Hold the Red—It Girls Are Pairing Black Sandals With This Chicer, Punchier Pedicure Color
Don't blame the messenger!
Don't get it twisted. A red pedicure will never truly fall from grace. It's one of the most timeless polish colors you can choose, but that doesn't mean you can't switch things up every once in a while! If that sounds like you, I suggest opting for one of summer's most stylish hues, such as cobalt blue, hot pink, or punchy orange—the latter of which I'm dubbing the "persimmon pedicure." Yes, it may look similar to a classic coat of red at first glance, but I promise the slight tweak spices things up just right. Scroll ahead to see manicurists' POV and how it looks with fashion-forward footwear.
Why Is the Persimmon Pedicure Trending for Summer 2026?
According to celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec, a juicy persimmon polish is the perfect combination of classic and fresh. "It's still close to red, which, to me, is one of the most chic shades," she explains. "It's crisp and goes with everything all summer long." That said, the orangey hue bumps up the vibrancy and warmth, making it a solid choice for beach season. Editorial manicurist Jin Soon Choi would agree, as she previously shared that vivid oranges (like persimmon!) "feel energetic and sunlit" without completely overpowering an outfit. In short, if you're itching for a slight change to your pedi aesthetic, a persimmon pedicure will do the trick.
How to Get the Look
A rich coat of persimmon polish is really all you need. While you can absolutely play with intricate designs (French tips, micro nail art, etc.), Kandalec recommends opting for a classic, solid pedicure to "let the color do all the talking." That said, she says you could add a chrome powder or subtly shimmery topcoat over it to make it look even more on-trend. "I'm seeing a lot of shimmer accents and topcoats this summer! And why not? The way they reflect the sun is so stunning," she adds.
In terms of persimmon polishes, she suggests selecting a formula with a shiny, creamy finish. "My pick is Candy by The GelBottle. That one skews more red than orange. If you happen to have a bottle of the, again, retired but still iconic Essie Clambake, that's a fave as well," she notes. "Also Kokoist Vermilion Orange, and Nail Thoughts in Wake Me Up." Below, shop all of these shades—plus a few more I'm eyeing—before your next salon appointment.
The Best Persimmon Polishes to Shop
A perfectly punchy persimmon.
An Hermès nail polish is never a bad investment, especially in this iconic orange.
If you're looking for something on the redder side, Kandalec's pick from The GelBottle is a solid choice.
While Essie's Clambake remains discontinued (sob), Be Them All is a stunning swap.
As its name suggests, this juicy OPI shade is quite zesty.
Talk about a pop of color!
Another Kandalec-recommended pick for gel pedis.
For those who dare to go neon.
It's true: Chillhouse's no-chip polishes last impressively long.
