50+ Preppy Things to Draw: Easy & Cute Ideas for Your Aesthetic Sketchbook

1. Designer Handbag SUPER EASY

Why it's perfect for beginners: Handbags are basically just rectangles with some added details and a handling. Forehead your drawings look great and very prepared.

Step-by-step guide: Start with a rectangular or trapezoidal shape to form the body of the bag. Add a straight or round handle to the top. Draw a closing flap using a line. Add some details, perhaps a logo, a clasp, some quilting. To create a little more dimension, shade one side a little darker.

Pro tip: Add to the look of the piece by putting flowers which peep out from the top or a pair of sunglasses that are resting on the bag!

2. Preppy Backpack with Heart Detail EASY

How to draw: Go for a rounded rectangle for the main section. At the base put in a smaller rounded rectangle for the front pocket. For the straps draw two curved lines from the top. Also include a heart design on the front pocket. Don’t forget the zipper details and a small bow charm.

Preppy elements to include: Heart patches, initial charms, preppy brand logos, or plaid patterns on the pockets.

3. Tote Bag with "New York" or City Name SUPER EASY

Quick drawing method:Draw a large rectangle with rounded edges. At the top add two parallel curved lines for handles. In the center write in your favorite city name.

Personal touch: I tell my students to use their dream travel destination or college city which in turn gives the drawing a personal touch!

4. Loafers with Chain Detail EASY

Why preppy artists love drawing shoes: Loafers are a classic in preppy fashion and also very easy to render from a side view. They put into perspective the elements of shoe structure in a very approachable way.

Drawing technique: Start with a circle for the toe section. From that circle extend out a curved line which becomes the heel. Put in a horizontal line at the top which is the vamp. Include the characteristic chain or horsebit across the vamp. Don’t forget the stitch details around the edges. Darken the bottom section to represent the sole.

5. Ballet Flats with Bow SUPER EASY

Simple steps: Draw out a curved flat shoe shape (like a smile). At the toe put in a small bow. Draw a line inside which represents the shoe opening. Put in some tiny stitch details. Very light shading to suggest dimension.

Variation idea: Try drawing the shoes from different angles or as a pair!

10. Coffee Cup with Bow Sleeve SUPER EASY

Why this is so popular: Coffee culture is very large in the preppy style, and we see that a bow detail is just the final touch that makes it too cute. I am constantly asked to draw this very cute preppy things in my classes!

How to draw it: First off, draw 2 parallel vertical lines that go out a little (a cup shape). For the base, connect the ends of those lines with a curved line. Add a lid to the top which has a small oval for the drink hole. Also put in a design on the side. Then add a bow to the sleeve. And for the finishing touch add some steam coming out of the top.

Make it aesthetic: Add hearts, stars, or flowers floating around the cup!

11. Iced Drink in Clear Cup EASY

Drawing steps: Drawing steps: Start by making a tapering cylinder shape (wider at the top). Add a dome lid on top. Sketch a straw poking through. Add ice cubes inside (little rectangles at different angles). Draw a liquid line below the ice. Add some condensation dots on the outside for realism. Great for bullet journal spreads: I really enjoy drawing this in a bullet journal. I think it looks really nice and I like how it is functional.

15. Planner with Bow Pen EASY

Perfect for bullet journal spreads: This is one of my favorite aesthetic preppy things to draw because it's both decorative and functional-looking!

How to draw: Make a Square with a Spiral Binding (On The Left) and Add “Monday” or a Date to the Top. Create Horizontal Lines For Tasks, Place a Pen Diagonally Across the Planner, Add a Bow Detail to the Pen and Include Small Accessories (Sunglasses, Paper Clip & Phone) So They Are Laying Next to the Planner.

Skill learned: Composition and arranging multiple objects harmoniously.

20. Perfume Bottle EASY

Why perfume bottles are great for beginners: They present simple geometric shapes which also feature elegant details that which teach you of symmetry and finesse.

Drawing technique: For the main body of the bottle use a rectangle. For the neck use a narrower rectangle on top. For the cap which may be round, square or detailed draw that out. In the center add a label which may say “Parfum” or “No. 5”. Also draw in the liquid level. To bring in highlights which show glass reflection add in small white spaces.

Make it preppy: Use classic shapes and add bow details on the bottle or cap!

21. Lipstick SUPER EASY

Simple steps: Beginning with a basic cylinder shape as your lipstick container's structure, an oval that is angled down is added on the container to represent the lipstick tip. The top of the lipstick tube is separated from the bottom by drawing a line across. Next all information about the company or brand name and any patterns are drawn or printed on to your drawing of the lipstick container, and this will allow artists to learn how to shade accurately in order to give a realistic look to a metallic object.

26. Pearl Necklace & Earrings Set EASY

Classic preppy elegance: Pearls are an icon of classic "preppy" style, and drawing pearl jewelry provides a way to practice dimensional drawing using a very simple round form.

How to draw: Start with a line that curves into the shape of a necklace, then add pearls by drawing evenly spaced round "dots" along the line you have drawn for your necklace. For the earrings, draw two small circles with tiny lines that extend vertically upward to highlight the posts of the earrings. Add a glimmer effect to your pearls by drawing a small white dot to each pearl, and shade the underside of the pearl with a darker shading technique.

30. Cozy Bedroom Scene MEDIUM

Why room scenes are valuable: Drawing complete room scenes allows the sketcher to understand composition and perspective and also how to combine several different pieces of preppy home decor into a single ensemble.

Elements to include: Use at least a bed with ruffled bedding and several pillows; a nightstand with a lamp; fairy lights; photographs/artwork; a throw or blanket; romance or nightly reading novels stacked on nightstand, dually representing warmth, coziness, and style.

Personal note: My students love adding their own room details, it makes the drawing feel personal and special!

31. Vanity with Mirror MEDIUM

Drawing approach: Begin with a simple rectangular shape for the surface of your table/desk. Place a large round or oval mirror on it or installed above it. Add beauty items such as perfume bottles, cosmetics, and jewelry boxes to the tables/work surface. Add a miniature stool at the front of it. To give visual interest, incorporate details into the table or desk, e.g., drawer pulls.

35. Rose Bouquet EASY

Step-by-step: Each rose will begin as a spiral in the center and then have petals added (the petals should appear like curved U's and progressively get larger). Draw 5 to 7 roses together as a bunch. After the roses are created, use pointed ovals to add the leaves in between. Lastly, draw a ribbon holding the stems together, along with a few smaller flowers or ‘baby's breath’ to fill in the bouquet.

36. Flower Vase EASY

Quick method: Draw a vase shape (cylinder, rectangle, or curved). Fill it with various flower heads peeking out. Add leaves and stems. Draw water line inside the vase.

47. School Uniform EASY

Classic preppy element: Draw a sweater with plaid skirt laid out flat. Add collar details, school crest, and knee-high socks nearby.