Editing Preppy (section)

== Definition ==

The term ''preppy'' derives from the private [[college-preparatory school]]s that some [[American upper class]] and [[upper middle class]] children attend.<ref name=FashionEncyclopedia>{{cite encyclopedia |url= http://www.fashionencyclopedia.com/fashion_costume_culture/Modern-World-1946-1960/Preppy-Look.html |title= Preppy Look| encyclopedia= Fashion Encyclopedia | access-date= 19 December 2016}}</ref> The term ''preppy'' is commonly associated with the [[Ivy League]] and broader group of [[Colonial Colleges|oldest universities in the Northeast]] as well as the prep schools which brought students to them,<ref name= Hogan>{{cite web |url= http://www.mensflair.com/style-advice/the-roots-of-american-preppy.php| first= Chris| last= Hogan| title=  The Roots of American Preppy| website= MensFlair.com| publisher= Men's Flair | access-date= 19 December 2016}}</ref> since traditionally a primary goal in attending a prep school was admittance into one of these institutions.<ref name= FashionEncyclopedia /> Preppy fashion derives from the fashions of these old Northeastern schools in the early to mid-twentieth century.

Lisa Birnbach's 1980 book ''[[The Official Preppy Handbook]]'' was written to poke fun at the rich lives of privileged Ivy League and socially elite liberal arts college students. It portrays the preppy social group as well-connected, and although exclusive, courteous to other social groups without fostering serious relationships with them. Being educated and well-connected is associated with an upper-class [[socioeconomic status]] that emphasizes [[higher education]] and high-income professional success.<ref name= Hogan />