If You Wear One Of These 16 Preppy Nail Designs, I'll Assume You Summer In Nantucket

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 fashion people, 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.

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 neat and put-together. Whether you're hitting the tennis court or heading to a gala, this shade will elevate your look tenfold.

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, I love how elegant it looks on medium-length, almond-shaped nails.

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 I 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.

However, not all preppy nails are simple. Perfect for spring and summer (but still cute year-round), this fruit-adorned manicure is a simple way to elevate your everyday manicure. The 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?

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