10 Essentials for the Perfect Preppy Wardrobe
The preppy girl aesthetic is having a major moment—but today's version looks a little different. Think classic preppy style mixed with bows, graphic tees, high-top sneakers, relaxed denim, cherries, pastel colors, and a little Y2K energy. At Doodles & Saffron, we love preppy fashion that feels colorful, playful, and personal. You don't need an entirely new closet to get the look, either.
Here are 10 essentials for creating the perfect modern preppy wardrobe.
1. A Cute Graphic Tee
A graphic tee is one of the easiest places to start. Choose designs that show off your personality, like the Doodles & Saffron Preppy Girl Social Club, Cherry Girl Social Club, Pink Bow, Matcha Girlie, or Blue Preppy Icons tees. Many of our favorite designs are available in both Girls Graphic Tees and Teen Graphic Tees, so you can find the fit that's right for you. Pair one with jeans for an everyday look or tuck it into a white tennis skirt when you want something more polished.
2. A White Tennis Skirt
A white tennis or pleated skirt is basically a preppy wardrobe superpower. It works with almost everything. Pair it with our matching Girls Pink Bow Tee or Teen Pink Bow Tee and Pink Bow High Tops for a sweet, coordinated look. More of a blue girl? The matching bow tee also comes in blue—pair it with the same white skirt for a fresh coastal-preppy vibe.
3. Relaxed Denim
Not every preppy outfit needs a skirt. Relaxed straight-leg jeans make bows, cherries, and feminine graphics feel more casual and modern. Try light-wash jeans with a Preppy Girl Social Club Tee and high tops. Add a bow scrunchie or statement tote, and you're done.
4. Statement High Tops
Classic preppy style is known for loafers, but we're making room for high-tops. Doodles & Saffron Pink Bow, Cherry Bow, Blue Toile Floral High Tops, and Blue Floral High Tops add personality without making an outfit difficult to wear. Let the shoes be the statement by pairing them with simple jeans and a tee. Or go full matching with: Pink Bow Tee + white skirt + Pink Bow High Tops.
5. A Statement Tote
A tote is practical, but that doesn't mean it needs to be boring. The Doodles & Saffron Pink Bow Tote can coordinate with the matching Pink Bow Tee and High Tops. Want less matching? Carry the bow tote with a simple white tee and jeans instead. One statement print can completely change a basic outfit.
6. Bows, Obviously
If you're building a modern preppy wardrobe, you need at least one bow moment. Try a bow scrunchie, bow tee, bow sneakers, backpack, tote, or phone case. And bows don't have to be pink. Blue bows can create a crisp coastal-preppy look, while cherry-red bows add a playful pop of color. The trick is balance. One or two bow details can make a simple outfit feel instantly styled.
7. A Cute Backpack
Your backpack is something you may carry almost every day, so make it part of your style. Doodles & Saffron designs like Preppy Girl Social Club backpacks, Cherry Girl Social Club, Blue Preppy Bow, Pretty Girl Energy, and Main Character Energy let your school accessories have personality too. Try repeating the color of one backpack somewhere else in your outfit. A blue backpack with a blue bow phone case? Cute and coordinated without being too matchy.
8. A Preppy Water Bottle
Yes, we're counting your water bottle as an accessory. Doodles & Saffron water bottles feature designs such as Preppy Girl Social Club, Cherry Girl, Blue Preppy Girl, Girl Power, and Volleyball Y2K. Choose one that coordinates with your backpack or favorite collection. It's a small detail, but those little details are what make an aesthetic feel complete.
9. A Phone Case That Matches Your Vibe
Your phone is always around, so your case might as well be cute. Try a Pink Bow phone case for coquette-preppy style or a Blue Bow design for a coastal look. If you're more Y2K than classic preppy, a collage or checkered design can give your outfit a completely different personality. Your phone case doesn't have to perfectly match your clothes. Repeating just one color is enough to connect everything.
10. Your Signature Print
This is the secret to making preppy style feel like your style.
Choose one theme you love:
🎀 Pink Bows
💙 Blue Preppy
🍒 Cherries
🌸 Florals
✨ Y2K Collage
Then collect a few pieces that work together. For example, a Pink Bow Tee, Pink Bow Tote, and Pink Bow High Tops can be worn together for a full matching moment—or separately with basics to create three completely different outfits.
That's much more useful than buying random pieces that don't work together.
How to Make Preppy Style Your Own
You don't need to follow every trend. Start with basics you already have—jeans, a white skirt, simple tees, or a sweatshirt—and add a few pieces that show your personality. Maybe you're the pink bow girl. Maybe you're all about blue toile and coastal prep. Maybe cherries are your thing. Or maybe your version of preppy includes bright Y2K graphics and maximalist sneakers. There isn't one correct way to do it.
The Preppy Girl Starter List
Your perfect starter wardrobe could be as simple as:
1 graphic tee
1 white tennis skirt
1 pair of relaxed jeans
1 pair of statement high tops
1 tote
1 bow accessory
1 backpack
1 water bottle
1 phone case
1 signature print you love
Mix them instead of wearing the same combination every time. That's how a smaller wardrobe can create lots of different looks.
Final Vibe Check
Modern preppy style is polished without being boring. Mix the classics with pieces that have personality. Wear the tennis skirt with high tops. Pair relaxed jeans with a bow tee. Match your backpack to your water bottle.
At Doodles & Saffron, we think the best preppy outfits should feel colorful, confident, playful, and completely your own. Pick your favorite print. Add the high tops. And don't forget the bow.
