There’s something truly special about fall nail designs. Maybe it’s our love for autumn—give us cozy sweater weather, apple picking, colorful leaves, Halloween, and holiday anticipation over summer’s heat and humidity any day—but these seasonal manicures always become our favorites.

This fall brings the rich, warm colors we associate with cooler weather: deep burgundy, chocolate brown, burnt orange, and earthy tones. You’ll also see plenty of metallic accents, rhinestones, and jeweled details to elevate your manicures.

When it comes to nail art, the best design is the one you adore. But if you need inspiration, you’re in the right place. Below, you’ll find 41 fall nail ideas to try once the temperature drops. Browse through and pick your favorite to bring to your manicurist after Labor Day.

### Key Fall 2025 Nail Trends
This season is all about bold, playful details. Think pearl accents, polka dots, and glossy jelly finishes flooding your social feeds. You’ll also see a mix of cozy neutrals, moody shades, and high-shine chrome nails.

### ‘90s Square Nails
Move over, almond nails—celebrity nail artist Gina Edwards predicts a shift toward angular, square-shaped tips this fall. Embrace the ‘90s revival with a sharp, statement-making square manicure.

### French Square
Nothing screams ‘90s nostalgia like a classic French manicure. For a modern fall twist, try a micro French tip on square nails for a clean, minimalist look. We’re also loving two-toned variations, like this chic purple and lilac combo.

### 3D Nail Sculptures
Intricate and eye-catching, 3D sculpted nails are set to dominate this season, according to celebrity nail artist Betina R. Goldstein. For a DIY version, she recommends using sculpting gel and a mixing spatula to shape your designs.

### Billiard Ball Nails
These striped, colorful nails inspired by pool balls are playful and sporty. The detailed decals add a fun, unexpected touch to a simple manicure.

### Autumn Jelly Nails
Jelly nails are irresistible—their sheer, glossy finish is endlessly fun. Edwards suggests warm shades from Essie’s Jelly Gloss collection for a translucent, glass-like effect. “Perfect for layering or wearing alone,” she says.

### Blushing Jelly
Sheer bubblegum pink nails with a soft, flushed effect take jelly manicures to the next level. It’s a sweet, versatile look that pairs with everything.

### Dark Aura Nails
Aura nails are always a win, but this fall, celebrity manicurist Brittney Boyce recommends deeper, moodier hues for a cozier vibe. For an easy ombré effect, she suggests using Aprés Nail’s Aer Gel Machine—even beginners can master it quickly.

### Pulsing Energy Nails
A deep fuchsia aura nail is striking on its own, but abstract lines layered on top make it even more mesmerizing. This edgy look could easily double as the perfect Halloween manicure.

### Food-Inspired Nail Art
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Fruit-Inspired Nails
This fall, Goldstein predicts playful fruit art and designs will be big, with seasonal twists on delicious fall and winter themes.

Why limit yourself to one food-inspired look? Take inspiration from your favorite farmer’s market and try minimalist fruit decals on bare nails for a chic, understated manicure.

Rich Wine Shades
Nothing says fall like a deep burgundy nail. Edwards loves wine-colored nails for every trend—whether it’s cat-eye jelly nails or a simple full-coverage look.

Geometric Accents
Want an easy way to elevate your mani? Experiment with different wine tones and layer on geometric shapes for a modern twist.

Chrome French Tips
Give classic French tips a modern upgrade with a shiny chrome effect. Since chrome can be tricky to DIY, Boyce recommends using Aprés Nail’s New Year Wishes, which has silver foil glitter for that metallic finish.

Disco Fever
Channel your inner ‘70s vibe with groovy chrome French tips. These disco-inspired nails add instant glam to any look.

Negative Space French Tips
This style strikes the perfect balance between minimal and eye-catching. Outline the tips with silver metallic shimmer against a bare base for a striking contrast.

Maximalist Nail Art
Go bold this fall—experts agree it’s the perfect season for embellished nails. Edwards suggests using KISS press-ons, like Majestic Nails, which feature bows and jewels for a stunning at-home manicure.

