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New England Prep for Less
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items I’ve always loved that classic New England look: chunky sweaters, crisp button-downs, dark denim, barn jackets, loafers and just enough little details to make everything feel polished. But I don’t love the idea that you need a designer budget to get ...
Sections
7
Sweaters & Knits
Button Downs & Tops
Jackets
Denim
Footwear
Bags
Sweaters & Knits
The New England prep sweater lineup: classic, cozy and all under $100. Because looking expensive doesn’t have to mean spending like it.
A simple crewneck is basically the backbone of a preppy fall wardrobe. I love this one for layering over a button-down or wearing with jeans and loafers.
Forever Crew-Neck Sweater
A classic turtleneck instantly makes everything feel a little more polished. The merino wool is an especially nice touch at this price point.
Merino Wool Turtle-Neck Sweater
The Brannan Bear gives me major Polo Bear energy without the Polo price tag.
100% Cotton Rollneck Sweater
Ivory and navy stripes will forever have my heart. This feels like the perfect casual sweater for a crisp fall day when you want to look put together without trying too hard.
Wherever the Day Goes Ivory & Navy Stripe Cotton Blend Pullover
The navy stripes make this one feel very quintessential New England fall. I’d pair it with straight-leg jeans, a barn jacket and loafers and call it a day.
Women's Relaxed Polo Sweater - A New Day™
Rugby sweaters are having a very preppy moment, and this one feels like something you could wear for years rather than a passing trend.
Seaside Cotton Rugby Polo
A cable knit with a collar is basically impossible to make look bad. This has that expensive-looking, country-club-meets-cozy-cabin feel I’m always looking for.
Cozy Classic Ivory Cable-Knit Collared Sweater
Button Downs & Tops
The classics that make getting dressed feel effortless and still keep the whole New England prep look comfortably under $100.
The ultimate prep staple. A crisp white button-down works with literally everything and gives even a casual jeans-and-sweater outfit that polished New England feel.
Perfect Poplin Shirt
Denim shirts are one of those pieces I think everyone should have. Wear it buttoned up, layered under a sweater or open over a tee—it’s endlessly useful.
The Perfect Denim Shirt
A relaxed rugby polo is basically the shortcut to looking effortlessly preppy. I love this with straight-leg denim and loafers for an easy fall outfit.
Relaxed Rugby Polo Shirt
The brown and ivory combination makes this feel especially perfect for fall. It has that slightly collegiate, slightly countryside look that fits the New England aesthetic so well.
Good Sport Brown & Ivory Stripe Rugby Pullover
Jackets
Barn jackets, quilted layers and a little suede, all bringing that classic New England fall feeling without the designer price tag.
The camel suede instantly makes this feel more elevated, while the tie neckline keeps it soft and feminine. It would look so good with dark denim and loafers.
Tied to the Occasion Camel Faux Suede Tie Neck Jacket
The chore jacket is such an easy way to bring that relaxed, slightly rugged New England feel into your wardrobe. Throw it over practically anything and go.
Chore Jacket
A denim barn jacket is basically two of my favourite fall trends in one. It feels classic, casual and just a little bit equestrian.
Denim Barn Jacket
This one feels a little more polished than your typical quilted jacket, making it perfect for when you want the cozy factor without looking too outdoorsy.
Quilted Knit Jacket
This is the New England jacket to me. The quilted body and corduroy collar give it that classic countryside look that works perfectly with jeans, a button-down and loafers.
Quilted Jacket with Corduroy Collar
A lighter, more practical take on the quilted jacket. I love this for those crisp fall days when you want something cozy without reaching for a full winter coat.
THERMOLITE® Quilted Jacket
Denim
Keeping the denim classic with dark washes, straight legs and relaxed silhouettes that make everything else in the wardrobe work harder.
A dark wash and a classic straight leg make these such an easy New England prep staple. They would look just as good with a cable knit and loafers as they would with a rugby polo and sneakers.
Curvy High Rise '90s Slim Straight Jeans
For a slightly more relaxed take on prep, I love these. The dark wash keeps the wide-leg silhouette feeling polished and makes them surprisingly versatile.
