East Coast prep is polished from head to toe, and a typical outfit is comprised of a buttoned-up plaid or printed oxford shirt (plus bow tie, natch), cropped pants, and either boat shoes or desert boots.
Ezra Koenig, Vampire Weekend’s front man, rocks the classic East Coast prep look, whether he’s onstage or off, and the classic lines of his prepster wardrobe seem to match his band’s signature upbeat, worldly sound.
Koenig often opts for a pair of skinny jeans, or solid/printed cotton shorts in the hotter months, when VW plays festivals.
Up top, Koenig sports a tight-fit button-down or quirky cotton t-shirt, complete with witty slogan, which Koenig was seen wearing backstage at this year’s Coachella festival.
It’s easy to mimic Koenig’s classic look – stick with simple colors like gray, navy blue, and white, but make sure to add a splash of color somewhere in your outfit, whether it be a pair of light pink shorts or a colorful pair of oxfords. Finish your entire look off with a pair of Ray-Ban wayfarers to stay suave.
If you’re not completely for the all American prep-ster look, channel the psychedelic meets East Coast prep style of MGMT’s Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser.
Often associated with the fashion scene, VanWyngarden and Goldwasser have gone from wearing t-shirts and tie-dye ponchos on stage to clean cut collared shirts and ties, and even appearing in full editorials in magazines like Vogue, and GQ.
A full look for either of the duo consists of a dress shirt buttoned all the way to the top, in a colorful print, with skinny jeans or suit pants. Mixing prints is key for these two, pairing striped oxford shirts with floral skinny ties. VanWyngarden and Goldwasser keep to the basic aesthetics, yet take it up another notch with their wild prints and pairings.
To get the look, try these combinations, fitting for all styles.
2. Prospect Chambray Short $54.00
3. Stephen Schneider 24 Cardigan-common $126.00
4. Sperry Topsider $78.00
5. Ray-Ban Clubmaster $145.00
2. Levi’s Sidewalk Trucker Jacket $68.00
3. Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair Favorite Linen Short $78.00
4. Cutler & Gross 0734 Sunglasses in Black $430.00
5. Alden Chukka Boot $390.00
2. BDG Straight 5 Pocket Pattern Pant $49.00
3. Feathers Crepe-Sole Oxford $78.00
4. Cotton Bow-Tie $19.00
