College jocks originally had to earn the right to wear a varsity jacket – also known as the letterman – by proving their athletic worth in the most prestigious games. While you don’t need to garner such accolades to wear one today today, ICECREAM’s iteration is a distinctly tongue-in-cheek take that Ferris Bueller himself would surely approve of.

The forerunner of the varsity jacket was the letterman sweater and today’s collegiate hoodies can also trace their sartorial pedigree to the preppy pullover. This soft and cosy version from US label Museum of Peace & Quiet has the sort of slouchy – but not scruffy – comfort that we’re all seeking from our new normal wardrobes. Dress it up with an oversized tweed sports blazer and penny loafers for full marks.

Retro-inspired kicks are still riding high on the sneaker nostalgia wave and this pair from Rhude – appropriately called “Rhecess” – is a bold revamp of the collegiate tennis shoe. Their slightly seasoned appearance delivers a lived-in charm straight out of the box, while their 1990s nuance feels particularly on point.

Is there anything that says “artistically inclined scholar” more than patchwork? These natty trousers are the result of a fruitful collab between Baracuta – better known for its Harrington jackets – and NYC label Noah, which has garnered a loyal following for its skate, surf and music-inspired casualwear. A definite step-up from run-of-the-mill beige chinos.

While Gucci’s Mr Alessandro Michele is doubtless a disciple of 1970s style, he’s clearly not averse to delving into the Ivy League archives for inspiration. This T-shirt, which sports a tiger – this year’s lunar calendar zodiac – also borrows its bold typography from the initials on varsity jackets.

Mr Thom Browne has built his name for his alternative, modern approach to preppy stateside dressing, which explains the striking trim in the colours of the star-spangled banner that frame this shirt. Its lean, elegant cut and classic button-down collar has a schoolroom smartness about it.

Thanks to the Ivy League’s proclivity for athletic pursuits, the popularity of sweatpants owes much to campus dress codes. This pair from streetwear label VETEMENTS is made from a super soft grey loopback cotton, making them as comfortable as they are multi-faceted.

While the penny loafer is undoubtedly the most celebrated style in the collegiate shoe rack, the boat shoe comes a close second. More cost-effective, but no less stylish, this pair from Yuketen has a chunky tread sole, so you’ll find they’re good for more than just padding around a dry deck.

Manhattan-based designer Ms Emily Bode is a modern champion of old-school craft techniques and has a particular aptitude for patchwork – as this scarf attests. Its two-tone design and chunky, contrast stitching gives it a scholastic vibe that’s more artisanal than Harry Potter at Hogwarts.

No collegiate look would be complete without a cosy knit, and this example from Missoni will pep up your knitwear no end. What else would you expect from a label that long been considered high fashion’s master of colour and pattern?