Dispatch From Newport: The Preppiest Party We've Ever Seen

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Last Thursday night a crowd of 200 converged at Forty 1 North to browse a pastel-filled pop-up shop, guzzle Dark 'n Stormies, and congratulate themselves on being, literally, the preppiest people on the Eastern Seaboard.It was a madras-print spectacle, with hosts Kiel James Patrick (of his eponymous line of rope bracelets and belts) and Fred Castleberry, the blogger and photographer behind Unabashedly Prep, consistently stealing the limelight. (Check out photos of their "Thriller" dance for proof.) Alongside a KJP booth were two of New England's best boutiques, Pink Pineapple and Island Outfitters, as well as Smith Optics and go-to-hell pants purveyor Bonobos. But of course who wants to shop when they can party? And party is just what these preppies did, whether they were octogenarian stalwarts or teenage newbies. Spinning across the dance floor like blurs of lime green lightning and digging into Del's frozen lemonade (if you've been to Newport, you know Del's), spiked with clementine vodka, this was a night that didn't really need a reason. While a few friends sneaked out early, arms laden with cashmere and sailing jackets and Sperry Topsiders,  most stayed till the free booze ran out, after which they continued on to Christie's for more dancing, drinking, and being preppy.

Hosts Kiel James Patrick and Fred Castleberry perform Michael Jackson's "Thriller" for an ecstatic crowd.

KJP and Stacie Browning Hall; Cary Randolph Fuller and Nick Schonberger

[All photos via Jason Rich.]