Summer is like a class president—the vibes are straight A’s, they’re friends with everyone, and have bright pink, perky pedicures to match their manis. Fall pedicure colors are all about embracing a moody, too-cool-for-school, “I knew about that band before they were on the radio” vibe.
Subtle shimmer and jelly finishes were bubbly and fun, but moody, autumn us prefers a harder, rock ’n’ roll, metallic pedicure. Summer us couldn’t get enough of Aperol spritz coral. Fall us drinks only red wine and gets the pedicure to match, thank you very much. And while a sky blue pedicure was sweet and perky, navy blue and forest green give transfer-student-with-a-sexy-dark-secret mystery.
With these moody fall pedicure colors, the seasonal affective disorder will be too intimidated to come near you. Below, we asked the experts what colors we should try for cooler (in temperature and aesthetic) days.
Meet the experts:
Black
There are a few universal truths about fall: First, summer is over on August 31, no matter how hot it is (or what Earth’s axis and the solar equinox say). Second, it’s never too soon to decorate for Halloween. Third, the appropriate transitional jacket is a leather moto jacket. We don’t make the rules.
To match, you’ll want another fall classic: a punky black pedicure. For a pure black pedi, try Nailtopia Plant Based Nail Lacquer in Respect or Korres Gel Effect Nail Color in Black. If you want a little black magic and chrome sprinkled in, try Pleasing Nail Polish in Moonlit Pond.
Metallic Silver
This metallic silver pedicure? She simply doesn’t have time for you. It’s Fashion Week. She’s busy being photographed and getting seated at Carbone (no reservation needed). “These shades are particularly stunning on medium to dark skin tones,” says nail artist Jin Soon Choi. We like Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer in Silver Lamé or Emilie Heathe Nail Artist Polish in Mr. M. If you have a lighter skin tone, then a deeper titanium silver like Orly Nail Polish in Shine will provide more pop and contrast.
Rose Gold
Choi also likes a flirtier metallic rose gold pedicure. (She’s still busy, but she’ll stop to talk to her fans—and the spicy rigatoni at Carbone is a little too spicy for her delicate palate.) For an extra-pink hue, try Revlon Nail Enamel in Desirable. If you like your rose gold to skew more gold than pink, we suggest Ciaté London Plant Pots in Good As Gold. And of course, if you want it just right, Lakur by Londontown Nail Polish in Kissed by Rose Gold is the best of both worlds.
Deep Burgundy
Once summer starts to fade, our tastes naturally move from bright pinot grigios and sauvignon blancs to warming merlots and cabernets. The same goes for our toes, says Choi: “Deep red is a sophisticated and universally flattering option.” On the wine list? True burgundy reds like JINsoon nail polish in Audacity or Manicurist Paris in Hollyhock, or even a fruitier purple red like Gelcare Nail Polish in Fig.
Dusty Rose
Pink roses can bloom through late fall, so while tulips and petunias hibernate until next spring, you can still count on this dusty neutral pink to show up on toes until the first frost. Apres Nail Light and Shadow Gel Couleur ranges from sheer pink to a mauve-y opaque depending on how many coats you paint on, Sally Hansen Vegan Nail Polish is a dusty nude for the pink-averse, and Zoya Nail Polish in Shimmer is perfect if you like your roses with a little sparkling morning dew on them.
Chocolate
Lemon bars are for summer barbecues, but now that we’re spending more cozy nights in, we’re craving richer treats (and pedicures) like fudge brownies and spiked hot chocolate. “Cacao brown is a great pedicure choice for those who want a darker shade but prefer a [subtler color],” says Choi. OPI Nail Lacquer in Purrrride makes for perfect bittersweet dark chocolate nails, while Butter London Patent Shine Nail Lacquer Vernis in Boozy Chocolate has a warm, milk chocolate hue. If you prefer a stiffer dessert, Mooncat Nail Polish in Dark Horse is the same chestnut color as an espresso martini with a shimmery cinnamon finish.
