16 Preppy Nail Ideas to Save Before Your Next Appointment

Ralph Lauren logos, cashmere cardigans, Miu Miu polo dresses, and coastal towns engulfed in hydrangea blooms—all things that come to mind when we picture preppy style (and the places you’d find it in). Whether you’re setting off on an adventure along the Eastern Seaboard or simply experimenting with your style, a manicure is one of the easiest ways to immerse yourself into an aesthetic—and lately, preppy style is the trend taking over.

From social feeds to press junkets, celebrities like Rachel Brosnahan and Iris Law are embracing this trend with open arms. With gingham skirts, polo dresses, and itty-bitty polka dot prints running amok among the fashion girls, we compiled a list of the best preppy nail ideas to fit this aesthetic, your upcoming vacation, collegiate events, and everything beyond. Keep scrolling for some seriously screenshot-worthy styles.

Butter Yellow

Yellow nails aren’t going anywhere, whether they be buttery or lemon-hued. This happy shade is a great way to experiment with color, as it shockingly goes with so many outfits. But if you don’t want to go too yellow, try the sunny French trend, which is simply a yellow French manicure. “It’s a fresh take on something classic,” Brittney Boyce, celebrity nail artist and co-founder of Lost Angels, previously told Who What Wear. “Yellow feels light, happy, and unexpected without being too much. People want something that stands out but still feels wearable.”

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Tulle Tutu Pink

Nothing screams “class” like a sheer, milky shade of pink nail polish. There are a multitude of reasons why ballerina pink has transcended generations: It’s a universally flattering shade, it goes with just about any outfit, and it’s the simplest trick to make you look clean and put-together. Whether you’re hitting the tennis courts or heading to a gala, this shade will elevate your look tenfold.

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Milky French

While French tips are always a reliable choice, this milky iteration of the well-known classic is a whole new level of sophistication. Ask for ombré French nails at the salon (or “frombé, if you’re feeling fancy)—and for maximum blur, request a layer of sheer, milky-white polish on top to make this set look extra chic. While this design works on a myriad of nail shapes, we love how elegant it looks on medium-length, almond-shaped nails.

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Short n’ Square

If classic is the name of your game, consider trying a crisp French manicure on short, square nails. While nail shape is entirely up to personal preference, short, natural-shaped nails have been on the rise in 2025—and we don’t expect this to slow down anytime soon. To replicate this look, choose a neutral, pinky-nude base and swipe a defined, clean slice across your tips to exaggerate their shape.

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Summer Fruits

However, not all preppy nails are minimalistic. Perfect for spring and summer (but still cute year-round), this fruit-adorned manicure is a simple way to elevate your everyday manicure. The simple, pale pink base balances out the colorful art scattered across each nail, which you can accomplish with nail stickers or a steady hand and tiny detail brushes. Can’t you just see this set fitting the scene of a hydrangea-lined East Coast beach town?