TikToker Struggles to Explain How Gen Alpha Has Redefined What "Preppy" Means

Don't pull out the boat footwear or button-downs in case you are trying to fit Gen Alpha's definition of "preppy.

May 9 2024, Published 5:18 p.m. ET

For anyone whose grade school days are long behind them, the ideal preppy look probably consists of boat shoes, collared button-ups, pastel cardigans, and headbands. The style was popularized by those imitating the looks of wealthy country club-goers and people with boats and was a staple look that kept stores like J Crew in business.

While previous fashion trends are quickly circling back around (look at Y2K, for instance), preppy is coming back with a whole new meaning. Gen Alpha kids are already telling their parents how they're trying to dress preppy, but put that button-down and chunky necklace from your younger years back in your closet, because this generation's definition looks a lot different. Let's break down Gen Alpha's new meaning for "preppy."

"Preppy" has a whole new meaning to Gen Alpha kids.

TikTok user Vice Spice (@daiisjah) explains the gap between the generations' definitions pretty well in a video, and it seems that Gen Alpha's "preppy" has moved away from the traditional academia vibe. In Vice Spice's video, she details a conversation with her younger niece, who tried to explain the trend to her.

"[My niece] would pass and grasp an outfit to turn us an instance of what preppy is and it might be like jeans and a sweatshirt," she explained. "And I might say 'OK, are you going to wear like a collared blouse beneath that? I used to try this,' to which I might get any other, 'What?'"

But even after asking for more clarification, the confusion continues.

"And then she would display us another outfit and it could be like yoga pants and a rather cropped t-shirt with a hoodie over it. Which again, in my thoughts, I'm like 'Where's the prep coming in?'" Vice Spice continued. She clarified that none of these clothing items consist of branded shirts or hoodies, like the Aeropostale and Abercrombie hayday. Instead, they're plain graphic t-shirts, often depicting bands or cartoon characters.

It takes some searching, but it seems that Gen Alpha now considered "preppy" to consist of bright-colored pieces while still prioritizing comfort.

"Basically, to Gen Alpha, preppy now approach like brilliant colors, a laugh silhouettes, just typically amusing outfits," Vice Spice continued.

The comments on her post are filled with people wondering if the kids are just mispronouncing "peppy."

"Now preppy is like bright California informal. Looks extra surfer lady to me?! Definitely athletic throughline," one commenter said, with Vice Spice chiming in "Miley Stewart core."

Others have called it "fashionable normcore," "Disney Channel clothes," and "a prettier word for BASIC."

"I started dressing like a live-action caricature character... but now it's regarded as preppy, which has completely other connotations to Gen Z and older," Vice Spice concluded. "It's also like cool, I'm satisfied you guys like our taste and the whole lot, it is simply a little weird that you guys needed to rename it with such a loaded label."

If you have a Gen Alpha in your life who says they want to dress "preppy," avoid the standard contenders and glance instead for fun colors and comfort.

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