Classy, Chic, and Highly Requested: These 9 Nail Colors Will Dominate Fall 2025
From coffee to ink blue, jammy plum, and beyond.


It's officially my favorite time of year. Yes, I love fall, but not for the reasons you might think. I love it because of the beauty opportunities it presents. I get to make seasonal skincare swaps. I get to focus on rehabilitating my dry, damaged post-summer hair. Best of all, I get to indulge in all of the best fall manicures. That last one is especially exciting to me as a nail-obsessed beauty editor.
Since there are countless colors to choose from (the shade indecision is real), I think it can be helpful to have a seasonal color palette to reference. Not just any seasonal color palette, though. I'm talking about a stylish, sophisticated, and trend-focused one. For that, I go straight to the source: celebrity nail artists. Ahead, see the nine nail colors poised to dominate fall 2025, as told by experts.
Coffee
There's nothing better than cozying up with a warm coffee on a cold fall day, and according to Julie Kandalec, a celebrity manicurist and Kiss Nails brand ambassador, now's the time to let your manicure reflect that. Choose a rich shade of espresso or a creamy, latte-esque color. It's up to you. "We're definitely going to be seeing lots of browns, like different shades of coffee and milk chocolate—mocha nails, rich espressos, and hazelnut latte vibes. These cozy yet sophisticated, earthy tones are stunning for the fall time," she says.
Shop the Trend
Ink Blue
"Fall always calls for something moody, and this season's deep shades are especially chic," says Rebecca Isa, creative director of Zoya. She predicts blackened pine and smoky violet will be popular throughout fall 2025, but I'm partial to her third color prediction: dark, inky blue. Sitting somewhere between navy and cobalt, this shade is clean and bold—just like the splash of fresh ink from a new pen when it hits a blank sheet of paper. "It has the same drama as traditional oxblood or black cherry but with a more modern, fashion-forward edge," she adds.
Shop the Trend
Cherry Red
Tanaya Middleton is a salon owner, celebrity manicurist, and educator. She says bright cherry red will peak in popularity this fall. "This isn't your classic deep red," she says. "It's brighter, bolder, and full of energy. A pop of vibrant red feels powerful yet playful, making it the perfect color to turn heads this season."
Shop the Trend
Burgundy Wine
Selina Payne-Ferebee, a beauty expert and the creator of the Nails Are a Lifestyle podcast, says classic burgundy is going to make its annual comeback. I'm not mad. In fact, I can't wait. There's just something about wine-stained nails that screams sophistication. "Reds will always be timeless and make bold statements on and off the runway," she says. "It provides a timeless, elegant contrast while remaining fashion-forward."
Shop the Trend
Jammy Plum
As deep, decadent, and mouthwatering as actual jam, jammy plum is the next trendy nail color to stock up on for fall. It's "a moody, sophisticated purple that leans dark and dramatic," Middleton says. "Plum adds just the right amount of mystery and elegance to your manicure, especially as the weather cools down."
Shop the Trend
Parchment
Celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein predicts that parchment will be *the* neutral nail trend in fall 2025. Parchment doesn't mean you have to exclusively stick to flesh-colored nail polishes, though. You can experiment with white, pink, and even soft lavender. The trick is to use a nail polish that has a layered, waxy-looking finish that's similar to real parchment paper. "You can make it sheer or solid," Gerstein says. In other words, it's more about the finish than the actual color.
Isa agrees, saying these modern nude shades "feel polished yet effortless—perfect for transitional dressing as we move from sundresses to layered knits."
Shop the Trend
Stormy Teal
"For fall, I love that you can do more in terms of color," says Gerstein. "Transformative teal is the standout, signature color for fall this year. It was seen all over the runways for fall/winter 2025/2026, and it replaces the typical navy or black that we see over and over. What I like about this teal is that … it's heavy and deep." This shade reminds me of storm-churned water, which is why I get a maritime vibe from it. It feels like a fresh fall take on summer's viral fishermancore aesthetic.
Shop the Trend
Muted Berry
Next up? Berry-colored nail polish, but not the classic ripe shades you might be thinking of. The trendiest berries will be softer, cooler, and more casual. "Berry tones are a perennial fall favorite, but for 2025, they're more subdued," Isa says. "Think dusted mauves and terra-cotta reds with a velvety cream finish. They're wearable for every day yet have a richness that pairs beautifully with autumn textures like denim, cashmere, and tweed. It's a softer, more relaxed interpretation of the high-shine, saturated berries of years past."
Shop the Trend
Frosty Neutral
Last but not least, Gerstein says frosty neutral manicures will feel very of-the-moment throughout fall 2025. Not only do they work well with lighter materials like silk and chiffon, which were seen on the runways ("nails are always mimicking the clothes!"), but they also feel very luxurious. I have to agree. A metallic finish will give an otherwise standard manicure a cool, modern edge. "Frosted tones pair well with super-hydrated [skin]," she adds. "It's a fall transition from the summer's soap trend, which is about clean nails and very moisturized, glowy skin."
Shop the Trend

Kaitlyn McLintock is a Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. She has 10 years of experience in the editorial industry, having previously written for other industry-leading publications, like Byrdie, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, and others. She covers all things beauty and wellness-related, but she has a special passion for creating skincare content (whether that's writing about an innovative in-office treatment, researching the benefits of a certain ingredient, or testing the latest and greatest at-home skin device). Having lived in Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas, she has since relocated back to her home state, Michigan. When she's not writing, researching, or testing beauty products, she's working through an ever-growing book collection or swimming in the Great Lakes.
-
An Unequivocal Guide to the Top Fall 2025 Hair Trends, According to 6 Celebrity Stylists
New season, new hair.
-
Neutral Nails Never Go Out of Style—These 8 Timeless Shades Are Proof
You'll fall in love with these earthy tones.
-
Oh, They're So Back—17 Pretty Nail Designs That Make This "Outdated" Mani Feel So 2025
You'll want to save these for later.
-
Vintage Nail Designs Are on the Up and Up—7 Worth Saving for Your Next Mani
Haven't you noticed?
-
Taylor Swift's Engagement Nails Have Me Rethinking My Bridal Manicure
See all the details.
-
I'm Having an English Countryside Fall—20 Beauty Finds That Whisper "Escape to the Cotswolds"
New season, new favorites.
-
I Asked Beauty Editors to Share the "Almost Neutral" Nail Polishes They'll Never Give Up—Here's the Reveal
It doesn't get more elegant than this.
-
Sorry, French Tips—Fashion People Wear This Anti-Trend Pedicure Color 365 Days a Year
It's cool-girl approved.