What does prep mean in 2022 ? Redefining the term was Tommy Hilfiger ’ s mission for his new spring collection , roughly 40 years after he set the agenda with his original preppy sportswear . At a time when fashion trends are increasingly decentralized — with kids thrifting ’ 90s-era Tommy Girl jeans , ’ 60s miniskirts , and ’ 80s leather jackets in equal measure — and young menswear brands are putting their own spin on prep ( see : Rowing Blazers , Noah , Fear of God ), the challenge was to balance that special TH nostalgia with thoroughly modern touches .
Suits came in ultrasoft ivory and blush jersey , a post-WFH alternative to rigid tailoring , while Hilfiger ’ s classic chinos were scaled up to new swagger-y proportions . His madras checks from the ’ 90s were similarly reimagined in a barely there pink , and his team unearthed a forgotten cursive logo from the archive to embroider onto Gen Z – friendly bucket hats , sweatshirts , and tees .
Perhaps the most modern aspect about Hilfiger ’ s new vision of prep is its genderless spirit . Not so long ago , the dominant colors in the men ’ s assortment would be red and blue , but spring ’ s juicy palette of hibiscus , mango , and emerald was shown on women and men alike . Many of the guys were styled with the season ’ s new mini bag across their chests ( a gesture we see often on the streets of New York ). Likewise , Hilfiger ’ s chief design officer , Lee Holman , said more and more women are shopping from the men ’ s collection to get an extra-oversized feel . Many items here will be labeled as unisex , like the hoodies and luxe varsity jackets ; Holman said those are already popular with kids leaning into the collegiate look .