On my shoulder: a huge leopard-print Fendi sack that Andre Leon Talley had given me.

before pirouetting out of sight.)

The fact that it began to infiltrate our city wardrobes was largely due to the girls of the moment.

Image may contain Caroline Winberg Adult Person Clothing Footwear High Heel Shoe Sitting Accessories and Jewelry

IN THE PINKSeersucker and pastel prints reign in Maine in 2004.

MATCH POINTYasmin Le Bon plays a sweater set in 1990.

My inner prep excelled during summer weekends.

(A whole room just for me was too expensive.)

Image may contain Child Person Adult Clothing Shorts People Footwear Shoe Accessories and Belt

MATCH POINTYasmin Le Bon plays a sweater set in 1990.

Paddy Byng, one half of the English couple, also worked for Ralph Lauren.

FIT TO BE TIEDAdut Akech buttons up inVogue,2023.

For a wannabe prepster like me, Paddy, Charles, and Thom were the dream housemates.

FIT TO BE TIED  Adut Akech buttons up in Vogue 2023.

FIT TO BE TIEDAdut Akech buttons up inVogue,2023.

Wives Like Usby Plum Sykes (HarperCollins) is published on May 14.

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TOOL OF THE TRADEFrom the watch to the drink to the accessories—and the book to explain it all: a panoply of prep.