The Playful Prep Forecast for SS25
- Amirtha Gandhi
- Nov 25, 2023
- 2 min read
Say goodbye to stiff collars and serious silhouettes—Spring/Summer 2025 is here to remind us that fashion can be fun, flirty, and full of personality. Get ready for Playful Prep: where classic collegiate vibes meet a new-gen twist of irony, chaos, and color.
Not Your Grandma’s Preppy
The prep aesthetic is having a full-blown remix. Think Gossip Girl meets art school dropout energy. It’s about blending the expected (pleated skirts, varsity stripes) with the cheeky (bold color pops, oversized bows, and mismatched layering). The vibe? Unhinged but polished. We’re not here for uniformity—we’re here for expression.
Crayola Cool: The Color Palette
This season’s color story is basically what happens when a box of crayons spills on a prep school blazer. Juicy shades like teachers pet, varsity blue, and No.2 dance with chalky neutrals, creating the perfect tension between grown-up and goofy.
The palette is energetic, rebellious, and a little nostalgic—like your childhood wardrobe got a glow-up.
Silhouettes That Swing Both Ways
Prep has always flirted with structure—but SS25 loosens things up. Picture cardigan jackets, slouchy sweaters, and baggy trousers. And yes, the return of the skort!
Everything is crisp yet chaotic, tailored but teasing. These shapes give freedom to move, play, and break a sweat—fashionably.
Details That Wink
It's all in the details. This season leans into:
Oversized embellishments (think mega buttons, jumbo bows)
Clashing prints (stripes vs. plaids? Do it.)
Layered collars, tipped edges, and playful trims that scream, “Look at me!” but in a witty way.
Accessories? Think chunky headbands, aviator glasses, and neckties that looks like summer camp crafts in the best way.
Fabrics That Flex
Forget stiff suiting. We’re talking breathable pile knits, rib knits, and textured tweed—materials that know how to bounce, stretch, and swish. Whether it’s a rugby shirt or a two-tone twinset, these fabrics are made for motion and mischief.
And don’t sleep on mesh—athleisure-adjacent layering is having a moment.
Why It’s Hitting Now
Gen Z and Gen Alpha are redefining what it means to "look put together." Playful Prep is a response to fashion fatigue—a rebellion against beige normcore and aggressive minimalism. It’s preppy with a wink. Proper with a prank. In short: it’s serious fashion that doesn’t take itself too seriously. So, whether you’re a designer, a buyer, or just here for the vibes, Playful Prep is your invitation to color outside the lines this spring/summer. Go bold. Go bratty. Go prep-school-core with a punch.
