16 Trendy Pedicure Colors That Are Perfect for Fall, According to Experts

If you thought pedicures were a summer event only, we are here to make you rethink that with 16 expert-approved pedicure colors that are perfect for fall and winter.

While it is true that we get to show off our nail polish a lot more during the spring and summer, with open-toe shoes becoming the go-to, there's something so special and intimate about a fall pedicure. You might not get to show it off as much, but even while cozying up at home, looking at your painted toes has its charm. That's not to say you won’t get to show off your pedicure: after all, the colder months are prime time for big gatherings and formal events, which often call for open-toed sandals and heels despite the creeping cold.

Nail art is super personal, and we are more than used to seeing trending manicures all over our feeds as fall comes in—whether it's a classic staple or holiday-themed. The good thing is you don't have to go all out for your fall pedicures; simple nail colors to complement your mani (or not) are super trendy options.

If you are looking for the best pedicure colors for fall, we have tapped the experts to get you the definitive guide so you can work on your next pedi from the comfort of your home.

Meet the experts

• Ramon Duran, OPI mani crew member and nail artist
• Corey Weber, CND expert, Sola Salons beauty pro, and owner of TheNailBox.Inc
• Ami Streets, a celebrity manicurist based in London

Fall pedicures FAQs

Top 16 best pedicure colors for fall:

1. Midnight blues

Love it or hate it, the night arrives a little earlier during fall, providing the perfect inspo for the first trending shade: Midnight blue. “I am seeing a lot of inky blue and black colors trending right now, like CND Shellac Midnight Flight,” Weber shares.

Whether you go for a solid shade or one with shimmer, dark blue is a safe bet these months. Duran also suggests OPI Nail Lacquer in Midnight Mantra, which he describes as “a dark navy that’s effortlessly chic and polished.”

2. Nighttime hues

If you want to channel even darker night vibes, both Weber and Duran pick OPI Nail Lacquer in Lincoln Park After Dark as a standout for the fall and winter seasons. “It gives a deep plum tone that’s sultry and classic for cooler weather,” Duran adds. Plummy witchy shades like black cherry make for great autumnal choices, but if you want to go classic, black is always an option (and this editor's favorite!)

3. Burnt oranges

If we tell you to think of a classic fall landscape, your mind probably immediately conjures up fallen leaves, and that's precisely why Weber shares that burnt oranges are one of the best nail colors for this season.

Whether you go more terracotta or keep it more pumpkin spice is up to you. “Matte is also having a large moment with these nail art designs,” Weber shares, so make sure to add a topcoat if that’s your vibe.

4. Brick reds

Similarly, brick reds are also having a significant moment, Weber shares. Inspired by apple picking, CND Cherry Apple, which has deep blue-red undertones, is an option he favors. Deep red brick tones are great “for more traditional looks,” Weber says, picking CND Books & Beaujolais or CND Maple Leaves as choices toeing the line between red and orange.

5. Classic reds

If you want the festive touch to be even bolder (and you want it to last beyond the holidays), then you can never go wrong with a red fall pedicure and it helps that Zendaya is a fan of the manicure version of this classic.

A true red nail polish works best for Christmas, New Year's, and beyond, but it's also seasonal enough for fall. For a classic look, go for a high-shine polish like Essie's Forever Yummy or OPI’s Big Apple Red. For a more modern flair, consider professional gel polish for a long-lasting pedicure and a cat-eye effect for a shimmery touch.

6. Milky nudes

Milk nails have become very much a seasonless staple, and it’s not going away any time soon. Weber shares that shades like CND Negligee and OPI Hearts and Tarts will be massive this fall and winter season for those looking for a more minimalist, neutral pedicure in the pastel realm. Think pink or a taupe so pale that it is almost but not quite white.

A take on a French tip mixing the two shades is also a good idea. “For something minimal but stylish, a micro French using OPI Nail Lacquer in Put It In Neutral as the base with a thin OPI Nail Lacquer in Alpine Snow tip adds a subtle, elevated touch for the season,” Duran says.

7. Winter wonderland

If you want to fully tap into the winter wonderland vibes early, don't sleep on milky white nail polish. Beauty editor staple Funny Bunny is one of the most classic white shades, making it the perfect choice for fall and winter nails. You can also go super pigmented and add some nail art on top if you want to get creative. If you want a more subtle take on white nail polish, opt for a sheer, shimmery finish.

