The Preppy Edit
The style that never leaves
The navy blazer, the striped shirt, the club tie and the loafer have always been the backbone of a good wardrobe. This year they’re back at the centre of smart casual style. The 2026 version on the streets now is looser, easier and far less concerned with rules.
The navy blazer: For her
Every preppy wardrobe begins with a navy blazer. It is the most versatile jacket you can own. It’s sharp enough for a meeting, easy enough for a weekend, and it works with almost everything else you have.
A navy blazer is also where custom made pays off most. You’ll wear it more than any other jacket, so the fit across the shoulders, the length of the sleeve and the cloth all matter. Choose a wool-cashmere for softness, or a hopsack or flannel for texture.
For her, it becomes the cashmere Holland and Sherry doeskin blazer worn with a crisp stripe shirt and indigo jeans.
The navy blazer: For him
For him, keep the cut relaxed. A softer shoulder and a little room through the body suit this season’s easier proportions, and they let the blazer move from shirt and tie to a fine knit without looking out of place.
Accessorise like you mean it
Prep is in the details, and this season the details have personality.
Striped shirts. A bengal or university stripe in blue or white is the classic. Worn under a navy blazer, it adds energy without noise.
Stripe ties. The diagonal repp stripe is the most recognisable tie in the preppy wardrobe. Wear it with a plain shirt to let it lead, or with a fine stripe for a more confident clash.
Scarves and neckerchiefs. A silk neckerchief, knotted loosely, does for her what a tie does for him. It adds colour and polish in a single touch.
Loafers. Penny loafers in brown or black are the finishing point. They’re smart enough for a blazer and relaxed enough for denim, and they ground every look on this page.
How to wear the preppy edit
Start with navy. Choose a blazer or a long coat in navy for both of you, and build everything around it.
Add one stripe. It can be a striped shirt, a stripe tie or a striped scarf. One is a statement, two is a confident clash, and three is too many.
Then break one rule. Add a cap with a blazer, a tie with a skirt, or denim with a long tailored coat. The modern preppy look is polished, but it never looks as if it’s trying too hard.
Finish with loafers. They’ll take you from the office to a long weekend.
Every piece in our Autumn and Winter Journals is custom made, cut to your measurements in cloth from mills including Carnet, Delfino, Drago, Holland & Sherry, Subalpino and Zegna. Book an appointment and your tailor will help you build a navy blazer, and a wardrobe around it, that’s entirely your own.
