The rush of summer festivities and vacations are slowly coming to end, bringing anticipation for the Fall season. The excitement of pumpkin picking, sipping chai lattes, and wearing your coziest sweaters is enough to get you into the autumnal spirit. As you assemble your essential wardrobe pieces for the cooler months ahead, you may need inspiration for your nail designs. If you’re looking for fun yet realistic and wearable nail designs look no further than to our comprehensive Fall nail design guide.
What makes a design realistic and wearable? We want to choose simple nail designs and colors. Solid colors ranging from dark to light shades will make your manicure look neat and cohesive. Choosing a dark red or a light brown is the easiest way to look chic without spending a pretty penny.
You can opt for regular nail polish, but will need to keep in mind reapplying coats throughout the week as they will start to chip. Or, you can use gel nail polish. Keep in mind, an at home set-up does not have to be expensive. Amazon has a great LED Nail Lamp for an affordable price that will last for a good 1-2 years. Your choice of gel nail polish is up to you, but my personal recommendations will steer you towards OPI or DND as they offer a variety of color and high quality applications.
In terms of design, look for straightforward and effortless choices. You don’t have to get a fancy design to look put together. The classic French easily embodies chicness that is wearable for your everyday wardrobe. Or you can choose to paint your nails in a monochromatic pattern, which is easy to recreate yet looks like you put a lot of thought into it.
The possibilities for realistic and wearable nails are endless. Still need help deciding on what design to do? Take a look at our personal picks for Fall!
14 Classy Fall Nail Designs That Are Realistic and Wearable
Cystrailized Green
Are you the one that eagerly awaits the Halloween decor and holiday season? This unique shimmery green is a look you will especially be drawn to. The choice of green shown here isn’t too loud compared to other shades, which typically give it more of a “cheesy” appearance. However, this look gives a statement appropriately and is aligned with the trendy deep green that is in season for Fall 2024. OPI GelColor in Midnight Snacc is a perfect choice to mimic this color shade. Then add a glitter polish of your choosing to layer on top, I suggest DND’s Hologra-Fun.
Dark Cherry Red
What better option to encompass Fall energy than a dark cherry red? Effortless and for sure to go with any outfit you choose, this is an easy option to try this upcoming season. Red will never go out of style, and is a staple color for many because of its bold yet elegant appearance. Think of sporting your best brown knee high boots with a matching leather jacket, and a beige sweater in contrast to your gorgeous dark red nail color. Not only will you look in style, but you will automatically appear more put together.
Deep Plum
If you gravitate towards rich purples and/or plums within your Fall makeup routine, you will love this shade for your manicure. Maybe a typical dark red is boring, or you’re tired of coming up with a million designs. Choosing a dark plum is the easiest way to be on trend in the autumn season without applying much effort. The dramatic color is yet very wearable and doesn’t take away from whichever outfit you put together. There is a variety of plum colors you can choose from. If you’re looking for the deep shade shown above, DND’s Plum Passion is a close match.
Brown and Gold Glam
Want to get a little fancier with your designs? Why not add a little bit of a gold accent to your manicure? This velvety chocolate brown pairs well with gold, as it elevates the color without it looking dull. It’s a great option if you have an event in October or November, and want to be still in the autumnal color scheme palette. To create this look, make a diagonal line from the far left on three nails. Fill in the line to mimic a “half French” look. Then trace the line you made with applying gold nail foil. If that seems a little difficult, trace the diagonal line with gold glitter nail polish instead.
Brown French with Gold Swirls
You can never go wrong with a classic French nail design. Opting for color instead of white is a fun element to add to your manicure that will still be wearable. To keep the Fall theme aligned, choosing a dark brown color gives a classier look. Having difficulty choosing the right nude base for your French manicure? OPI’s Bare My Soul will elevate your nail bed without adding much color, which is perfect for a nude base. Choose a holographic nail polish finish for the gold swirls, ensuring that they will stand out against your French manicure.
Monochromatic Fall Colors
Colorful, monochromatic designs are the easiest nail designs to recreate. The complimentary pink to plum ratio is a beautiful design without all the strenuous nail design work. It’s a creative flair than your singular nail color, giving you freedom to choose whichever color palette expresses your personality best. For this particular color combination, start with a white nail polish. Then proceed with a pink nude, a pink-purple shade then plum and a darker plum or burgundy to follow.
Pastel Sage Green
Pastel colors such as this green, is the equivalent to a nude shade. It’s simple yet compliments anything you decide to wear. From sections of your favorite cream sweaters to your tan or terracotta bottoms, the pale sage green is a unique choice from your “usual” Fall colors. It is also ideal for your workplace attire, as it may be hard to stray away from a bolder, darker color.
Teal French
Another playful yet elegant way to sport green this Fall is by choosing a teal French design. It’s easy to fall into the red and brown manicure trends but this is an innovative manicure to incorporate more cool tones. We often forget that colors such as denim blues, emerald, and jade greens are also part of an autumnal palette. What makes this French design unique is its addition of a coat of a light shimmer polish. This Jelly Gel Nail Polish is great to recreate that soft, iridescent shimmer.
Orange Accent Design
Add a brighter flare with a lively orange polish. This color is a fun addition to the geometric nail design shown here. Both elements make this a stand out option, incorporating both bright color and unique swirls and shapes. You will for sure grab the attention of your friends and family alike. The direction and swirl design can be versatile, with no rhyme or reason of what it should look like. You can take the liberty of making this personally tailored to you!
Matte Black
Bold and quintessential to your selection of Fall looks, it wouldn’t be a complete guide without mentioning black nail polish. Who doesn’t enjoy the aesthetic of a clean cut back look? Effortlessly chic, and gives you the demeanor of someone who is always put together. You can pair the black nail polish with any design, but adding a simple idea like a small heart is suitable for everyday wear. To add more dramatic flare, choose a matte top coat that will instantly sleek-ify your manicure.
Monochrome Black & White
If you’re into a more subdued monochromatic look, take inspiration from this look. The subtle design that incorporates the two colors is super wearable for everyday use. It gives the aesthetic of being instantly classy and on trend. There is no complicated design and it will cut down on time spent trying to replicate something fancy. The “white” color is actually close to a true nude or white nude. To achieve that true nude color, look for something similar to DND’s Sandy Nude.
Deep Brown
A personal favorite and just the season to try this upcoming Fall. A palette inspired by the changing leaves and cozy warm deep colors that surround us. This is for those who want a design that stands out without the fuss of coming up with nail art. There is a lot of room in what you can come up with in terms of autumnal colors. You can focus on browns like this picture shows or focus on darker red/berry shades. The inspiration is up to you and catered to match what you wear on a daily basis. You will start by adding a matte top coat, then outline the French tip with a regular shine top coat.
Fall Leaves Inspiration
For those who want to keep the French manicure simple, but don’t want the same white colored tip, this is the perfect option. This taupe brown shade is the standout color you need, without looking played out. The gold swirl design helps pop the color out more and adds a subtle yet beautiful touch. You will especially enjoy it if you choose to wear gold jewelry more often.
Taupe French
For those who want to keep the French manicure simple, but don’t want the same white colored tip, this is the perfect option. This taupe brown shade is the standout color you need, without looking played out. The gold swirl design helps pop the color out more and adds a subtle yet beautiful touch. You will especially enjoy it if you choose to wear gold jewelry more often.
