My Latest Obsession? This Off-Season Nail Shade That Works With My Entire Wardrobe

There are a million nail polish shades that, off the dome, will go with any outfit. The usual offenders—like nude, brown, baby pink, and white—are certifiable crowdpleasers, but there are few vibrant colors that most people consider a wardrobe-friendly staple. (Save for red, of course.) I’m known to be a bit carefree when it comes to my manicures (I’ll paint one hand red and one hand blue on a whim—no really, I just did), but one shade that I once considered too “spring” has since become my unseasonal favorite as I start to swap my wardrobe for fall.

“Sage green nails are trending right now because they go perfectly with the cozy sweater weather, hot chocolate, and sitting-by-the-fire vibes,” says celebrity nail artist Erica De Los Santos. “The shade feels soft, earthy, and grounding, making it the ideal in-between color as we transition from summer brights to deeper fall tones.”

Because this green hue errs on the side of earthy versus Brat (though one could argue that Charli XCX's coined shade is a forever staple), it's easier to wear this shade with even your most colorful outfits. While the color looks stunning on its own, De Los Santos encourages you to get crafty with your nail art. "Think textured sweater patterns for that cozy feel, gold foil flakes to add a luxe touch, or minimalist white line art for something trendy but subtle," she suggests. "A matte finish can give sage a velvety edge, while tortoise shell accents make it chic and fall-ready."

If you’re ready to switch up your nail polish wardrobe for something a little more unconventional, scroll ahead for 16 copy-worthy sage green nail ideas.

16 Sage Green Nail Ideas

1. Glazed Green

We're absolutely falling for this glazed version of sage green nails by celebrity manicurist Queenie Nguyen. Try applying a white chrome powder on top of two (cured!) layers of green gel polish to recreate her stunning look.

2. Metallic Sage

Metallic nail polishes will never go out of style, and this pretty green shade looks ravishing under a shimmery finish. Though this exact shade (Essie's Head to Mistletoe) is a discontinued limited edition, Sally Hansen's All That Shimmers is strikingly similar.

3. Mixed Greens

If you want to be ultra-trendy, take a maximalist approach to the sage green color scheme. Manicurist Stephanie Holland swirled The Gel Bottle nail polishes in Savage and Limewash to achieve these muted green designs, but you can also opt for regular nail polish for something DIY-friendly.

4. Lava Lamp

These vintage-inspired French tips are a masterclass on color play in a subtle way. If you don't feel like lacquering your entire nail in this green shade, try opting for colorful tips, like these by Holland, instead.

5. Sage Chrome

Hailey Bieber's glazed craze is certainly not over, and we're mesmerized by this chrome take on sage green. To achieve that gorgeously icy ivy, start with a muted green gel and rub green chrome powder on top to intensify the hue.

6. Accent Nails

Who says you have to go full-on green to partake in this trend? We love the idea of making a fall manicure pop by incorporating an additional trendy design: case in point, this mismatched set with tortoiseshell tips and sage green polish.

7. Baby Sage

For something a bit fresher, try this lighter green hue on for size. Whether you call it matcha green, pistachio, or baby sage, this shade works year-round—but how cute would it be during the spring and summer?

8. Emerald Cat Eye

Professional nail artist Jess Hales used magnetic polish to create these luxe cat eye nails, and we can't get over the depth of this green hue. Orbiting between sage green and deep emerald with the shift of the light, this manicure technique is great for anyone who loves to play with texture (and can't decide on which color they want).

9. Sparkly Sage

There's something about a subtly sparkly nail polish that will never go out of style. To jazz up this color scheme, look for a sage green hue with fine flecks to get a nostalgic manicure that reminds you of your youth without looking juvenile.

10. Textured Tips

3D nail art swept the scene last summer and fall, and this design showcases a chic way to play with texture without making a set look too loud. To replicate, ask your nail tech to give you a deep French manicure with builder gel swirls.

11. Jade Green

The jade crystal suggests good luck and fortune, so what better way to attract it than sporting it (or at least, the looks of it) on your nails? We guarantee that the compliments won't stop flowing when you wear this design.

12. Baby French

Baby French manicures have been trending all year, and there's no cuter way to try out a new shade than by wearing a thin slice of it along your tips. Use the edge of your brush to paint a fine line along the edges of your nails to achieve this minimalist manicure.

13. Pops of Green

A fun and very Gen Z way to experiment with sage green is by trying this ombré design with molten-metal accents. Try stippling a makeup sponge with green and gray polish onto each nail to recreate this extraterrestrial set.

14. Bright Sage

A bit brighter than baby sage, this bright hue is effortlessly chic. Celebrity manicurist Julia Diogo created this dirty martini mani with Bio Sculpture's Gemini Nourishing Nail Polish in Feel the Veld, but Londontown's Tispy Mermaid is strikingly similar.

15. Abstract French

We're absolutely swooning for this swooping French manicure. Instead of classic white tips, try this swirling, negative-space design that gives this color combo that extra oomph.

16. Striped Tips

We couldn't close out our folder of bookmarked nail art ideas without including this dirty martini-inspired manicure. To get the striped tips, ask for a sage green French manicure with thin, white stripes detailing each crown—3D olives optional, but encouraged.

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