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Stocksy
The beginning of fall might mean the end of summer, but that doesn't guarantee the end of perfect pedicures. If you find that it's still warm enough to keep your favorite sandals nearby (or maybe you're a fan of peep toe booties) your toenails will still need some love. Transition from the bright and bold shades of summer to the neutral and moody hues of autumn. From berries, burgundies, and purples to navy blue, browns, and neutrals, these picks deserve a spot in your polish lineup year-round.
Celebrity nail artist, Elle Gerstein, says some of the most popular shades for fall include blue, sage, olive, berry, and gray. She adds that you can always look to the runway for inspiration, too. "What we see on the runway always predicts the trends. It’s been the inspiration for almost every color pallet on the market." Read on as Gerstein and Olivia Van Iderstine of Olive & June share their favorite fall pedicure colors, and what makes them such good polish picks.
Meet the Experts
- Elle Gerstein is a celebrity nail artist.
- Olivia Van Iderstine is a trend expert and VP of Content & Creative for Olive & June.
Burnt Orange
You can never go wrong with a rusty red-orange hue during autumn. The color speaks to all things changing leaves, pumpkin picking, and even apple cider. What's not to love about that?
Ruby Red
Red is one of those classic colors that works all year-round. The trick is to find a shade of the bold color that has cool blue undertones to match the drop in temperature as we head into autumn.
Key Takeaways
- Red nails come in many different varieties, and all of them can be considered timeless.
- Whether it be a true red with blue undertones or a deeper purple-red shade, any variation of the color is going to stun year round.
Metallic Mauve
We stand firm in the belief that you can never, ever go wrong with metallic. While silver is great for winter and gold is a traditionally summer hue, rose gold is the prettiest shade for fall. It has hints of summer's warmth while alluding to autumn's cool arrival. While the color alone is something to marvel at, the fact that this nail polish dries in seconds makes it even more alluring.
Pretty Plum
Another fruity hue that calls autumn home is none other than plum. This pretty purple shade has red and brown undertones, making for a deeply rich option for your next pedi.
Autumn Bronze
Another metallic idea for fall? Bronze, of course. Again, it hints to summer's warm gold, while getting darker in prep for autumn's moody hues. Wear it alone all over your nails or paired with light, non-metallic shades for a fun pedi with lots of depth.
Beautiful Berry
According to Gerstein, berry is autumn shade that never goes out of style. It brings to mind cool trips to the vineyard, hefty glasses of mulled wine, and lest we forget, cranberry season. In other words, when you paint this on your toes, they're sure to bring to mind all your favorite fall festivities.
Edgy Eggplant
Even farther on the dark and moody autumn nail spectrum, we have this rich eggplant hue. The decadent shade is sure to pop against all skin tones, so make sure you're ready for your feet to be a focal point.
Light Gray
It can be hard to break away from your favorite summer white nail polish when fall rolls around, but opting for a light grey can ease the transition. The muted color is chic and fall-esque without being too dramatic.
Byrdie Tip
If you prefer a gel pedicure, get the look with Aprés Nails Light & Shadow Sheer Gel Colour in Daydreaming—a milky, pale grey that will look good on all skin tones.
Pale Pink
We're here to remind you that pastels aren't only for spring. You can rock light pink shades in autumn too, so long as you opt for a slightly dustier take on the pale spectrum.
Understated Olive
As the weather starts to change and the temperatures start to dip, you'll notice summer's bright green leaves taking on a more olive hue before turning red, yellow, and brown. If you love the look, let your toes follow suit with this dusty olive shade.
Neutral
It's always a good idea to switch up your neutral colors every season to keep things fresh. "A neutral shade is always a perfect color for pedicures because they literally go with everything, but in fall, we love a beige neutral (like It's Chilly!) because it's the ideal mix of white, cream, tan, and a dash of pink," says Van Iderstine. "This shade was inspired by a favorite cozy sweater we wear every fall."
Flaming Pumpkin
While the majority of autumn nail shades are berries and browns, you should never shy away from fiery colors of the season. This bold orange hue pumps up the pumpkin and changing leaves we see everywhere while still paying homage to the magic of summer.
Oxblood
Welcoming fall weather means saying hello to our favorite dark shades again. According to Van Iderstine, an oxblood is quintessentially fall, and instantly gives you that autumn vibe. Try Olive & June's Luxe Loafer for a vampy look.
Moody Blue
The end of autumn is a total mood. But blustery, rainy days call for the right shade of blue, and this one pairs beautifully with any shade of neutral or brown in your wardrobe.
Warm Chocolate
There is just something so rich and luxurious about a deep shade of brown in the cooler months, and this moody color flows seamlessly into winter, too.
Minky Brown
"There are always some standout on-trend fall shades every season, and one of the hottest shades for fall is a warm, minky brown. It's super wearable because it's neutral at its core, but a bit more fashion-forward," says Van Iderstine of Olive & June's Shacket polish.
Golden Hour
A perfect match to nature's transition of summer to autumn, this golden mossy shade from Orly as a pedicure pairs perfectly with a more neutral mani, for an overall fall look.