Prippie Drip

Ten outfits for conscientious objectors, formal dressers in Beanworld, Whole Earthers, and forward-thinkers.

Nov 16, 2024

∙ Paid

Hi! If you read my prippie prospectus last week, you might have an idea as to where this classic, shoppable post is going—I’ve created ten paradigm-defining prippie fits in accordance with my conception of the style’s idiosyncrasies. In doing so, I’ve learned a lot, including what to add to the list I’d laid out of garments, features, and motifs that define “prippie” to me (new additions in bold):

Colored tights
Crochet
Missoni zig-zag
Madras print
Ponchos
Scarves
Patterned blazers
Paisley
Long hair
Knit dresses
Patchwork
Skullcaps
Popped collars
Navy blue
Stripes
Chunky beaded necklaces
Suede
Rolled-brim caps
Brocade
Corduroy
Chambray
Fringe
Shells
Loafers
Clogs
Espadrilles
Quilting
Fair Isle
Fisherman sandals
Nautical gear
Bowling gear
Thomas Pynchon

Contributing to my trove of prippie references, my beloved friend Jay shared a photo album full of behind-the-scenes snaps of the creators and community surrounding the Whole Earth Catalog, a DIY/counterculture magazine for nerdy weirdos [affectionate] that ran from the 60s until the 90s—we text jinxed, both sending each other the same photo at the exact same time as exemplary of prippie:

The essence of “no phones in sight, just vibes.” No outfit in this pic is particularly prippie, though the white cult-y muumuu and the weird clashing double-red fit are both in the wheelhouse, but the pure energy this photo exudes is exactly right. No one in their right mind would call this “boho,” but it’s certainly plonked down precisely at the intersection of preppy and hippie. Check out the full album for more extremely blessed prippie vibrations.

Another beloved friend, AJ (coincidentally these two friends are partners in life and in being the individuals in this world who most perfectly grasp all my most harebrained ideas near-instantly), said that some of the below outfits give off the energy of “formalwear in Beanworld,” referring to the 80s-90s comic series Tales of the Beanworld, which I had not encountered until this advisory. It features off-kilter, incomprehensible creatures called Beans, complete with their own elaborate biologies and cultures that I have yet to fully investigate, though I plan to put in some grinding time on the Beanworld wiki. I think, just by looking at a few panels, that I understand what Adrian was getting at with his comment:

This comic provides us with the all-important reminder to do more drugs while we’re still alive to do ‘em. I also think “sprout-butt” might be an important term of endearment to me now. Anyway, what I think the prippie undertones are here involve the obvious nerdy obsessiveness of this world-building paired with sheer psychedelic abandoning of inhibitions—simultaneously geeky and crunchy, with a dash of countercultural deviousness for good measure.

With all that in mind, let’s get on to the outfits, most of which are populated by vintage pieces and vibes that can easily be replicated with thrifted finds or an intrepid DIY spirit, both of which are totally aligned with the prippie ethos.

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You may remember the most fashionable dude of all time from last week’s post:

Well, I couldn’t find a brocade jacket with metal discs that matched the sheer majesty of his—anyone else have any luck? Other than that, it was quite straightforward to put together a look that captures the same flavor of Italian prip: I love the saturated cerulean shirt under the shiny, warm jacket, tied into the shirt but also punctuated abruptly by the black leather tie. The cords felt right, though it seems Mr. Man’s pants are some kind of sateen stripe situation—dare I say the cords make more sense? The only rub is that they must be long enough to drape over the dusty blue sneakers festooned with crimson laces.

When I finished the below look, I instantly said to myself, “Willa Bennett [brilliant EIC of Cosmo and Seventeen magazines] should wear this.” No one does a jacket and tie quite like her, and something about the crunchy, academic vibes of this half-crocheted uniform feels like it underscores her pragmatic, modest personal style.

I love the below madras print jacket so much—it’d look amazing with clashing plaid bottoms as well as this fringey suede situation. The suede continues in the shoe situation—I’ve always found it interesting that the Birkenstock construction doesn’t seem to be patented. I like Arizona Love’s espadrille-soled take on them, too, but most important to me are the bandana-bead adornments tied onto the straps—I plan on DIYing this with my old Birks and writing more in the future about how shoe charms are gonna be the next bag charms—

Emily Kirkpatrick

has written a ton about bagmaxxing, so I’m ccing her here in case my shoe charm spidey senses turn out to bear fruit in the near future.

Esque

Prippie Drip

Ten outfits for conscientious objectors, formal dressers in Beanworld, Whole Earthers, and forward-thinkers.

If you cannot afford the $5/month, I totally understand—respond to any of my email sends and I will get you a $2 subscription or comp you, whatever you need. Esque is for everyone!

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