Jewel Embellishments
For true maximalism, try bold jewel decals. Use an emerald-like stone as the centerpiece and add smaller embellishments for ultra-glam nails.

Charmed Manicures
Boyce loves adding charms for an edgy touch—like the gothic details she once used on Megan Fox’s long black nails.

Dangling Charms
Another Megan Fox favorite: long metallic nails with dangling charms at the tips—fun and eye-catching.

Tortoiseshell Jelly Nails
Goldstein is a fan of jelly nails for fall, especially in tortoiseshell brown. For this look, she mixes two parts Chanel Le Gel Coat Longwear Top Coat with one part Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Faun for a glass-like finish. A flat brush, like the Doublemoss Arte Y, helps distribute the color evenly.

Mix-and-Match Designs
Pair a soft pastel blue with classic tortoiseshell for a fresh contrast. Add a French tip for an unexpected pop of color.

Apple Green Jelly
For cooler weather, Goldstein loves bright green jelly nails. Her pick? Chanel’s new shade, Rêveuse—a perfect apple-green hue.

Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!Alien Vibes
We can’t stop thinking about Hailey Bieber’s nail look—thankfully, it’s perfect for fall. Amp it up with abstract metallic lines for a futuristic manicure.

Ocean Blue
A deep, rich blue is a must for autumn. Goldstein suggests Pleasing’s Hairy Mermaid shade—a vibrant cobalt that elevates any look.

On the Horizon
Inspired by sunset reflections on water, this whimsical design pairs a light metallic blue base with earthy terracotta accents.

A Bug’s Life
Goldstein predicts bug-inspired nail art will be big this fall. These cute beetle designs pop best against bare nails.

Lucky Ladybug
For a less intimidating insect look, try a ladybug on a bare nail—minimal, chic, and said to bring good luck.

Going Metal
Goldstein loves metallic details for fall. Use real gold or silver charms, or create the effect with sculpting gel and chrome powder.

Gold French Tip
At the Prabal SS24 show, Edwards reimagined the French tip with an abstract gold drip effect—expect to see this trend well beyond 2025.

Caramel Jelly
Jelly nails are still going strong. Edwards recommends a warm caramel tint for a cozy, neutral autumn look.

Embellished Tips
Upgrade your French manicure with studded details, like Dua Lipa’s gold-accented tips. Try a kit with pre-made embellishments for an easy finish.

Short Square
For fall nail shapes, Edwards suggests short square nails—a sleek, minimalist choice.

Tortoise Shell
Celebrity nail artist Yoko Sakakura loves tortoise shell designs for fall. Start with a deep brown base (like Essie’s Cargo Cameo) and layer darker shades for texture. A micro black French tip adds a chic touch.

Cheetah Neutral
Sakakura also recommends cheetah prints. Begin with a neutral base (like OPI’s Samoan Sand), then add spots—either full coverage or just along the edges for a bold effect.

Polka Dot Craze
Polka dots are a playful yet timeless choice for fall nails. Keep it classic or mix sizes and colors for extra flair.Polka dots have dominated summer fashion, and they’re likely to stay popular through fall too. For a playful twist, try these Yayoi Kusama-inspired French tips.

Sports Fanatic
Even if you’re not obsessed with sports, a team-themed manicure is an easy way to show some spirit. Not sure which team to support? Take inspiration from me with Lakers-themed nails, or simply pick a team with colors you love.

Rosewater Splash
Celebrity nail artist Betina R. Goldstein calls this look a “lip gloss tint” for nails—a soft, sheer pink that suits any occasion. To achieve it, she recommends starting with a thin layer of sheer cream polish as a base, then adding a translucent pink on top.

Pearl Accents
This fall, elevate a simple manicure with pearl embellishments. A metallic chrome base will make the pearls stand out even more.

Soap Nails
Nail artist Tom Bachik predicted soap nails would be a major trend, and it’s easy to see why. This clean, fresh look mimics a spa-day manicure, making it perfect for summer and beyond.

Have a beauty or wellness trend you’d like to learn more about? Email Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor at beauty@vogue.com.