashion groundwork from these generic school | | | | city-dwelling Prep, however the plaid shorts are easily |
| uniforms. | | | | replaced with cargo shorts (reminiscent of safari |
| When you see a Prep today, you will always find their | | | | fashion style which is still popular). City-dwelling preps |
| collars popped with various expensive brand names | | | | however find it necessary to kitsch the mainstream |
| plastered over their chests; however you will also find | | | | brand names and shop at either lesser known clothing |
| that some Preps live dangerously and wear the same | | | | stores such as small clothing chains, or vintage shops. |
| type of clothing with lesser known brand names, but I'll | | | | These Preps prefer finding someone affordable |
| touch on that later on. These popped collars, pressed | | | | clothing which retains the qualities of the "Prep" attitude. |
| shirts, and brand name logos serve as symbols of | | | | As you can from above race has little to do with the |
| status and also affirmations of their somewhat snotty | | | | modern day Prep. I hope that my article serves to |
| attitudes. | | | | better explain the relationships between cliques and |
| What you should notice first about the Prep is the | | | | their fashion styles. |
| popped collar, something that was used at | | | | |