Pull out your Catholic school uniform correctness of blue boy blazers and over the knee-high, pleated charcoal wool skirts. Prep school status has been glamorized by Vera Wang. Funny that I remember, there was a question mark over my stiff school uniform growing up. As a keeper of tradition, the restricted dress code could not help me shine with cool confidence.

Vera Wang’s Pre-Fall 2011 collection projected a British shoolgirl theme with a sort of country, baroque dressiness. Ms. Wang’s prep school girl had an youthful edge and tough image: mini pleated skirts with over the knee leggings; abbreviated cardigans with a touch of leather and fur; an abundance of charcoal hues.

A pared-back, dark, boyish take on the über polished and put together A+ girl—arguably my uniform of choice.