PREPPY
PREPPY
Being fashionable does not require an individual to be a millionaire. It all starts from passion and accepting oneself. Fashion and style is there to fit all kinds of figures. After identifying the category one falls, it can be easy to dress in what fits you well. Apart from dressing, other thing like accessories that completes a normal dressing is acceptable. This entails proper matching of colors and body figure to make a fabulous look. There are people who prefer being preppy in order to fit in a given social status. Stereotypically, he word preppy is used to define style that is used by the rich. For example, style of fashion used by those who go to expensive schools, live in estates that are trendy or come from very rich homes (an example can be the Hamptons) (Banks, Chapelle & Pulitzer 2011, p. 19). In addition, Preppies can be graduates or students from preparatory schools or universities that are expensive. Such students like to dress in a unique way and have friends who adore them. Therefore, the most important thing in this paper will to be to address the importance of being preppy in a society without being excluded.
Background of preppy style
The ideology of preppy style started very long in the olden days. People who were highly educated in expensive schools and came from famous backgrounds had to be stylish. For example, in Britain, the preppy style is admired by a number of people (Birnbach 1980, p.37). It was initially believed that preps were snobs. Others believed that interacting with the preppies required one to be like them. Stereotypically, it can be assumed that preppies were considered arrogant, and people who looked down upon the inferior (Banks, Chapelle & Pulitzer 2011, p. 29). However, this was not the case. Statistically, not all preppies are snobs. Most of them are very friendly and are high-spirited. Preppies like to be noticed and are very organized people. They like to dress in original labels that are unique and match their cloths appropriately. In addition, they have specific games and sports they associate with. These include tennis, squash, golf and swimming. Therefore, several things can be addressed when trying to be a preppy and they will be discussed along the paper.
Research aims
The research takes place in an English learning institute. Making friends is not an easy task. People have different opinions about the people they meet. For example, if one dresses in a classy way she will be approached by people who seem to be of her class. In addition, she will be admired by many people and those who look at themselves as inferior would wish to be identified as friends of such personalities. Therefore, the aim of this research is to determine how preppies can make friends in an ordinary English learning institute. Other objectives include
To interact well with other people without being excluded
To find the right attitude in order to be identified as a preppy
How to help others become preppies
Research questions
Before the research was taken, several questions were asked. These questions helped in analyzing several issues that affect preppies. It is vital to consider variety of questions in order to come up with a distinguished way of solving challenging situations that affect the preps in the society. Among the research questions, the following were used to carry out the research
Who is a preppy?
Do people admire preppy style? Give reasons
Are preppies snobs?
How do preppies interact with other people in the society?
How can an ordinary person in the middle class become a preppy?
Overview
While considering various research questions and the research objectives, it is vital to note that being a preppy is not an easy task. There are several things that a person should consider when considering to be a preppy. However, it will be clear in the literature review that anyone can be a preppy as long as it comes naturally. There are characteristics that are attributed to such people, for example eating styles, dress code, accessory used, walking style, and choice of sports among others. Therefore, one does not have to have millions to achieve these goals. However, it is necessary for those who wish to be preppies to understand the need to be creative in life. In the end, it will be discovered that having money is beneficial to attaining most of the characteristics desired by preppies.
