Nail trends—all beauty trends, for that matter—exist on a pendulum. What may seem “cringey” now will ultimately swing back into the zeitgeist (just you wait!), and nail looks in particular have a trend cycle faster than the speed of light—so don’t worry too much about choosing a design that looks too “dated.” Chances are it’ll see the limelight once again. That resurgence may happen sooner than you think, as a matter of fact, considering all the retro nail patterns increasing in popularity as of late. Polka dots! Ombré! Pinstripes! Nostalgic nails are in for 2025, albeit with some modern updates to keep them looking fresh. Find a few of my favorite takes below along with the polishes and tools you need to re-create each set.
Polka Dots
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, polka dots are back, baby! The retro print is always a classic, for what it’s worth, but there’s no denying its surge in popularity this summer, from capris to halters to swimsuits to, yep, manicures. Sabrina Carpenter and Hailey Bieber were both spotted with the chic, ’60s-inspired design, and countless nail artists have since showcased their own playful twists. The inspo currently sitting in my Instagram Favorites folder? Betina Goldstein’s colorful French, Queenie Nguyen’s velvet finish, and Imarni’s high-contrast tips.