Matcha
Not everyone loves pumpkin spice lattes. If matcha is more your speed, a sage green pedicure to match is a perfect pick-me-up. “[This is] a great transition shade between summer and fall since it adds a pop of color without being too overpowering for fall palettes,” says Mazz Hanna, founder and CEO of Nailing Hollywood. Try Ella + Mila Nail Polish in Evergreen and Le Mini Macaron in Smoky Matcha for a deeper fall hue, or Nailberry Nail Lacquer in Minty Fresh for more of a light pistachio shade.
Forest Green
Nail artist Morgan Dixon likes a moodier green for fall pedicures. She recommends Madam Glam Gel Polish in Boy Bye for a true forest green. We also like Pacifica Plant Magic in London Tomboy if your forest is less deciduous and more blue-green tropical, and Mineral Fusion Nail Polish in Smoke and Mirrors for a sexy serpentine green.
Plum
Spring and summer’s lavender pedicures have matured into smoky plums for fall, says Hanna, who likes Peacci Nail Polish in April for a transitional shade if you’re not totally ready to say goodbye to warm weather colors. If you’re already in Doc Martens and a sweater, you can skip ahead to deeper eggplant hues like 100% Pure Nail Polish in Blackberry Woods or CND Vinylux Longwear Nail Polish in Plum Paisley.
Taupe
If you were eschewing neon pedicures this summer and opting for subtler jelly pinks then muted taupe is a natural evolution for fall. Look for something that “falls somewhere between brown and gray,” says Hanna. Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Color Nail Polish in Feeling Myself is a great pinkish-brown nude, while Gucci Vernis à Ongles Nail Polish in Annabel Rose is more of a true khaki taupe. If you want a cooler polish with a gray hue, Côte Nail Polish in No. 125 looks super clean on toes.
Amber
There’s something kind of magical about amber. Not in the Jurassic Park mosquito kind of way (we saw how that worked out), more in a warm, glowy pedicure kind of way. Hanna expects to see the color a lot this fall, especially for those who are bored by typical jewel tones and royal hues. Paintbox Nail Lacquer in Like Camel is a great warm orange, while Hermès Nail Enamel in Jaune Imperial captures more of the topaz-citrine side of amber. If you really want the multidimensional look of actual fossilized resin, ILNP Magnetic Nail Polish in Amber (used with a magnet wand) will give you a hypnotizing shimmer.
Navy
Navy is an honorary neutral once September hits. It goes just as well with a pair of leggings and a fisherman knit sweater as it does with an evening gown. Sienna Byron Bay Nail Lacquer in Stargazer is a moody, almost-black blue if you want to dip your toe (pun intended) into just a hint of color. For those who prefer a true blue, Dior Vernis Glossy Nail Polish in Denim is a trusty blue jean color, while Wet N’ Wild Fast Dry AF Nail Polish in Putting on Airs is a classic nautical navy.
Glazed Neutrals
Celebrity manicurist Stephanie Stone expects to see the glazed nail trend on toes this fall. The look checks every box: “It’s playful, but it’s also professional. It’s shimmery, but it’s also neutral,” she says. She recommends Essie Special Effects Nail Polish in Gilded Galaxy, which she says looks just like the chrome powder effect we know and love. We also like Addiction Tokyo Nail Polish in Night Spell for a glazed finish over a deeper mauve base or Habit Cosmetics Vegan Nail Polish in 11 Pearl of a Girl for more of an opal pearlescence.
Orchid Pink
Just because it’s fall, doesn’t mean you have to swear off perky colors. “Bright orchid pink is the perfect pop of color to brighten your day when the weather starts to get a little drearier,” says Stone. “Though the polish is bright, the shade is a little more subdued, which is perfect for fall.” Static Nails Liquid Glass Lacquer in Regulation Hottie and Chanel Les Vernis Nail Polish in Activiste are perfect rich magentas. But if you want to supercharge your pedicure with a little more oomph, Cirque Colors Nail Polish in Plastik is also a blue-hued pink but looks as if you plugged it into an outlet.