Schoolgirl Energy Forever: The Timeless Appeal of Preppy

Preppy Forever: The Vintage Style That Keeps Coming Back

We recently launched our YouTube channel—and this is one of our very first videos. We're still learning as we go, but excited to share the pieces, moods, and inspirations behind our vintage universe 💕

In this video, we put together a look that blends vintage preppy with early Y2K—drawing inspiration from Clueless and the schoolgirl energy of Harajuku fashion. The outfit is made entirely from vintage finds in our shop, and it’s perfect for both daytime and nighttime vibes. Think sweet, polished, and a little nostalgic.

Note: The video is in Spanish, but you can turn on English subtitles via YouTube's settings.

A Look That’s More Than Just a Trend

Preppy fashion—made iconic by movies like Clueless, Mean Girls, The Princess Diaries, Legally Blonde, and Gossip Girl—has never really gone out of style. It’s structured, school-inspired, and timeless. Pleated skirts, oxford shirts, fitted knits, ballet flats, headbands… these elements come back again and again in fashion cycles.

Before the full Y2K explosion, this look defined teen cool: think coordinated outfits, cable-knit sweaters, and “I-just-left-my-private-school” energy—even if you never wore a uniform.

A Global Aesthetic, Many Origins

Japanese fashion has always been one of our biggest passions and sources of inspiration—and the schoolgirl style is a great example of its layered, cultural richness.

In Japan, school uniforms aren’t just a fashion statement—they're everyday wear. Most students are required to wear them, and over time, they’ve become a strong cultural symbol. Teenagers personalize them with accessories, oversized cardigans, or pins, blending regulation with personality.

At the same time, there's a deep love for manga and J-dramas, where uniforms are a visual constant. Fans express that admiration by wearing school-inspired outfits that mirror their favorite characters. And in the West, people who are drawn to Japanese culture have embraced that too—recreating the look as a way to show their love for a specific world or feeling, not necessarily a personal experience.

So you get multiple versions of “schoolgirl” style: the real, the fictional, the nostalgic, the editorial. And they all feed into the wider preppy aesthetic.

Still Here, Still Cute

Even with newer trends like coquette, clean girl, or dark academia, preppy remains a favorite. Maybe because it’s versatile. Or maybe because dressing like the version of your younger self you wish existed never really gets old.

A plaid skirt. A crisp button-up. A shiny loafer. It always works.

At Wanda Core, you can explore our selection of cardigans, boleros, pleated mini skirts, and shirts—mostly from the 90s and 2000s. They’re pieces we genuinely love and always keep in stock. Part of our forever staples, they’re perfect for building preppy-inspired looks.

Preppy may evolve, but it never disappears. And honestly? We kind of love it that way.