Vineyard Vines and the Eternal Popularity of the Preppy Look
With style ambassadors such as the Kennedys, Ralph Lauren, L.L. Bean and “The Official Preppy Handbook,” the preppy look always seems to be embraced, so it is no surprise that Vineyard Vines is expanding.
The Stamford, Conn.–based preppy line produced a grand-opening party Oct. 26 for its first West Coast store. The 4,000-square-foot boutique is located in the Nordstrom wing of Fashion Island in Newport Beach, Calif.
Vineyard Vines started in 1998 by selling whimsical ties, but the collection expanded into men’s, women’s and children’s styles, and retail price points typically range from $30 to $300. The company runs 13 stores on the East Coast and forecasts it will open additional West Coast stores, according to a company representative.Also in high preppy style, the Fashion Island store was designed not by a retail architect but by popular East Coast boat maker Jarrett Bay Boatworks. Boats always are in good taste in the preppy world.—Andrew Asch
