Long before Ralph, Tommy, and Tory dabbled in country club-chic, brands all along the Eastern seaboard pioneered—and perfected—distinctive preppy styles. In honor of summer’s arrival—and with it, many picturesque clambakes, tennis matches, and polo games—we pay homage to iconic blue-blood brands. So before you board the puddle-jumper or pour yourself a T&T, take cues from this short-list when planning your preppy summer wardrobe:
Lilly Pulitzer
Jackie Kennedy—the patron saint of all-American style—was one of the first lady-like tastemakers to sport Lilly Pulitzer’s distinctive, patterned frocks. (The former First Lady and the designer were class-mates at the Chapin school in Manhattan’s Upper East Side.) Since the Palm Beach-based label’s inception in the late ‘60s, many of Jackie O’s fans (and really, who isn’t one!?!) have followed suit.
Stubbs & Wootton
A favorite all along the Eastern Seaboard from Palm Beach (where the label got its start) to Newport, Stubbs & Wootton slip-ons are a staple of upper-crust attire.
Emilio Pucci
A favorite of the pearl-wearing set, Pucci’s swirling prints have been hostess-attire since the 1960s, when hostess-with-the-mostesses like C.Z.Guest and Babe Paley began sporting the Italian house’s signature frocks.
Vera Bradley
Vera Bradley’s quilted duffel bags are a frequent fixture on Nantucket ferries, Palm Beach puddle-jumpers, and Newport sidewalks. Fortunately for us, these cheery satchels–priced between $50 and $150–don’t require trust funds to purchase.
Sperry Topsider

Whether on or off the water, the yachting crowd often opts for the sweet, starboard-ready boat shoes from Sperry Topsider.
CK Bradley
Founded in 1999 by young Manhattanite Camilla Bradley (then a student at the prestigious Trinity school) CK Bradley features a candy-colored assortment of cheekily-printed belts, headbands, and more Blair Waldorf-worthy accessories.
David Yurman
Those that think of “summer” as a verb prefer the sophisticated, yet simple designs of David Yurman. The jeweler’s signature twist and buckle-accented baubles complement both private school wardrobes and doyenne dress.
Kenneth Jay Lane

Coral pendants, colorful enamel, and charming aquatic animals are key motifs in Kenneth Jay Lane’s cheap’n'chic baubles. (Because the diamond tennis bracelet can be so gauche to wear non-stop in the summer.)
L.L.Bean
A must-have from Cape Cod shores to South Hampton greens, monogram-ready totes from Maine’s L.L.Bean label appeal to those whose surname comes with stately roman numerals.
Vineyard Vines

Founded by former investment bankers, brothers Shep & Ian Murray, Vineyard Vines takes its name and aesthetic inspiration—think seersucker shorts, patchwork skirts, and ribbon belts—from the tony vacation hot-spot, Martha’s Vineyard.














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Taylor | 28-May-08 at 5:35 am | Permalink
Here is a preppy company you left off!
www.tuckerblair.com, needlepointed belts, nothing preppier than that!
Buy Vera Bradley | 28-May-08 at 9:39 am | Permalink
I think the Vera Bradley company may be trying to shed their preppy image. I have heard that one of the new styles for fall this year has a goth look to it - it’s red with cross symbols. I guess we will have to wait and see…
looza | 28-May-08 at 4:57 pm | Permalink
Tretorns…
rollergirl | 30-May-08 at 10:54 am | Permalink
MMM, wish they sold LL Beans in London.
monasia wade | 03-Jun-08 at 8:34 am | Permalink
to who it may concern::
i luv ur clothin
mimi | 03-Jun-08 at 4:06 pm | Permalink
U HAVE GOT TO CHECK IT OUT LITTERALY IT REALLY IS LUXURIOUS LOL:)!!!!!!!!!!
www.auxpiedsde.com | 08-Jun-08 at 3:13 pm | Permalink
Loving Lilly!
Samantha Weaver | 12-Aug-08 at 12:54 pm | Permalink
Toss Designs has some great new products that we know your viewers will enjoy! If you are interested in featuring our products on your blog we would love to offer your reader’s a 20% discount on certain products for the month of august. The bags we will be promoting are the Ibiza weekender, Marina dot, Coronado rolling duffel, and our Palm Beach collection. We will also be offering 20% off on all rain boots as well as 50% of on the Balboa collection garment bag. Please check out our website at www.tossdesigns.com. If you are interested please e-mail me back and I can send you hi-res pictures to use as well as our promotion codes.
Best,
Samantha