Hot or Not: The Preppy Guy

Posed smiles and a casual revealing of the polka-dot lining of this dude's jacket.

Costume sketch for Leonardo diCaprio
as Jay Gatsby

You know the one I'm talking about... constantly in a button down, khakis in every color of the rainbow, matching belts and ties. THE preppy guy. Men's fashion changes just as rapidly as women's, but the fashion style that has barely changed over the years is the classic "preppy" look.

Robert Redford as the original
Jay Gatsby

Evolving from casual days in the summer, to frat house cool, to the millions of Vineyard Vines obsessed- the preppy guy has always been there. The preppy guy can pull it off day or night, winter or summer. Since the Prepster-Lite species have sprung up all over America thanks to chain stores such as Vineyard Vines and Sperry, making it easier for styleLESS men to find some style, our definition of preppy has changed. If you wear Sperry's, does that automatically make you preppy? If he opts for salmon shorts instead of athletic shorts, is he equal to Chuck Bass (that's a rhetorical question, obviously no man could ever come close to equalling Chuck Bass)?

He's Chuck Bass

My question to you, dear readers, is this guy cute or juuuuust a little too into fashion to be manly and rugged? Obviously, the preppy look isn't for everyone, but is the preppy guy always hot? Or maybe is he never at all?

Are there extremes of hotness on the preppy scale? The Prepster-Lite, making it possible for teenage boys of America to boost their self esteem through boating shoes all year round, has made its mark on America. Is this lighter version of prep so-called hot? Sperry's instead of loafers, mid-calves over argyle, backwards hats versus driving caps (even though the last time someone wore a driving hat was 1930). Is this "bro" mini-version easier to love, or harder to watch an iconic style slowly spiral down the toilet?

Being preppy, as some say, is a lifestyle more than the act of choosing clothing. Can the way one act and speak be considered preppy? And do these Prepster-Lites fit the description? If you like your guys dedicated Brooks Brothers, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ralph Lauren, click "hot" to the poll on the right. Or maybe preppy pubescent creeps aren't your style, click "not". It's all in the eye of the beholder....even though we can ALL agree that this guy (golfer John Daly, below) should just kick himself in the ass already.

 

        The many looks of Chuck Bass (Ed Westick) and the "Lord" Scott Disick. 

Hot or Not: Red Lipstick

YouTube's very own, MirandaSings

Poor SJP... not her best look

The ageless and elegant red lipstick has recently been revamped and over used in a more casual daily setting, aka high school. My personal opinion is that let bright red lipstick stay classy and elegant- and where it belongs- by saving it for special occasions, the runway, or a night out when you are one-hundred percent sure you can pull it off. So when I see legging-clad freshmen sporting Ugg boots and a crop top, it makes my gag reflex kick in a little to notice them sporting a painstakingly bright red hue of color on their lips. Their logic? No clue. I'm not sure why some people think that by adding red lipstick you automatically look like a supermodel or something, but that is not the case. And really, I feel for you girls with orthodontic work (knowing from three years of braces hell), but red lipstick smeared on your braces and teeth is not cute... I'm saying all of this with deep love and care, not bitterness FYI.

Paris Hilton & a red lips mishap

I'm sure there is some girl out there in the midwest that nobody's heard of but who can rock red lipstick daily like it was made for her, but realistically and practically speaking... it's a tough trend to pull off and I encourage girls to save it until they are well out of the experimental-makeup stage of life (the teenage years). Not only is red lipstick hard to pull off, if not executed perfectly; teeth will look yellow, red may smear and stain, bold lips + heavy makeup = drag queen, eating with red lipstick is difficult, etc. etc. etc. (essentially, the list goes on and on).

Scarlett Johansson 

Don't get me wrong, red lipstick CAN be elegant, dramatic, and a statement. But where and when you choose to attempt this feat matters very much. So taking all of my red lipstick bitching into consideration, and the beautiful photos of Marilyn Monroe & co. boasting red lips, what do you think about red lipstick? Is it super hot, or totally not? Vote to the right (Fashion Forecast's first poll!) and see if others agree with your opinion!

Marilyn Monroe

Tayswizzle