prep steps

When I was eleven, I read my mom’s copy of “The Official Preppy Handbook.” I was fascinated. In the ninth grade, my favorite outfit was a navy pleated skirt and J. Crew ivory and navy striped collegiate sweater and penny loafers. I had to order away for the sweater because we didn’t have (and still don’t have) a J. Crew in El Paso. In college, I lived in khaki shorts and polo shirts and carried my books in a monogrammed tote.

Today I still admire the preppy aesthetic and take a lot of style cues from classic and preppy looks, but I cannot call myself a True Prep, neither by definition - I never attended prep school or even private school – nor attire.

Don’t get me wrong. I stand behind a nice monogram, a pretty bright Lily print, and can seriously rock the equestrian look (if I say so myself. And I do!). But I tend to choose things with just a little more edge.

These shoes are just my kind of preppy: fun, individual pieces that don’t require a head-to-toe traditional look.