The Gossip Girl reboot leads the charge of the ’90s revival among Gen Z

From the highly anticipated Gossip Girl reboot to pop star Olivia Rodrigo’s sartorial choices, ’90s-style prep has returned in a big way

Its’s often said that fashion, by its very nature, is cyclical. In the past few years, several ’90s trends have made a comeback, including bike shorts and bodysuits. And now, it’s the turn of the preppy, school uniform-inspired aesthetic, which came into the mainstream thanks to shows such as Gossip Girl. With the reboot already underway, it comes as little surprise that Gen Z popstars such as Olivia Rodrigo are also putting their own tweaks to the trend (case in point being the suit she recently wore to the White House).

The basics

“The preppy aesthetic comprises crisp silhouettes and stiffer fabrics. Key pieces that you must own if you’re looking to sport this trend include flared pants, schoolgirl-style outfits that include button-down shirts and pleated skirts, plaid and knotted shirts, nautical rolled-neck sweaters, and co-ordinated blazer and mini-skirt sets,” explains fashion stylist Mitali Ambekar. While your wardrobe should include a good number of pieces in neutral colours, you can also include a few polka dots and pinstripes accents to liven up your looks.

Add interesting accessories

From Blair Waldorf’s headbands to Mary Janes, the right accessories can really elevate your preppy look, says Ambekar. Knee-high stockings, bows, beret caps, crossbody bags and chunky sneakers are cool additions to your outfit. Don’t overwhelm your look with too much jewellery — you can experiment with belts, pearls and vintage sunglasses to stay true to the era.

Classics with a streetwear twist

Although the preppy style is quite classic, it doesn’t mean you can’t add your own spin to it, says Khushnaz Turner, a fashion blogger. You can subvert the trend by wearing tweed in contemporary silhouettes. Turner suggests, “Play with the scale, size and colour of tweed to keep your look young. However, be mindful of balance — if you are wearing a sleeveless top, pair it with a knee-length or longer skirt. Conversely, shirts with full-length sleeves or structured blazers work well with mini-skirts. Layer with a vest to amplify the preppy effect.”

Combine and contrast

Start with at least one or two neutral pieces. Then, add a pop of colour for visual interest — this can either be a bold colour-blocked piece or a patterned element. Plaid and paisley designs work especially well with this aesthetic, advises fashion blogger Jannat Khan. Tunics, which are in heavy rotation on social media, thanks to Korean fashion, can add a more contemporary touch to your preppy outfit, she adds.

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