Let’s be cheeky and say that the term “preppy” is to the Portuguese “alfacinha” as “beto”, or in other words, college boy. The “preppy college jacket” is a garment that dates back to the academic and social traditions of American universities, mainly those of the Ivy League, or the sports league of the eight American universities of Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton and Yale. This item has become a symbol of status and class, associated with a sophisticated and often elitist lifestyle, made with details that can include emblems or insignia representing educational institutions, as well as specific colours that refer to university teams and fraternities.

The design of the preppy college jacket tends to be characterised by structured cuts, which give it a polished and organised appearance, ideal for an academic environment and has become a casual fashion icon, often combined with polo shirts, chinos and classic trainers. The popularity of this garment has been reinforced by celebrities and influencers, who have adapted it to different styles, showing its versatility in any wardrobe.

The preppy college jacket also carries a connotation of nostalgia, evoking the image of students engaged in extracurricular activities such as debating and sport. Over time, it has established itself not only as an item of clothing, but as a cultural symbol representing an aspirational lifestyle. Thus, the preppy shell continues to be a popular choice for both casual events and special occasions, reaffirming its place in contemporary fashion.