Be a Preppy Teenage Girl
Being a preppy girl isn't hard. There are three things you really need to master: the attitude, the look, and the planning. That's it! So even if you aren't playing polo at Princeton or a totally preppy girl wearing a popped collar, you can still walk the walk and talk the talk. Here's how to pull it off effortlessly but still be yourself!
Contents
Steps
Personal attributes and character:
- Talk like a prep. Be pleasant and keep a sincere, interested smile on your face whether listening or speaking (not a pasted on grin). Preppy girls don't cuss; develop your college-bound level of vocabulary. Be taken rather seriously but not way too seriously, still know how to have serious fun. Practice good etiquette, being mannerly: be very mild-mannered and good natured.
- Be reasonable, polite and thoughtful. Be kind and helpful to others around you by doing simple things such as: helping an elderly neighbor with yard work, asking someone how their day was, and any other simple act of kindness. It is amazing how much a simple act of kindness can affect a person -- and change your own outlook...
- Be a good friend. Always be talking to a friend. Switch the friends you are talking to so one friend does not get annoyed with you. Get a boyfriend. If you are not allowed to have a boyfriend don't worry about it, because it is not essential to being preppy. Preppy people are supposed to seem innocent, so do not ever throw a fit in public. Don't spread rumors about others. Spreading rumors about others can hurt their feelings and that is not what preps do. Socialize and build friendships. Have sleepovers often. Don't forget to bring a blanket or sleeping bag if you are going to someone else's house. Chances are that if you host sleepovers and invite your friends, then they will invite you when they have sleepovers.
- Respect your parents, and other elders. Family is important. Don't give your parents attitude because they did not get you the new brand name jacket then stomp off to your room, no prep really does things like that (its just a stereotype). Offer to tutor or babysit younger children. You should be doing this for free not for money, but if they offer money just kindly take it and say thank you. Have the best birthday parties you can afford to give and invite friends and family. If all you can afford is a cake and some games to play then that is okay, the important part is that you made it the best you could.
- Get a good education. Good grades in school are essential. This means if you get bad grades you should study more and ask your teachers for extra credit. If you already have good grades then just do everything you can to keep them up. You may consider getting a tutor for yourself if your parents are at work when you get home.
- Be moderately sporty. Play sports like volleyball and cheerleading. Although many preppy girls play volleyball and participate in cheerleading you can still do other sports such as cross-country or basketball (gymnastics is a great choice as well) or horseback riding. Tennis, golf or sailing (or rowing) with the styles of skirts, shorts and shoes that go with them are all possibilities, if appropriate.
- Live your preppy lifestyle as a realistic, knowing prep -- not a pretender that cons people. Make your own version of "it's the good life", serious fun, thoroughly living your life in all its aspects.
Look the part:
- Dress for the part: Buy the clothes. Preppy girls like to wear things like dresses or a cute top with a skirt and leggings. Examples of preppy attire include simple, graceful styles, sweaters, skirts that never go out of style and dresses with a timeless, classic look that is moderate and trim. Preppy clothes have smart lines, and feature upscale, fitted tailoring. Selected clothes at department stores may seem just as high in quality as Abercrombie&Fitch, Hollister, American Eagle, Gap, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. Also, look at Old Navy and Target (and check some thrift stores which may have lots of quality at low prices), etc.
- Accessorize. Always keep a cute handbag with you that includes all of you essentials. Essentials may include: cellphone, comb, make-up, pads, etc. Wear jewelry, cute headbands, or just colorful bobby pins. People really do pay attention to your accessories.
- Fix your nails. Cut, file, and paint your fingernails. French Tips are an excellent idea for a nice preppy look. Don't bite your nails; it is nasty and can ruin your nails if it is done for a prolonged time.
- Style your hair. Cute preppy hairstyles include things like: French braids, beach waves, or just a simple ponytail with two strands of braided hair pinned back with a bobby pin. Trim your hair every couple of weeks. It is best if you go see a stylist to trim your hair rather than cutting it yourself, but it is your choice.
- Deep condition your hair at least once a week, rather than your quick shampoo and conditioner. Soft hair is a must for preppy girls, ask your hair stylist what kind of deep conditioning you should use for your hair.
- Care for your face. Wash your face at least twice a day. Talk to your dermatologist to find out what kinds of products would be best for you. Don't let acne get a start; go to an expert on teen facial care or a doctor immediately, if it becomes problematic!
- Don't forget to moisturize every day. Moisturizing will help prevent your face from getting dry.
- Occasionally treat yourself to a spa day and apply a facial mask. Preppy girls like going to a spa to get a facial, but it is okay, if you can't afford it. Instead, you can just make one yourself and apply it yourself. The spa day can take place at your house, at a friends house, or even at an actual spa (if you can afford it).
