The 16 Prettiest Nail Colours We Keep Seeing on the Fashion Set

There's a lot to consider when selecting the right nail polish. Does it complement your skin tone? Is it versatile enough to wear with your favourite clothes? Does it look cheap? While it's typically pretty simple to answer all these questions ourselves, there's also a very stylish crew we can look to for nail inspiration: the fashion set.

This flock of street style models, bloggers, and cool girls are not only clued into the most of-the-moment sartorial selections, but they've also got a finger on the pulse of the prettiest and often most unexpected nail colours out there. They've got eyes for aesthetics, so it makes perfect sense that such good taste would extend to the tips of their fingers.

Consider this your go-to guide of polishes you've been overlooking, and check out the 16 pretty nail colours we see fashion girls wearing all the time. Don't forget to screenshot your favourites and shop the polishes to try them out for yourself.

#1: Crimson

Is there anything chicer than a classic red manicure? Whether you opt for a deep Bordeaux, pillbox red or bright tomato, there's a shade of red to suit your personality, skin tone and the seasons. But crimson is the colour we're seeing everywhere right now, no doubt for its ability to go with everything in your wardrobe, as well as making your fingertips look ever so expensive. Ensure you apply a great top coat to keep your crimson nails glossy and chip-free for as long as possible.

#2: Olive Green

It might not be the most obvious colour that springs to mind, but that's exactly why we love it. This muted green hue is unexpected yet so cool and beautiful. It's one of those colours that transitions well across the seasons, so it is totally worth investing in a bottle for your nail collection.

#3: Light Brown

Although it's a step beyond a basic beige, this rich brown colour is still so versatile. We love it paired with a tonal outfit. Whether you opt for chocolate, cappuccino or caramel, there's a hue to suit all skin tones. For the perfect shade for you, look for a brown colour that is a couple of shades lighter than your skin tone.

#4: White Pearl

This soft, shimmery glaze is totally elevated. This trend looks its best with a sheer wash of shimmer applied over bare nails or a neutral hue. Think of it as a highlighter for your nails and watch your fingertips glow as they catch the light. If you want to ramp it up, go for two layers for a metallic finish.

#5: Yellow Chiffon

Custard, but make it fashion. We're seeing yellow nails everywhere at the moment, and it's no surprise why. Who wouldn't want this mood-boosting hue on their fingertips? Yellow nails instantly add cheer to your hands and it is surprisingly versatile, too. To tap into this trend, we recommend choosing a bright yellow hue—this trend is all about standing out and making a statement.

#6: Lime Green

Green's reign as a fashion-insider colour is still going strong, and we're so here for it. It's the perfect nod to all of the Bottega green we're seeing lately. This highlighter hue is bold and surprisingly chic. Make sure you apply two thin layers of colour for maximum impact and staying power.

#7: Coral

This fun orangey-red is a more playful take on a classic crimson manicure. It's softer than red but still has impact, making it a pretty shade for nails and toes. 

#8: Sand

This standout neutral makes a statement without going overboard. It's a lot more subdued than brown or grey, making it the perfect middle-ground if you find those shades don't typically work for your skin tone. This looks particularly chic paired with an all-white outfit and gold jewellery.

#9: Lilac

This is the perfect spring manicure colour, and feels more modern compared to other pastel hues. We love clashing this pretty colour with summer brights such as yellow and green to really make this nail hue stand out. 

#10: Deep Grey

We love this blue-grey colour hybrid, which is the perfect choice if you want something a bit different to classic nail polish shades. It looks equally chic paired with tailoring in autumn and winter as it does with a summer dress in the sunshine.

#11: Blush Pink

It doesn't get much prettier than this delicate pink. When you really can't decide what colour to go for, you can always fall back on blush pink. It's a neutral shade that pairs well with everything, and bonus: Its subtlety means it is a forgiving shade for chipping, meaning you can maximise the length of your manicure.

#12: Dark Plum

Deep plum nail colour is an unexpected shade which looks really stylish, so wear this shade if you want to be in the know. It's jammier than Bordeaux red and inkier than purple, landing somewhere in-between the shades. As it's such a deep hue, you'll want to be meticulous with application—keep some nail polish correction handy for any mistakes.

#13: Baby Blue

A soft pastel is always a good idea. This dreamy shade brightens up hands and looks just as good on long nails as it does on short nails, and looks great paired with pastel outfits as well.

#14: Opaque Peach

We have so much time for peach nails. There's a shade to suit everyone, whether you prefer a peaches and cream hue or a vibrant jelly bean. This is another great colour that goes with everything and looks so pretty on toes, too.

#15: Espresso

From coats to nail polish, deep brown is so in right now. If you find black nail varnish to be a tad too stark, then espresso is ideal. It takes the contrast down a notch with warmer tones that still make a statement.

#16: Starry Black

Galaxy black nails aren't just for party season. This is the ideal hue for a night out and taps into the night luxe trend we're seeing everywhere at the moment. Glitter polishes are very long-lasting but can take a little longer to remove. We recommend buying a quality nail polish remover to make the job smoother.