We may be at the tail end of summer and rapidly approaching fall, but that doesn’t mean you have to put your open-toed shoes away completely—at least not yet. Sandals are still fair game for those uncharacteristically warm autumn days, and even when your feet are hidden in fuzzy socks and warm boots, it’s nice to know that underneath the layers, your toenails are perfectly pedicured.
Shop the Best Pedicure Colors
This season, take a cue from Sigourney Nuñez, a celebrity nail artist who counts Harry Styles and Jodie Turner-Smith among her clients. “I pick a pedicure color that makes me feel something,” she says. “Color can boost our mood and inspire a shift in perspective, so as we transition into fall, I think about what’s going to make me feel present to the season.” She gravitates towards deep browns, regal blues, and rusty orange polishes.
Seriah Leslie, a nail technician at Young LDN, looks to earth tones. “Greens will especially be very on trend this fall,” she predicts. Don’t be afraid to consider the full gamut of the hue, from bamboo to dark olive.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up 11 trendy toe polish colors for your next pedicure appointment.
Related: The Best Nail Drills for Expert-Level Buffing and Shaping
Chocolate brown was all the rage last fall—thanks in part to Hailey Bieber’s viral “chocolate-glazed” doughnut nails—and it’s just as popular this time around. Nuñez especially loves Pleasing’s rich take because it dries matte for an unexpected twist.
“Chanel’s Rouge Noir is always a color people rush back to when fall starts, as it’s a beautiful deep red for all skin tones,” says Leslie. Apply two coats for a more red hue, and three coats for an extra dark look.
The “quiet luxury” trend is not just for clothes. When it comes to your toes, tap into an elevated look with a gorgeous neutral shade like Gucci’s Annabel Rose.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
You can’t go wrong with any shade of orange, and this earthy terracotta from Sally Hansen is just muted enough for the season. “It’s like a vibey pumpkin spice latte,” says Nuñez.
Leslie calls Nailberry’s Love You Very Matcha the “khaki green of my dreams.” It’s deeply pigmented with a high-shine fashion.
You don’t have to give up pinks for the cooler seasons. Just lean into dustier shades like Hermès’s Rose Baltique for a more autumnal feel.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
If you’re feeling daring, Leslie recommends black nail polish. “It’s always a pedicure favorite of mine, as the depth is unbeatable,” she says.
For a blend of orange and brown, look to a sheer bronze like OPI’s #Virgoals. It’s buildable, so you can make the shade as sheer or as opaque as you’d like, and “it has a subtle gold and green shimmer for a multidimensional finish,” adds Nuñez.
Leslie loves Nail Kind’s Nude & Proud for its versatility. “It’s the perfect nude for all skin tones, with a hint of brown and an extra touch of sparkle,” she says.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
J. Hannah’s midnight blue is a moody take on Matisse blue. Art majors probably already clocked the shade name.
If you lean more subtle, consider a pale gray like Just for Kicks, a favorite of Nuñez’s from Essie’s Expressie line, which the nail artist says dries to the touch in just five minutes if you apply thin coats—no base coat or top coat necessary.
Meet the Experts
Sigourney Nuñez is a celebrity nail artist based in Los Angeles, California.
Seriah Leslie is a nail technician at Young LDN in London, United Kingdom.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Why trust Harper’s BAZAAR?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
Daise Bedolla
Daise Bedolla is a contributing beauty writer with a pulse on the latest trends, major and emerging brands, and buzzy products. Her work spans New York magazine’s The Cut, Glossier’s Into the Gloss, Vogue magazine, Instagram’s @shop, and more.