12 Awesome Preppy Birthday Party Ideas (2024)

Have you always loved the simplicity and class of the preppy style and looking for preppy birthday party ideas to theme your next birthday celebration? Preppy style may have taken a backseat to hipster and athleisure fashion over the last decades, but it’s back with a fresh face and having a major moment. So what better occasion to get your kicks than a preppy-themed birthday bash?

While you’re deciding how to plan your party, we’re here to help. We’ve put together a list of preppy birthday party ideas to help you plan the bees’ knees of birthday bashes! Along with birthday party ideas, Peerspace can also connect you to birthday party venues perfect for themed soirees, including preppy parties. More on that ahead alongside the rest of our preppy birthday party ideas!

1. Book a birthday party venue that would make any preppy proud on Peerspace

One of the first things you’ll need to decide on is a venue for your preppy birthday party. Make booking your venue a breeze with Peerspace, the internet’s largest peer-to-peer venue rental network.

Just enter the location and date of your party and you can browse through listings of unique spaces, from mansions to gardens to lofts, and more. With Peerspace, you can view pro photos of the space, read reviews from recent renters, and communicate directly with the host, so you know just what to expect for your event. 

Nothing says stylishly preppy like this mod, vintage-styled home in Clearwater, Florida, with the clean geometric designs of the Mad Men aesthetic of the 1950s and 60s. Accented with fabulous vintage furniture pieces, this space effortlessly possesses the poshness and class to be the perfect space for a preppy birthday party. Your guests can mingle while they take in the view of the pond through the floor-to-ceiling windows or from the deck. Serving refreshments? Then make use of the full kitchen equipped with restaurant-grade appliances. 

2. See you at the club …

The country club, that is! For a preppy birthday party idea that oozes class, then look no further than this gorgeous country club with 360 views in Oklahoma City, OK. Traverse the fair green and find yourself at a country club surrounded by 360-degree views of lush greenery. Host your event in the large banquet room with its dance floor, stunning views, and a capacity of up to 200.

3. The sweater is everything

The preppy style originated around the turn of the 20th century, partly as a status symbol for preparatory school fellows. With its signature tidy and groomed look, the style really took hold in the 1950s, saw a major comeback in the 1980s, and is still alive and well today! 

Through the decades of preppy style, one thing has remained timelessly consistent: the knit sweater. You can go for the classic cardigan or pullover, or even a sweater vest. Then, layer it over a collared shirt or dress, or simply tie it over your shoulders. Choose a pastel color, especially pink, to lock in an instantly preppy look.

Check out these 90s themed party ideas for adults for more flashback fun!

4. Preppy life is all about patterns, prints, and pastels

You can’t go wrong with pastels at a preppy-themed birthday event – but don’t be afraid to embrace the classic prints that preppy fashion adores. Polka dots and checkered patterns are definitively preppy patterns. Or add a splash of plaid or argyle to your scarf, sweater, or blazer – whatever suits your fancy!

5. Set a party dress code of contemporary preppy style fashions 

Today’s design breathes fresh life into preppy style while drawing from the same fashionably smart foundations. Stalwart pieces such as collared shirts and fitted capri pants are steadfastly thriving with a juicy added flair of floral prints and patterns. For this look, consider a slick ponytail, side part, or combed-back hairstyle, and add an accessory with a splash of bright color. Headbands are also fantastic for achieving the perfect preppy look.

6. Or go retro preppy and be square at the sock hop

Let the poodle skirts swirl and channel the 1950s energy of the movies “Grease” or Pleasantville for this preppy birthday party idea. Have guests dress as their favorite 1950s preppy icon, and host it at this fabulously preppy retro diner space in San Francisco, CA. With its checkered floor, fabulously red stools, and pastel walls, you’ll be transported back to the height of preppy times. Serve a tower of cupcakes, and have plenty of cat eye and horn-rimmed glasses for your guests to wear.

7. Be totally preppy in the Valley

The fashion of the 1990s is decidedly back! For a super fun preppy birthday party idea, throw a “Clueless”-themed party and invite your guests to come in 90s Valley preppy fashion. Think blazers and vests, plaid pleated miniskirts, khakis, and don’t forget the shiny lip gloss. Even better, add a hat with a flower. Send your guests home with Cher’s signature pen with a feather pompom on top. As if you had something better to do! 

No matter how you intend to incorporate 90s preppy looks into your wardrobe, make sure you do it at Plastic Peach, a retro 80s and 90s-inspired apartment in Wilmington, NC. This amazing 700-square-foot home offers you room after room of 80s and 90s decor that just so happens to suit the preppy aesthetic!

8. Opt for a nautical preppy theme a la the 70s

Let the current take you down the yacht rock stream and dip your toe into some 1970s nautical leisure wear for a fun preppy birthday party idea. Try out some white khakis, leave the top shirt buttons undone, throw on an ascot, and kick back to some of that smooth, soft, sultry 70s rock.

If you’re near Chesapeake Bay, VA, then check out this rural nautical farmhouse in Reedville as the possible setting for your nautical preppy party. It’s an on-theme home that provides you with 1,800 square feet of indoor space and exterior farmland that leads to the Bay itself.

9. Chose a preppy party color scheme based on decade

You can achieve so much messaging with that perfect color scheme. For a preppy birthday party, you could go for a classic black and white theme or use pastel pink along with teal and black. Also use these colors for the decorations, the cake, and even the gift wrap, for a well-rounded and elite prep school look.

Explore the preppy look through the ages using our decades party ideas for all eras guide!

10. Send out totally preppy geometric invitations

Looking for a way to capture your intended guests’ eyes immediately? Then choose an irresistibly stylish retro preppy geometric design for your invitations and your guests won’t forget to save the date! Select diamonds, squares, dots, kidney, or boomerang shapes – you can’t go wrong.

11. Set up preppy flowers in your party venue

Choose pastel-colored flowers to go with your preppy theme. We think bouquets of daisies or mums would work well here to add a nice bit of cheer and that suave aesthetic. 

12. Set up the refreshments preppy style

Be sure to serve some refreshments that add to the preppy vibe of the party. Treat your guests to something in an old-fashioned soda shop glass, like ice cream sundaes or root beer floats with whipped cream and a cherry on top. For beverages, try old-fashioned Coca-Cola bottles, or martinis and cosmos.

Preppy birthday party ideas: conclusion

So there you have it, the best preppy birthday party ideas this side of 1982! To ensure your preppy party is like totally amazing, book a suitable party venue rental through Peerspace inspired by your favorite ideas from this list.

Find unique birthday party venues on Peerspace