Have you spotted preppy nail ideas in your feeds? This trend takes inspiration from the 1980s preppy look inspired by elite school uniforms and an "old money" vibe. But it’s not all argyle sweaters and navy blazers anymore. Today’s preppy nails include pink and perky styles that are still polished and yet playful. Here’s a peek at tantalizing new looks to explore.
What is a Preppy?
First, a little background because some of us didn’t live through ‘80s culture in the USA. Back then, Preppies were modeling their style on Princess Diana and Ralph Lauren, watching Heathers, and reading The Official Preppy Handbook for inspiration. They were emulating the penny loafers, khaki pants, and cable knit sweaters draped over the shoulders look, dreaming of making it big like Michael J. Fox in The Secret of My Success. Even if they didn’t have wealthy parents, they wanted to seem like they did. Now, like everything in fashion, this style has rotated back into modern culture, but with some fun new twists.
Preppy Nail Ideas
Pink Tweed Preppy Nail Idea
The first new twist on preppy nail art is using pink instead of more conservative colors like beige or cream for a tweed design. This one was textured with LAVIS Plaster Gel and painted with pink and black from a Pat Pat Gel palette.
LAVIS 3D Plaster Gel - White
LAVIS 3 In 1 Pat Pat Gel - P18
Why texture nails like tweed fabric? It turns out the tweed is a very preppy choice. This material has a long history in Scotland and Britain where it was traditionally worn by the upper class with a leisurely lifestyle in the countryside. Also, in modern shows, costume designers use tweed to indicate that a character is intellectual or wealthy.
However, modern preppy nail ideas inspired by tweed don’t stick to the traditional conservative colors. Instead, today’s preppy aesthetic has shifted to all shades of pink, not just muted ones. It’s warmer and more energetic, confidently including elements of coquette style like the pink bow on these nails.
While we’re on the topic of texture, we’d like to introduce LAVIS Plaster Gel. It’s an innovative tool for today’s nail artists. For now, it’s available in either black or white, but the white can be customized with other gel colors. It has a grainy consistency that’s ideal for imitating textured fabric like tweed or even concrete for abstract nail art. The thick formula is straightforward to sculpt and will hold its shape until cured.
Argyle Nails
Open up your mom’s or grandma’s school yearbooks and you’ll see argyle sweaters and socks that were fashionable in the 1980s. The pattern is based on traditional Scottish tartans. It’s linked to golf culture and school uniforms, so it’s perfect for a preppy motif.
If you’re interested in argyle nails, they’re easier to paint with a nail printing steel plate and a silicone stamper. Stamping the pattern ensures a consistent diamond design across the set while allowing you to change colors, too.
Nail Printing Steel Plate W1022 - Window grille pattern
French Silicone Jelly Stamper - Clear
Checkered Nails for Preppies
Celebrity artist Betina Goldstein created this gold and black checkered set on short, rounded nails. It’s a practical length, something that OG preppies would appreciate. But checkerboard patterns like this are a new preppy trend that evolved from the original argyle style.
Moreover, we must discuss stripes for preppy nail ideas. Old school sporty looks based on rugby shirts and nautical designs are excellent for preppy looks. Plus, modern preppies include soft sweater striped gradients in their sets.
But no matter what geometric pattern you choose, there’s one element that all preppy nails should prioritize. Can you guess what it is?
A'DOR Metallic Marble Ink 10ml - Gold
Leopard Prints and Nail Care
The single most important element of any preppy manicure is nail care. It doesn’t matter how perfect the design is if the cuticles are a wreck. No preppy would be caught dead with raggedy hangnails! And yes, this includes your toenails. Remember, preppy fashion means you’re representing a luxury lifestyle (even if you’re not living one yet). All of your nails must look impeccable.
With that said, here’s a leopard print pedicure. Out of all the animal print possibilities, leopard print seems to fit the preppy lifestyle best. Recent fashion shows emphasized this fact. Leopard fur was once a symbol of royalty that turned into a status symbol. Preppy designers like J.Crew and Ralph Lauren include leopard spots as a refined yet glamorous touch.
True Blue Preppy Nails
We mentioned that preppy nails need to be perfect, and truthfully, looking healthy and well groomed is much more important than argyle patterns or leopard spots. So, if you want the most basic preppy nail idea, stick to glossy soap nails or choose a gorgeous shade that flatters your skin. If you go with blue, you should know you’ve selected a cornerstone color of preppy culture that links back to private school uniforms and yacht clubs.
Kiara Sky Gel Pro Polish - 133 Dodge Her Blues
Original Versus New Preppy Culture
Old-school preppy lifestyle is based on status symbols that declare the wearer is well-connected and wealthy. Meanwhile, new preppy culture puts a colorful spin on the original and relies on certain viral accessories. For example, original preppies wore a lot of khaki pants and navy blazers, but young preppies today love neon shades and Lululemon leggings.
Is there a way to blend both worlds? Abercrombie & Fitch already started that process a couple of decades ago. Now, modern fashion houses are releasing chunky loafers and trenchcoats with leopard print or argyle edging to bring back the style and have it appeal to younger generations. Your preppy nail ideas can be part of that future.
Conclusion
Nail artists are always on the lookout for something new and preppy nail ideas provide a lot of room for innovation. At the moment, there’s space for minimalism and maximalism in the nail world, which is ideal for preppy nail art. So go ahead with ‘80s flashback argyle or 2020s vibrant pink and have fun because this is your moment! Check our store for sales on top nail brands and enjoy exclusive discounts plus free shipping.
