25+ Trending Preppy Things To Draw: The Ultimate Aesthetic Sketchbook Guide For 2024

The preppy aesthetic is having a major moment in 2024, but it’s no longer just about country clubs and polo shirts. Today's preppy style, heavily influenced by platforms like TikTok, has evolved into a vibrant blend of classic motifs, bright pastel colors, and cutesy, viral accessories, making it a perfect and fun subject for your sketchbook. This guide will give you the most current and comprehensive list of over 25 preppy entities to draw, ensuring your art portfolio is fresh, unique, and fully on-trend right now. Forget the old, stuffy stereotypes; the modern preppy drawing palette embraces bold color blocking, playful patterns, and a focus on self-care and vibrant athleisure. Whether you’re a beginner looking for simple doodles or an experienced artist aiming for a chic, detailed illustration, these ideas—ranging from iconic fashion pieces to must-have accessories—will provide endless inspiration for your next masterpiece.

The Core Preppy Aesthetic: Classic Motifs and Must-Have Patterns

To master the preppy drawing style, you must first understand its foundational elements: the patterns and symbols that define the look. These designs are often simple to draw and are excellent for filling up a sketchbook page or creating a striking background for a more complex illustration. Incorporating these classic motifs will instantly give your artwork topical authority.

1. Collegiate and Nautical Symbols

The original preppy style drew heavy inspiration from Ivy League universities and coastal life. Drawing these symbols is a great way to pay homage to the aesthetic’s roots.

• Anchors and Ship Wheels: Simple, clean lines that look great when drawn in a bold navy blue and white.
• Crests and Shields: Sketch a stylized shield shape and add initials or a small, simple animal (like a lion or eagle) for a collegiate feel.
• Rowing Oars: Draw two crossed oars, often featuring a simple stripe pattern on the blade.
• Sailboats: Easy to sketch with basic geometric shapes, often seen in a lush landscape setting.

2. Essential Preppy Patterns to Draw

Patterns are the lifeblood of preppy art. They can be used to decorate clothing, backgrounds, or even as stand-alone abstract pieces. For beginners, start with simple shapes and add details like stripes or bows.

• Thick Stripes (Color Block): Use bright, contrasting colors like pink and green or blue and yellow.
• Plaids and Tartans: A classic preppy pattern, perfect for drawing plaid skirts or blazers.
• Polka Dots: Simple, playful, and versatile, especially in pastel colors.
• Gingham and Seersucker Textures: Great for adding a subtle, sophisticated texture to a drawn dress or shirt.
• Bows and Ribbons: Draw simple, oversized bows as an accessory or as a repeating pattern.

The 2024 TikTok Preppy Trend: Viral Accessories and Athleisure

The preppy aesthetic has had a massive resurgence, largely due to social media. The current trend shifts focus from strictly formal wear to a more casual, vibrant, and accessory-heavy look. Drawing these trending items is crucial for creating fresh, current "preppy aesthetic sketches."

3. Trending Viral Accessories and Objects

These are the items dominating "What's in my bag" and "Preppy Haul" videos, making them the most popular and relevant subjects to draw right now.

• TikTok-Viral Water Bottles: Drawing a large, branded water bottle (like a Stanley or a Hydro Flask) is a must. Decorate it with simple stickers of stars, hearts, or initials.
• Cutesy Skincare and Makeup: Sketching popular, brightly packaged skincare products (think Drunk Elephant or Sol de Janeiro) is a signature of the modern preppy look.
• Beaded Bracelets and Rings: Simple, colorful, chunky jewelry, often featuring smiley faces or letter beads.
• Oversized Claw Clips: Draw a simple hair accessory in a bright, solid color or a small checkerboard pattern.
• Designer Totes and Mini Backpacks: Focus on the clean lines and simple logos of chic accessories.

4. Preppy Fashion and Apparel Entities

When drawing clothing, focus on structured shapes, layering, and bright, clean colors. These are the building blocks of any preppy wardrobe illustration.

• Classic Loafers and Boat Shoes: Draw them with a clean finish, sometimes adding a small tassel detail.
• Polo Shirts and Collared Blouses: The foundation of the look. Draw a crisp white collared shirt peeking out from under a sweater.
• Tennis Skirts and Pleated Skorts: A nod to the athleisure element, these are typically drawn in white, black, or a pastel shade.
• Cable-Knit Sweaters and Cardigans: Essential for layering. Focus on drawing the texture of the knit.
• Pastel Blazers: A structured blazer in a soft color like baby blue or mint green.
• Crew Socks with Sneakers: Draw high crew socks with a simple stripe pattern, paired with chunky, clean white sneakers.

Tips for Creating High-Authority Preppy Drawings

Achieving a high-quality "preppy aesthetic" in your sketches goes beyond just the objects you choose; it’s about the execution, color palette, and overall presentation.

Color Palette is Everything

The preppy aesthetic relies on a specific, high-contrast color scheme. Use these combinations to make your drawings pop:

• Bright and Bold: Think hot pink, lime green, bright turquoise, and sunny yellow.
• Pastel Perfection: Soft pinks, mint greens, baby blues, and lavender.
• Classic Contrast: Navy blue, white, and a pop of red or green. This is perfect for collegiate-inspired pieces.

Focus on Clean Lines and Simplicity

Preppy art is characterized by its clean, polished look. Avoid overly messy or sketchy lines. Focus on creating sharp outlines and filling in colors cleanly. This approach makes "easy preppy drawing ideas" perfect for beginners.

Create a Themed Sketchbook Page

Instead of drawing one item, create a collage of related "cute preppy drawings" on a single page. For example, draw a Stanley tumbler, a small bottle of Drunk Elephant skincare, a pair of chunky beaded bracelets, and a few oversized bows, all connected by simple, decorative borders or stripes. This technique helps build a cohesive aesthetic and adds to your topical authority. By focusing on this blend of timeless classics and current viral trends, you can ensure your "preppy things to draw" art is not only fun and engaging but also completely up-to-date for the current year. Start sketching your chic, vibrant, and effortlessly stylish portfolio today!