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Fall fashion is officially underway, and whether you’re headed back to school or not, this season is all about dressing like class is in session. From the Fall 2025 runways to the street style scenes at Copenhagen Fashion Week — and even Pinterest’s Fall 2025 Trend Report released yesterday — one thing is certain: the preppy fashion trend is back in full swing, just in time for the season of blazers, cardigans, and layering. While many brands are amping up their collegiate style, it comes as no surprise that preppy chic connoisseur Polo Ralph Lauren is at the forefront of the trend, and the American heritage brand’s new fall collection at Nordstrom proves just that.

Launching this week, Polo Ralph Lauren’s latest arrivals at Nordstrom have everything you need to ace the preppy fashion trend. There are crisp striped button-up shirts, cable knit cardigans ideal for layering or tying across your shoulders, chic takes on rugby shirting (and even a rugby dress), and of course, several cameos from beloved preppy king, the Ralph Lauren Polo Bear. Another standout is a plaid twill midi shirtdress that’s practically begging to be paired with knee-high boots and a cardigan tied across the shoulders this season. But the real magic lies in the styling: layered together, these pieces form a foolproof fall uniform — effortless, versatile, and undeniably stylish takes on academia chic. 

Preppy style’s resurgence has been quietly rising in the background for several seasons now, a natural evolution of tenniscore, quiet luxury, and Americana influences converging into a sharper, more contemporary form. On the Fall 2025 runways, prep took flight through crisp shirting, heritage plaids, and an abundance of polos — each piece signaling the trend’s shift to a more modern sophistication. Off the runways is where the trend is really soaring, though: Pinterest’s fall trend report shows searches for “women’s preppy outfits” surged an astonishing 47,680% this season, with phrases like “2000s preppy aesthetic” and “new preppy style” also spiking in volume. The data confirms that preppy style is no longer quietly returning — it’s firmly reclaiming its place in the style lexicon.

Thanks to the styling ease and versatility that come with preppy fashion essentials, consider this trend the building blocks to crafting your fall wardrobe. From layering-friendly shirting to one-and-done dresses and staple knit cardigans that feel Y2K-inspired in all the right ways, buy into the season’s preppy aesthetic with the below standouts from Polo Ralph Lauren’s latest collection at Nordstrom.

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Meet the Author

Lauren Alexis Fisher is the Senior Style Commerce Editor at WWD and Footwear News, where she writes and edits fashion, beauty, and lifestyle stories. Previously, she served as Senior Editor at Cosmopolitan and Market Editor at Harper’s BAZAAR, where she oversaw digital content from fashion features to news and product reviews. With over a decade of experience as a digital fashion editor, she’s an expert in scouring the internet for the greatest emerging brands, top-rated products, and latest trends to shop.