23 Autumnal Mod Designs Are The Trending Nail Look For Fall 2023 - Here Are Our Favorites

Mod manicures are a fun trend for fall that you might not have seen coming. The mods were a group that rose to notoriety in the late 1950s and early 1960s in Great Britain. Like many in the postwar era, they sought ways to express and reinvent themselves, and distance their style from that of their parents' generation (via John Smedley). Naturally, one of the most memorable aspects of the group was its aesthetic. The subculture embraced sharply dressed, tailored clothes with a mix of primary colors and sometimes vibrant pink, orange, and yellow hues, making its style coincidently perfect for autumn.

This fashion led to a global trend that favored choosing bold geometrics such as bright polka dots, stripes, and block colors. And as you'll see, the mod influences evolved during the age of pop art, jazz, and ska, which no doubt fuelled a lot of the group's style inspiration. Here, we're trying to capture some of these infamous looks by combining them with various seasonal colors and nail designs.

If you were a fan of Dua Lipa's fun red carpet nails for the 2020 Grammys, you're not the only one. Checkered nails can bring a hint of fun while still bringing the geometric style of the 1950s to the spotlight. Here, the mix of yellow and beige contrasts exceptionally well with the bold black crossover.

Here, we have another checkered number. It's more subtle this time, as they've gone for a nude base. But they've made it attractive by mixing the bare beige base with tips and some full patterned nail art. Like our other checkered take, it's got the sharp geometrics but is actually more faithful to the modernist form with the choice of the natural harvest palettes.

Who says short nails can't be chic and glamorous? This opulent and refined interpretation of modernism is the perfect way to elevate your short-nail game and make a statement. Let's take a moment to appreciate the stunning combination of the decadent hot choc color and the touch of glitter. It perfectly reflects the whimsy and beauty of the fall season.

While the rebellious spirit of the mods defined the group, its bitter rivalry with the Rockers often made front-page news. The message here is not to fight but to acknowledge our flaws. The mods, of course, were style icons but were far from perfect. With this mani, you can still be a rebel with Halloween block colors, but the message is real.

You can't miss these fabulous almond-shaped nails featuring an exciting blend of modernist prints. The color-blocked hues, coupled with the eclectic checkers and florals, create a daring and unconventional look that is sure to turn heads. And this is precisely what the mods were all about: pushing the boundaries and embracing the unexpected.

It's got bold black and white checkers, vintage colors, and ghouls — did someone say "Beetlejuice?" What's more, this look is a striking combo for darker skin tones that is modern and glam. Add some whacky and bulky jewelry, and it's an entertaining look for the Halloween season.

These glamorous nails featuring a groovy graphic art style are surprisingly chic. We're unsure whether it's the subtle combination of the pink base or the creative take on French tips extending from the main designs, but it's undoubtedly an excellent addition to our list for the autumn season. Moreover, with modern stripes and colors, there's definitely a rebellious vibe here.

Fun fact — did you know the tortoiseshell pattern has been around since the 18th century (via Cutler and Gross)? It was used to line cabinets for kings as a sign of luxury and style, and that's certainly the case here as well. Again, we've got a brilliantly creative twist on French nails with this modern twist. It's a simple but glam take with fall shades.

These nails boast a nude base with sections blocked out in bold rectangular white, gold, and yellow segments. There's something quite contemporary with this one, but it still keeps many of the fundamentals. What's more, some of the details even feature intricate patterns or text, adding a playful twist to this mod-inspired look.

It mightn't be a surprise that it was one of the original modernists, architect and designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who tooted the motto "less is more," and his words have echoed throughout various movements ever since, per System of Motion. One example is this manicure, featuring a see-through design with long tips that showcase the enchanting glass nails trend. A delicate glassy butterfly is added to one nail to complete the look, creating a whimsical touch to this modern and stylish design.

These nails just exude elegance. Following the latest hype with this exquisite milky coconut manicure, they've embellished the style here with delicate flecks of gold. The result? A stunning manicure that resembles ethereal eggshells, combining sophistication with a touch of luxury. They're minimalist, but the shades are neutral enough to pull off in any season. We'd like to think, though, that the flecks of gold are great for capturing an autumn vibe.