From the start of their Andover career, most freshmen think they know how to dress “Prep.” These yuppies include the likes of Cassius Clay ’09, and many others who saunter around the Andover campus thinking they know how to dress, act, and be an Andover student. Listen closely my children; those “preppy” outfits may fit in with the crowds who chill in the DSL, but not in the real Andover world, not at all. Little freshman boys are sporting those new Champion sweatpants, Air Jordans, Red Sox tee-shirts, and the classic town league baseball caps. The small freshmen girls are usually seen wearing their brand new sketchers straight from the Payless Shoe Source, six foot long skirts, their gymnastics team tee, and a cute Cape Cod visor. At orientation, these kids are humiliated by all, especially the seniors who have made the successful evolution into an Andover student. During the first week of class, a freshman boy takes the fashion leap and wears a polo to class, but with the old sweatpants, and a girl may even dabble in the power of makeup for the first time ever. By the end of freshman year, most boys wear polo shirts daily and their closet no longer contains gym shorts, but jeans, yes they are actually wearing jeans, and cargo shorts. All girls typically own a few skirts above the knee at this point in their evolution and a tank top that reveals the bottom of their neck. Typical freshman girl rumors go something like this, “Oh my God, did you see Katie today, her skirt is above her knees and I can see her collarbone.” “Oh my God, what a slut.” Freshmen are also infamously marked by their ninety pound L.L. Bean backpacks or the particularly heinous “rolley” bag, and can be spotted scurrying with shoulders hunched as they rush along the paths to class like the little rats that they are. By Lower and Upper years, styles have significantly changed to encompass the more traditional “Prep” look. Girls are commonly found with hardtail or gaucho pants and the latest skirts from Abercrombie and Fitch. Shoes and hair ribbons are necesary accessories for the Andover girl. Shoes must be worn in all colors and styles ranging from moccasins, to the infamous heel collection of Janet Scognamiglio ’08. Hair ribbons can be striped or solid colored. Lower/ Upper guys on the other hand can be spotted combing the paths for chicks, clad in polo shirts of any imaginable color, brightly colored chinos or chino shorts, and New Balance kicks or Rainbow sandals. Popping your collar is a must if you intend to get a few girls, as is a minimally sized backpack. A guy cannot forget to put on the latest college adjustable hat or a classic Andover athletics hat from The Game. In terms of sports, boys generally progress from football and basketball freshman year to lacrosse and squash, the preppier athletic options. Similarly, girls graduate from soccer and basketball to tennis and lacrosse. Now by senior year, the typical Andover student has the “Andover Style” down pat. Preppy sports must be played at all times; water polo, squash, tennis, or lacrosse for both guys and girls. The latest from Ralph Lauren and Gucci is also a necessity for every student. When the weather is rough, fancifully decorated rubber boots or the smooth looking Uggs for the girls and Duck Boots for the guys. By this time, all students limit themselves to vibrantly colored polos, shorts, pants, and skirts with the appropriate accoutrements. Accessories may include new Gucci shades, cute little shoes, or a sleek bill fold. Also, guys have mastered the art of belt choosing, a belt accepted by the Andover evolutionary standards is one that has either a picture of a sea creature or some reference to Cape Cod and the islands embroidered on it. For music, freshman go from *NSYNC for girls and Sum 41 for guys to the more Alternative/ Indie/ Acoustic styles of the Andover senior who jams to Coldplay, The Killers, Jack Johnson, Bob Dylan, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers in their dorm room all day. At least that was what Facebook.com’s The Pulse said. Lastly, no student can possibly haul around an old L.L. Bean bag, which only belongs in public schools, but rather all guys must carry around a North Face bag or a briefcase, which Kit Halvorsen ’08 has prematurely mastered. For girls, that new tote bag with your initials monogrammed on the side is a must. Now that the evolution of an Andover student is complete, one can see the true change to the “Andover styles” and say goodbye to the obsolete middle school fashions. In determining the level of evolution a particular student has reached, one must pay attention to the number of popped collars, which can be directly correlated with a person’s status on the Andover food chain, as well as their overall appearance, number of accessories, matching factor, style, and cost.
