After several Preps Out of Place features, I’m still constantly amazed at the diversity among those who’ve been featured—ages, genders, backgrounds, locations, and more. Today’s post features Grace Rice, the blogger behind Smile Couture, an Iowan by birth but a prep at heart.
What is your blog’s aim and focus?
My blog started as a personal fashion diary of sorts when it originally occurred to me that my sense of style was unique, but I’d say it has evolved to cater trends to young people wishing to maintain a classic wardrobe with high quality pieces while experimenting with color and adding whimsical touches.
What do you do with your time?
Aside from schoolwork, I love spending time out on the water with my rowing team, playing tennis recreationally, seeing movies and hanging out with friends and such, baking when I find time, and of course, writing for Smile Couture and my school’s newspaper. I also work part time at Cold Stone Creamery, which albeit isn’t the preppiest of jobs, but it’s actually a lot of fun and does get me the spending money for preppy clothing!
Who is your style icon?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt that Jackie O. is the epitome of a stylish, conservative wardrobe. I’ll always admire the way she embraced American fashion as a candidate’s wife, and the way she brought us such fantastic pieces, namely the Lilly shift. Of course, nowadays, I’ve grown to appreciate more modern figures like Sarah Vickers and Kate Middleton, who both have a very fresh way of dressing, while remaining timeless.
How would you describe the style of the people who live in your area?
For the most part, my area has a very casual vibe. Jeans are simply the norm if it isn’t a fancier event. However, many girls my age have a more modern, trendy look, which while it works for them, is definitely not for me. There’s definitely a certain demographic of people in Des Moines who dress more like me though, which I particularly witnessed in my smaller elementary school in the South of Grand neighborhood.
Are there any regional retailers or brands that you are especially fond of? Why do you feel that they fit the preppy lifestyle?
For Des Moines, there really isn’t much, but I do enjoy the boutique side of Raygun, a t-shirt company, which has the occasional Lacoste gem and really cute Seychelles footwear. I also feel the store Worn, an upscale resale store, which occasionally stocks Lilly Pulitzer and Kate Spade, embodies certain preppy mindsets of being thriftier, and “they don’t make it the way they used to”. I also love going to the boutique, Melly, whenever I find myself in Minneapolis, which carries more mainstream preppy clothiers like Barbour and J. McLaughlin, as well as some lesser known brands. I also recently discovered Chicago Belt Co., which has some really cute designs on their D-ring belts, which are an essential; I haven’t purchased anything from there yet, so I can’t testify to the quality, but I definitely plan to in the near future.
cable knit sweater // critter shorts // Sperry A/O boat shoes
What are your thoughts on being of preppy persuasion in the Midwest?
In a word, it’s different. My peers sometimes give me a weird look when I’m not dressed in their super casual way, but many have noted they think I dress well. I also think my sense of dressing makes me look a little more respectable to adults, as some are typically “horrified” of the way teenagers dress today, and I think I’m in the minority when I get compliments from my teachers. Of course, there’ll always be people who look at you and judge, so I’d be lying if I said no one ever made comments about my style being “pretentious” or “snobby,” but at the end of the day, I really don’t let what others say influence my personal style. I think those comments are unfounded, considering many of them buy nice clothing as well, and mine certainly gets a lot of use (I still have a cashmere sweater I bought for $60 from L.L. Bean in eighth grade, after all!)
What blogs or Twitter accounts should we be reading or following?
I particularly enjoy Classy Girls Wear Pearls, College Prep, Design Darling, It’s Official, The Pink and Green Prep, Summer Wind, The Kennedys Among the Kardashians, and Life Through Preppy Glasses. Of course, I also enjoy street style on Unabashedly Prep, and Muffy can do no wrong on The Daily Prep. I don’t have a twitter, but I do really enjoy tumblr, my favorite blogs being Prepfection, Argyleforlife, Prepaganda, and Whitegirlblog!
Want to be featured in Preps Out of Place? Drop me a line.
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