The Trend That Simply Won't Die: Here's the 2022 Way to Wear It

As part of a school uniform, I grew up wearing preppy clothes and have to admit that I always wanted to rebel against them a bit. The polo shirts felt too monotonous, and the khaki pants didn’t fit into my idea of fashion at the time. The skirts seemed too long, and I always thought they could use a handy tailor.

With all of that in mind, I tried to say goodbye to preppy fashion after I left high school but realized it’s very much ingrained in my style DNA somewhere. Crisp, oversize button-down shirts, second-skin knitted polo tops, and relaxed khaki trousers are some of my core wardrobe staples to this day, but now that I have a little more control about the fit and the styling, they feel a bit more me.

I think my proclivity for a modern take on preppy fashion is what makes me excited to see the trend make a major statement on the S/S 22 runways. This time around, though, designers were embracing the rule-breakers who would dare to break the mold and wear their skirts shorter than dress code standard—and I’m very here for it. Ahead, see how the preppy fashion trend is being reimagined for 2022 and how fashion insiders are wearing it now.

On the Spring/Summer 2022 Runways

No doubt it, there's a major preppy rebrand happening that we've dubbed "academic underachievers" and "twisted academia." Cable sweaters without pants, skirts slashed to micro lengths, gothic twists on a school uniform—they're all here.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Lacoste)

Lacoste is making a case for the collegiate sweater to make a comeback—with or without pants.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Botter)

New proportions make a rugby top feel instantly cool. Go for a loose-fitting version as spotted on the Botter runway. Bonus points for snapping up this cropped style.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Miu Miu)

Perhaps no show made more of a statement than Miu Miu, whose take on preppy fashion included barely there skirts and sweaters.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Raf Simons)

Raf Simons gave preppy fashion an edgy twist with oversize button-downs, bicep bracelets, and gothic-inspired beauty looks.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Y/Project)

Ribbed socks and heels are about to be everywhere—mark my words.

On the Fashion Set

Fashion people have been hot on the preppy trend for some time now. Last year, tennis skirts and sweater-vests became key buys, but it turns out it doesn't stop there. The trend is only kicking up, so get ready to see even more cool ways of styling it.

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(Image credit: @camillecharriere)

If you own a polo top, you'll want to style it under a matching pantsuit like this. I especially love the nod to '70s fashion with the choice of a velvet set and tinted aviators.

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(Image credit: @champagnemani)

The shoes-and-socks pairing that will actually never get old.

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(Image credit: @deborabrosa)

A fresh way to wear those oversize button-downs you collected over the summer.

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(Image credit: @lefevrediary)

Need another way to style a sweater-vest? Here you go.

Shop More Preppy Fashion Finds

Next, I Always Shop This Denim Brand at Nordstrom—These 10 Pairs Are Worth Your Money

Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.