11 preppy men's style staples you need for your East Coast summer getaway

We're not huge fans of the boat shoe, but there's no doubt that it's a huge prep staple. They're forgivable to wear if you're actually going on a boat.

Sperry Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe ($95)

Nantucket Reds are the quintessential prep staple on the East Coast. Bought from Murray's Toggery Shop in Nantucket and worn until the color fades to a rosy pink, they're a prep rite of passage.

Murray's Toggery Shop Nantucket Reds Pants ($90)

For everywhere that's not a boat, penny loafers are the preppy footwear of choice. We recommend the beefroll style, which lends a more relaxed look.

Rancourt Beefroll Penny Loafers ($295)

Go-to-hell pants are nothing like normal pants — they're on another plane entirely.

Crazy colors and wild patterns combine to create quite the statement piece. Extreme confidence is required.

Vineyard Vines Seafeather Plaid Breaker Pants ($100)

On those chilly Vineyard nights, you're going to need a preppy outer layer to keep warm. Enter Patagonia's vintage-inspired fleeces, with bright colors and patterns that fit right in with the aesthetic.

Patagonia Men's Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover ($99)

Needlepoint belts and prep culture go together like ice cream and apple pie. Get one that shows off your personality, or just go full Americana with this super-patriotic version.

Vineyard Vines American Flags Canvas Club Belt ($50)

Seersucker is a fabric, not a pattern. And that fabric has been linked to prep — especially southern style — practically since the dawn of time. We recommend you keep it to a single piece of your outfit, like this sporty button-down shirt.

Brooks Brothers Seersucker Sport Shirt ($80)

One of our favorite preppy summer patterns for dress shirts is gingham, a pattern that can quickly look like a table cloth if done poorly. Keep the checks small and any color but red, and you'll be fine.

J. Crew Ludlow Spread-Collar Shirt in Navy Gingham ($88)

The meridian tee by Saint James is a classic prep staple. It's weighty enough to keep you warm on colder spring nights and has an unmistakable Breton-stripe design.

President John F. Kennedy wore sunglasses made by American Optical — knock-offs of the Ray-Ban Wayfarers — and they've been a pillar of East Coast prep style every since.

Nothing goes better with a polo and seersucker shorts.

Ray Ban Wayfarers ($125)