8. 50 shades of browns

Of course, it wouldn't be the fall-winter season without brown. Mocha brown, espresso brown, chocolate brown, cinnamon brown… They are all reigning when it comes to fall nail trends, so draw inspo from your favorite seasonal beverage or spice for your fall pedicure ideas.

“For fall-winter pedicures, OPI has the perfect lineup to match the cozy vibe of the season. OPI Nail Lacquer in Espresso Your Inner Self brings those rich latte vibes,” Duran says. Weber, on the other hand, suggests CND Arrowhead or Fedora for richer options if you like a darker pedi color.

“Chocolate brown is a beautiful alternative to black for the colder months,” Streets adds. “It has the same depth and versatility but feels softer and warmer, giving a pedicure a rich, understated luxury—it's my number one go-to color choice for clients right now and has been spotted all over Fashion Weeks recently too meaning it's here to stay over winter and well into next year too!”

9. The mauvier, the better

A good in-between, bridging the gap between pinky pastels and coffee browns, are mauves. Weber says shades like CND Mulberry Tart or LeChat Grace are in. You can go with a simple gel nail polish or opt for more intricate designs, adding a vampy twist with burgundy accents.

10. Magic purples

If you don't want to go super dark and plummy and a lighter mauvey lilac isn't your cup of tea either, true purples are also a great fall staple. “Purple is a great way to experiment with color during the colder months,” Streets says. “Deeper shades like plum and aubergine feel moody and luxe, while still offering something a little less predictable than a traditional red or burgundy.”

Plus, there's something about a purply shade in the fall that has a witchy quality to it and what better time to embrace that than in the fall? If you want extra whimsy, opt for a glittery nail polish.

11. Forest greens

For those who want to extend the festive mood down to their toes, forest greens are a great choice for the colder months. “OPI Nail Lacquer in Stay Off the Lawn!! delivers the ultimate forest green for a bold yet grounded look,” Duran says. You can go more forest or more pine, depending on how you like your toenails to look, but they’ll bring in a festive touch.

12. Olive greens

If you'd rather save the festivities a little longer, then olive greens are also a super popular fall pedicure color this year. They sit somewhere between colorful and muted, which is perfect for the transitional seasons, and look great for almost every skin tone. “Olive green is a great cold-weather shade because it feels earthy and grounded, but still has a fashion-forward edge,” Streets explains. “Its muted, almost khaki undertones make it surprisingly versatile for fall-winter ensembles.”

13. Chartreuse

If you are not feeling forest or olive greens, fret not: there's another green in town. “For something more unexpected, a muted chartreuse or yellow-green is a really interesting choice,” Streets says. “[Chartreuse] is a trending color for fall-winter in clothes and accessories and now beauty, it brings a flash of color to an otherwise neutral season. The earthy undertones also keep it feeling more elevated than a typical bright summer shade.”

14. Classic burgundies

Burgundy nail polish has got to be the staple fall nail color. Merlot-inspired deep burgundy is a classic as temperatures drop. One of the most popular shades is OPI’s Malaga Wine, but we are also partial to Essie’s Spiked With Style. “Burgundy is an absolute cold-weather classic because it brings depth and richness to the nails without feeling too bold,” says Streets. “It looks particularly beautiful against cozy fall textures and adds a polished, sophisticated finish to any look. Rouge Noir by Chanel is a perennial favorite.”

If you want your burgundy to have a more jewel tone to it, go for something like OPI’s Every Month is Oktoberfest, which features a ruby-esque shimmer, is also a great option. Or a jelly shade like Essie's Half Full for a more syrupy effect.

15. Slate-blues

Grey nail polish enthusiasts, rejoice because a new neutral is joining the ranks this fall. Enter: slate-blue nail polish. If you are after something that's a little subtle and powdery but are not a fan of pinkish neutrals, this is your hue for the fall. The best part? You can go as light or as dark as you want.

“Slate blue is perfect for colder weather because the grey undertones give it a cool, understated feel,” explains Streets. “It's a modern alternative to navy or black and looks especially chic with a glossy finish that brings out the depth of the color.”

16. Deep yellows

Butter yellow reigned over spring and summer, and now deep yellows are picking up the baton for fall and winter. The key? Going for that richness that we all love and associate with the colder months: Think a step between gold and caramel, something like a warm and delicious golden latte.