Pull out your pearls, girls. It’s time to give preppy a try ... again.

It’s been nearly three decades since Love Story’s Jenny Cavilleri chided blueblood Oliver Barrett IV for his preppy ways. Ten years later, Lisa Birnbaum published The Official Preppy Handbook and we embraced – or ridiculed – that privileged look: Boat shoes without socks, turned-up collars on polo shirts, madras and seersucker.

Want to mix patterns? Add a white or beige patterned blouse to this plaid Tyler Boe jacket from Helene M. and you'll still look pulled together.

Preppy has returned, this time with a little edge... Love those little Ralph Lauren Polo ponies? This season they're too big to miss...ponies galloping across the back of a rugby shirt, metallic ponies - even hot pink ponies on a black, long-sleeved tee.

Not quite ready to bury the skull trend? Libertine has added a punk twist to the traditional argyle sweater vest with green skulls against a pink and navy background.

So preppy style is back, but did it ever really leave Maine? Jack Rogers sandals have long been a Portland favorite, though this summer they arrived in even more metallic colors in additional to the much-loved pink and white.

At Helene M., the Portland boutique known for its sophisticated preppy styles, owner Helene Michalski and manager Liana Zaborowski view preppy style as "something you're born into - a state of mind."

They never saw preppy style disappear, but instead watched it evolve into a more polished look with tweeds, plaids and sophisticated prints. Cable knits are a little more chunky. Today's loafers are richer - not as boxy as loafers of the past, but sleeker and refined with gold insignias and touches of calf hair.

So how would Liana translate preppy this fall? For younger customers, she might recommend an empire waist or knit dress and cable tights, topped with a little houndstooth jacket. Another look: a wide trouser with a jacket and cable-knit sweater slung over the shoulders.

If you're willing to mix textures and prints, such as a plaid and tweed, she says to keep the look tonal. Pick three colors to combine in your outfit - two neutral and one that will pop.

For accessories consider ballet blats, ribbon belts, equestrian boots and - of course - a headband.

Tory Burch styles put a sophisticated spin on flats.

Jenna Hoops of Scarborough shops for Lacoste tops, long a preppy favorite. She likes preppy style for its "classy" look.

Coming tomorrow: L.L. Bean's take on preppy fashion.

E-mail this entry to a friend