~ Get your eyebrows waxed. It is better if you get your eyebrows at an actual spa, but if you have a friend that works at a spa then you could ask them to help you wax your eyebrows by yourself (which is not recommended). - Shave and exfoliate. Exfoliate peach fuzz on your entire body at least twice a week. Exfoliating your body will get rid of dry skin and rough skin leaving your body smooth. Also, remember to apply lotion after exfoliating. Carefully shave your legs with cream or gel, including armpits as needed. Shaving is another way to make your skin soft (see tips).
- Brush your teeth thoroughly, twice a day, for about two minutes, and floss once a day (with regular string floss or the flossing products where the string is attached to small plastic handles). Use the back end of your toothbrush to gently scrub your tongue, roof of your mouth, and cheeks.
- A mixture of baking soda and peroxide can whiten your teeth. Get your teeth whitened on occasion. Even if you do the whitening at home an occasional teeth whitening will really bring attention to your smile (see warnings).
- Make sure to use a classic kind of perfume and freshening deodorant. Choose a scent that you will enjoy and isn't too harsh.
- Keep make-up slight and subtle, such as gold eyeshadow, brown mascara, and a light pink or clear lip-gloss. Minimum foundation and lightly powdered look is okay to use, but only if it is needed.
- Use concealer to blend out pimples. Remember that using concealer only covers pimples but does not removes them. Also, concealer can irritate a pimple and cause it to enlarge or become more red when the concealer is removed (see tips).
Make big plans:
- Plan, whether it is to go to a university or to jump straight into work you need to make a plan. Know what you will do with your future life. If what you want to do in your future is work at a fast food restaurant you may or may not go to college. But if you plan on being a professional such as an attorney, you have to go to college -- and many professions require a graduate degree beyond the associate (two years) or bachelors (four years).
Satisfied and trim appetite
- Keep your diet rather light and balanced, and eat salads.
- Drink water! You should drink water instead of sweet drinks. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Don't drink too much soda, because it rots your teeth. Eat healthy. In other words, only eat junk food in moderation, and try foods like fruit and salad.
Salad Days
- Eat salad. Avoid starchy and sugary treats.
- Select your salad ingredients, such as:
- Lettuce
- Cheese
- Tomatoes
- Radishes
- Croutons
- Olives
- Little bits of ham
- Bacon bits
- Salad dressing (on the side)
- Prepare the salad goodies. Slice, shred, chop or dice your ingredients as you like them. Add your other desired ingredients (nuts, red cabbage, broccoli,... ). Toss (mix) the ingredients. Put some of the more colorful ingredients on top.
Tips
- Keeping skin clean includes removing make-up before going to bed at night.
- Don't ever lose track of who you are.
- Don't be a pretender/people will catch on: Always try to improve, but never act out of character of who you are to impress others. Except on stage, if you perform a talent...
- Remember you are perfect just the way you are, don't fall into the trap of eating disorders because even after you recover the eating disorder follows you forever.
- Follow your dreams!
- Being preppy means not using slang, or cursing.
- Don't forget to keep you diet balanced.
- Pink is a great preppy color, but it is not a requirement to being preppy.
- Don't shave without using shaving cream or you can hurt yourself.
- Some preppy girls wear sweats, but they should not ever be worn on a regular basis.
- Singing, voice and piano lesson are great ideas for a preppy activity.
- If a preppy you wants to be friends with you, great! It ups your preppy bar.
- Always stay true to yourself because that is the most important thing to remember. Being preppy isn't about being fake and if you are fake you won't feel right and people won't want to be around you.
Warnings
- Teeth whitening can make your teeth sensitive, so consult your dentist before using any teeth whitening products.
- If whitening teeth be careful not to swallow the mixture used to whiten your teeth.
Things You'll Need
- sweaters
- skirts
- dresses
- accessories
- cute handbag w/essentials
- fingernail clippers
- fingernail file
- fingernail polish
- fingernail polish remover
- facial cleanser
- moisturizer/lotion
- shampoo
- conditioner
- deep conditioning
- spa/facial mask/eyebrow wax
- defoliator
- shaving cream/razor
- toothbrush
- toothpaste
- floss
- mouthwash
- teeth whitening product
- perfume
- deodorant
- lip gloss
- foundation
- concealer
- blanket/pillow (for sleepovers)
- written plan
- fruit
- salad
- water
Related Articles
- Work at a Nail Salon
- Be the Perfect Preppy Princess (for Teen Girls)
- Be a Preppy Teen Guy
- Prep for a Dance
- Find Your Style and Personality (for Girls)
Sources and Citations
- www.flickr.com
