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 out to keep your favorite sandals nearby (or peep toe booties) your nails 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 blue, browns, and neutrals, these picks deserve a spot in your polish lineup.
"Shades we will be seeing overall for fall are blue, sage, olive, berry, and a comeback of gray," says celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein. "What we see on the runway always predicts the trends. It’s been the inspiration for almost every color pallet on the market."
We asked Gerstein and Olivia Van Iderstine of Olive & June to share their favorite fall pedicure colors, and what make them such a good shade for the season.
Meet the Expert
- Elle Gerstein is a celebrity nail artist.
- Olivia Van Iderstine is a trend expert and VP of Content & Creative for Olive & June.
Keep scrolling to see their faves for the season and why these colors work so well for fall.
Burnt Orange
You can never go wrong with smoldering orange in autumn. The color speaks to all things changing leaves, pumpkin picking, and even apple cider. What's not to love about that?
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 is 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
Berry is another 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.
Seductive Spice
Not quite burgundy and not quite brown, this spicy nail color speaks to chai tea lattes, cinnamon, and just about every other delicious fall beverage you can think of. While it looks great on its own, it's also lovely paired with pale pink hues.
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 gray can ease the transition. The muted color is chic and fall-esque without being too dramatic.
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 Olivia 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 vibes 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 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.