The 'preppy' look is changing, and it involves a lot more pink and bowties

• The look and meaning of preppy fashion have shifted multiple times over the decades.
• A new variant of preppy has gone viral online. And it involves pink clothing, cartoons, ribbons, and bowties.
• Many older users with a different association to "preppy" are baffled by the change.

Preppy fashion has changed significantly over the decades, and it's going through another shift in the 2020s.

The newest variant of "preppy," led mostly by Gen Alpha over the last year, refers to bright clothing, lots of pink, and specific accessories like ribbons, bowties, and Stanley water bottles. TikTokers have described the new look as "very girly" and "colorful," involving smiley-face designs and brands like Lululemon.