My Style | New York Prep

I had really poor judgement during my teenage years. Marissa Cooper was my favourite character on The O.C. (when, looking back, Summer was clearly superior), I thought Justin Timberlake in the Rock Your Body video was the hottest thing ever (white tracksuit anyone?), and Blair Waldorf was my literary icon (Gossip Girl started life as a young adult book series).

Whilst I’ve luckily come to my senses on all of the above – including my Blair-idolisation – I still love the preppy Constance Billard look Leighton Meester rocked in season one of Gossip Girl. And it was the first thing I thought of when I spotted this Polo Ralph Lauren blazer. In the spring I’ll likely wear it non-stop with white T-shirts and boyfriend jeans, but as there’s still a winter chill in the air I’m currently mixing it with a sensible rollnecks, pleated skirts and wool tights. I’d like to think this look would land me a date with Nate Archibald – the one teenage crush I never grew out of!

Blazer: Polo Ralph Lauren c/o | Top: Zara | Cardigan: By Malene Birger‎ (past season) | Skirt: Zara (similar here) | Tights: M&S (past season) | Boots: MICHAEL Michael Kors (past season – similar here) | Bag: Karen Millen

And what’s your verdict on this stripe-on-stripe print clash? I felt it was a fashion risk worth taking and quite liked the effect (as did Monica, who kindly snapped these pictures). It tied in nicely with the preppy vibe I had going on that day, but I doubt I’ll make a habit of double-duty patterns – I prefer a total contrast, like spots & stripes or camo & floral.

Are you still obsessed with the Constance Billard look? How would you style this Polo Ralph Lauren blazer?

Photos by Monica from The Elgin Avenue

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