Mid Rise Wide-Leg Jeans
A classic medium wash straight leg is one of those pieces that never really needs an introduction. These have that effortless, weekend-in-New-England kind of feel I want from this wardrobe.
The Daily Edit Medium Wash Straight Leg Jeans
Footwear
Boat shoes, sneakers, rain boots and classic ankle boots for every kind of New England fall day.
Boat shoes are practically a New England uniform. This pair gives you that classic coastal-prep look without needing to spend Sperry or designer prices.
Tirani Boat Shoe
The ultimate casual prep sneaker. Simple, timeless and perfect with straight-leg jeans, a rugby sweater or a barn jacket.
Keds Champion Sneaker
Because New England fall is not going to guarantee perfect weather. A cute rain boot is essential for those chilly, rainy weekends.
Hunter Tabitha Rain Boot
A classic ankle boot rounds out the lineup perfectly. I’d wear these with dark denim and a chunky sweater when the weather starts feeling properly autumnal.
Nine West Barile Boot
Bags
The bags that make a simple jeans-and-sweater outfit look instantly more polished, without the luxury price tag.
The kind of oversized, throw-everything-in-it tote that makes sense for a fall weekend away. The suede look makes it feel much more expensive than it is.
Slouchy Vegan-Suede Tote Bag
A classic canvas tote is practically mandatory for this aesthetic. This would be perfect for coffee runs, errands or carrying around all your weekend essentials.
Mini Gap Logo Tote Bag
This is such a good Madewell dupe. The woven texture gives it that elevated, understated look while the brown makes it especially easy to work into a fall wardrobe.
Woven Tote Bag - A New Day™
The shape and rich brown suede make this feel very polished. I’d pair it with a sweater, dark denim and loafers for an easy everyday outfit.
Faux Suede Large Winged Satchel - A New Day™
A really good Clare V. alternative for a fraction of the price. The woven detailing gives it that slightly vintage, understated feel that works so well with New England prep.
Woven Modern Belt Handbag - Universal Thread™
Espresso brown is having such a moment, and this is an easy way to bring the colour into your wardrobe. I love the slightly slouchy shape for making the look feel less formal.
Carried Away Espresso Brown Faux Leather Shoulder Bag
Accessories
The little details that take a basic sweater-and-jeans outfit from casual to classic New England prep.
These brown and gold hoops are such an easy way to bring a little warmth into the outfit. I love that they feel more interesting than a basic gold hoop.
Meet Me Halfway Gold & Brown Resin Hoop Earrings
The Brannan Bear is giving me major Polo Bear energy again, which makes this such a fun finishing touch for the “prep for less” theme. I’d absolutely wear this with a rugby sweater and jeans.
Brannan Bear Denim Baseball Hat
A cognac leather-look belt is one of those little wardrobe staples that makes an outfit feel finished. I especially love it with dark denim and brown shoes.
Women's Oval Center Bar Belt - Universal Thread™
Three pairs of simple gold hoops for the price of one? This is exactly the kind of affordable find that makes this list work.
Small Hoop Earring Set 3pc - A New Day™
A little more statement-making than a classic hoop, but still understated enough for everyday wear. These would look especially cute with a simple crewneck sweater.
Stellar Button Earrings - A New Day™
The combination of gold, mother-of-pearl and brown leather feels so classic. It has that vintage-inspired prep aesthetic without looking overly formal.
Women's Timex Watch with Leather Strap
A slightly dressier option for the list, and I love the face. This would be gorgeous with a button-down, dark denim and loafers.
Women's Timex Cavatina Watch with Leather Strap
The easiest way to make a casual outfit feel a little more put together. The brown frames fit perfectly with the warm colour palette we’ve been building.
Women's Plastic Oval Sunglasses - Wild Fable™
The final little detail. A gold hair pin makes even a messy low bun feel intentional, which is exactly the kind of effortless polish I want from this aesthetic.
The Hair Edit Sleek Chignon French Hair Pin