How to Use preppy in a Sentence

preppy

1 of 2 noun
  • Ben went the preppy route in a brown button-down paired with simple black pants and a belt.
    — Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 Aug. 2021
  • These have a sporty-preppy appearance that goes with most outfits.
    — Sian Babish, chicagotribune.com, 8 Oct. 2020
  • Cargoes hit an improbable sweet spot of preppy, punk, and skater culture.
    — Gilad Edelman, Wired, 18 Aug. 2021
  • At the photo call for the film today, Stewart went more preppy in a red Chanel tweed two-piece set.
    — Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 25 May 2022
  • Yang in his preppy overcoat and button-down, surrounded by a diverse crowd of scraggly haired cool kids.
    — Washington Post, 1 June 2021
  • Just ask Olivia Rodrigo, who has made the skirt suit her preppy, punky signature.
    — Steff Yotka, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2021
  • But Tommy Hilfiger was breaking preppy norms all the way back in the ’90s.
    — Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2022
  • Between the oh-so-flattering silhouette, the preppy pleats, and red and blue piping along the hem, this flirty number is bound to be a hit.
    — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 24 Nov. 2022
  • On one side, a large audience pressed around a group of preppy-looking young men wearing plaid shirts, windbreakers, khakis, and sunglasses.
    — Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2021
  • The top-of-the-line kids’ wear that Maisonette sells has tended to tip towards an air of elegance and preppy cool—and would often come with a price tag to match.
    — Janelle Randazza, USA TODAY, 25 June 2021
  • She's also been sporting some relaxed preppy ’fits that nonetheless suit the high-tone vibe associated with the sport.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024
  • Celebrity spectators are known to dress to the nines for the games, bringing forward their most polished—and preppy—ensembles for the occasion.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 22 June 2022
  • On Tuesday, the model was snapped walking the streets of New York City in a look that was a dash preppy, a bit grunge, and a whole lot of cool.
    — Barry Samaha, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Oct. 2020
  • These masks, which come in black and two different preppy patterns, are made of 100% cotton and recycled materials.
    — Elizabeth Wallace, CNN Underscored, 25 June 2020
  • These masks, which come in black and two different preppy patterns, are made of 100% cotton and recycled materials.
    — Elizabeth Wallace, CNN Underscored, 5 Nov. 2020
  • What was more important to the Abercrombie essence is that by the late ’90s, the preppy-as-icon had become a signifier of the one percent.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Apr. 2022
  • But the preppy as signifier, as advertising icon, as the image of who everyone wanted to be didn’t come to the fore until the 1980s.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Apr. 2022
  • The actress curated a selection of her favorite picks in all categories from the brand and walked into the fete in a look that gave a nod to both preppy '90s fashion and motocross-meets-rocker style.
    — Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Dec. 2022
  • Channeling an on-trend preppy heritage look but with the comforting familiarity of traditional decorating styles, dark leather decor truly has it all.
    — Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2023
  • The frock featured white dress shirt cuffs and a sharp, contrasting collar with a black tie that mimicked the preppy Nevermore Academy uniform, and the whole look was cinched together with a metal corset belt.
    — Hannah Oh, Seventeen, 19 Dec. 2022
  • This Carlton is completely unlike the preppy, uptight, Tom Jones-loving, jitterbugging snob of yesteryear.
    — Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 14 Feb. 2022
  • There is a honeymoon couple played by Alexandra Daddario and Jake Lacy, who is unnervingly good as a spoiled preppy whose masculinity is threatened when they’re put in the wrong suite.
    — BostonGlobe.com, 9 July 2021
  • The 2022 Grace Wales Bonner Sambas have the brand's signature vintage-preppy spin with sleek tones, contrast stitching, and satin lining.
    — Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Dec. 2022
  • This South Florida destination has an undeniable preppy glam aesthetic.
    — Alexis Bennett, Vogue, 16 June 2022
  • The historic Maine property recently underwent a complete gut renovation to turn the outdated accommodations into a true preppy maximalist dream.
    — Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 1 Sep. 2021

preppy

2 of 2 adjective
  • Pair with a crisp white button down and loafers for a preppy vibe.
    — Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 1 Dec. 2022
  • My overall mood board was preppy jock.
    — Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Pair these with a navy blue blazer and boat shoes for a preppy look.
    — Larry Stansbury, Essence, 11 Apr. 2024
  • Wear it with block heels and a sweater draped over your shoulders for a preppy look.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The top adds a preppy touch that looks relaxed yet buttoned up.
    — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Nothing screams preppy fall like a chic pair of riding boots.
    — Erika Reals Published, Peoplemag, 28 Oct. 2022
  • These were not preppy tourist kids but townies with townie buzz cuts.
    — Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
  • No matter the length, the once-edgy print has gotten the preppy spin.
    — India Roby, InStyle, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Coastal grandmother style is beachy and preppy, but laid back.
    — Vivi Smilgius, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2023
  • Reach for the classic preppy combo of a striped shirt and white pants—with a twist.
    — Tatiana Ojea, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2026
  • What used to read as purely preppy now feels more wearable for day-to-day.
    — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 14 Apr. 2026
  • The logo patch gives it a preppy touch, but the cropped fit and ribbed sleeves are ready for sport mode.
    — Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 6 Oct. 2022
  • The style—which favors white, navy, red and green—is neat, preppy and very leggy.
    — Rebecca Malinsky, WSJ, 8 July 2022
  • The preppy trend is far from over, so lean into it with this academic look.
    — India Roby, Glamour, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Pair these preppy zip-ups with a skirt and tights for a cute winter ensemble.
    — Olivia Dubyak, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026
  • For a classic look on the court, this tennis dress brings the preppy power.
    — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 29 July 2022
  • Interested in this trend, but your style leans a bit more edgy than preppy?
    — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
  • This preppy matching skort set is equal parts cute and comfy.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026
  • Pepper, who is fifty-one, looked boyish and preppy in a polo shirt.
    — Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, 6 Aug. 2022
  • Throw on a button-down for a preppy outfit, or pair it with a T-shirt.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
  • The top is complete with a pinstripe pattern for fun, preppy flair.
    — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
  • Even luckier, a well-rounded preppy wardrobe doesn’t have to break the bank.
    — Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Even luckier, a well-rounded preppy wardrobe doesn’t have to break the bank.
    — Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The loose, wide-leg jeans balance out the preppy top while the jacket adds a nice pop of color.
    — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Take a page out of Oprah’s book and add a preppy polo sweater to your wardrobe this winter.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Throw them over a slinky tank top or preppy polo, or wear them with a silky midi skirt and over-the-knee boots.
    — Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2023
  • Navy and tortoiseshell make for the perfect preppy mix.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Boat shoes have been around for decades, and they’re beloved for their preppy look and impressive comfort.
    — Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Styled in true preppy fashion, this sweater can be draped over the shoulder or tied around the neck when not worn over the body.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 17 Nov. 2025
  • This design has a collar and soft V-neckline that give it a preppy touch.
    — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 28 June 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preppy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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