Literature review
As discussed earlier, being a preppy entails mastering a series of things. These characteristics are inborn and cannot be forced. For example, it is very difficult to remove the village from a person who is a villager. This phrase has been used commonly to show that certain things come naturally. Most preppies find themselves brought up in an environment where certain characters are valued than others. Banks, Chapelle & Pulitzer argue that certain activities are considered less impressive to those who value classy things (2011, p. 56). Things like athletics are vigorous and are not adored by preppies. They strain the muscles and make them sweat like zombies. Such a look is not fit for social appearance. The idea of dressing classy does not necessarily mean that one has to have expensive clothes and accessories. A preppy person can go to a middle-income store and purchase cloths that are classy rather than trendy and match them to meet the standards of a real preppy. For example, preppy ladies do not like tight cloths that showcase their figure, they dress in free dresses that are classy and elegant. In addition, they prefer classy cloths rather than being trendy, they do not follow fashion (Ritchie para. 5). Their style is concurrent year in year out. It is also notable that such people do not put on short skirts. They value dresses, which come in various styles depending on occasions. Countries like England endorse such style, while walking on the streets or attending private schools in certain regions, one can easily notice heavy make up one by women, flawless here style, nature of greeting, restaurants they go to and many more. Therefore, there is so much to learn in case one wants to try the preppy style and fit in the status quo appropriately. Preppies have tend to appreciate new skills especially language. It its their characteristic to be fluent in some languages that are related to preppy culture. For example, Spanish and Italian can be learnt easily by preppy students. In addition, preppies like honesty. That is why they will try as much as they can to be friend with people who are honest. Relating with a preppy while one is not may be challenging. In the 21 st century, non-preppies may look at the preppies old fashioned and culture oriented. They are deemed to stick to traditions rather than style up and fit in the current world. However, that may not be the case of a preppy.
In a language institution, preppies will portray their personality and convince the others that they are comfortable with who they are. As a preppy, the use of second language to make friends shows that one is interested in the targets way of living. The target can automatically know who is is ready to befriend him in a positive way. it also makes conversation easier and in the end, the students can work along quite well. Preppies in language schools have a common way of making friends. Under most occasions, they love people who are humble and may be set aside due to some social factors. For example, some rich students may not like to associate with middle or low class. In addition, they feel that they may be underestimated in college clubs like presidency in fraternity. Therefore, preppies like to make friends with people who are neglected, and make them stand out in the society.
Birnbach releases ideas that are reasonable to all men women and children who want to be classy yet are not rich. She suggests that anyone can be preppy despite the community one comes from. One does not have to be a republican, communist, or democrats to express their preppy style (Birnbach 1980, p. 16). This assertion proves that not all preppies are rich. However, statistically it is proven that most preppies are financially stable. It is not easy to buy classy things cheaply. One has to be aggressive in life but in a creative manner. When in an English learning institute, one will find something amusing about lady preppies. They always carry lip-gloss around an armpit purse and a handbag rather than rag sacks. In addition, they like walking in groups wherever they are with their heads held up high and always looking flashy. There work is always organized and talk when it is necessary. On the other had the men like acting gently. They open the door for a lady and always put on ties and classy coats. Their shoes are highly polished and they like taking women on regular dates to classy restaurants. On an occasional day, they like tying sweaters on their necks and play a lot of golf (‘Pulling off a preppy style’ para. 2). These characteristics prove that being a preppy needs one to be ready to spend a lot and get the looks.
Teaching someone to be classy is not hard. It needs someone who is willing to spare extra cash to look fabulous. Under most occasions, those who cannot afford to buy the expensive clothes does not have to go to the expensive mall. One can opt to get the same item at a cheaper store as long as it is original. When someone goes for an imitation, it looks like he or she wanted to buy something classy but could not afford it (Bell, 2004). This is against the principle of preppies. It is better to look for things that are original at a cheaper price than go for fake things. In addition, prep attitude is based on creating a real smile 24/7. If this is impossible to those who do not have original smiles, then they can use grins to show their meticulous attitude. If such trends are followed then many people can be preppies irrespective of their status quo.
Bibliography
Banks, J, Chapelle, D, & Pulitzer, L., 2011. Preppy: Cultivating Ivy Style, Rizzoli New York, U.S.A.
Bell, A., 2004. Fearless Fashion. Montreal, Philadelphia, PA: Lobster Press
Birnbach, L., 1980. The Official Preppy Handbook, Workman Publishing, New York.
Bryman, A., 2004. Social Research Methods, 2nd Ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Pulling off a preppy style (n.d.), [online] Available at :< http://talem.hubpages.com/hub/Pulling-Off-A-Preppy-Style> [Accessed 26 March 2013]
Ritchie, C., 2013. Stylemaker | Elizabeth Betts Melds Preppy With Hippy.[online] Available at: <http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20130309/FEATURES04/303090023/fashion-style?nclick_check=1> [Accessed 25 March 2013]
