Nail Colors That Work With Any Outfit

We like to consider nail polish an integral part of the beauty category, but also as a fashion accessory. Any way you look at them, nails are an element of a look that should be cohesive, not just an afterthought. So how do you make sure you aren't sporting an outdated nail trend that should be left in the past? Or something that doesn't coordinate with your outfit at all?

Look no further than to this curated list of nail colors that are staples, meaning they work with any outfit. Your neon-yellow polish may not go with everything in your closet, but nude will. That might seem obvious, but some of these shades, like vamp or blueberry milk, may surprise you. That's right, try something unexpected with your next outfit and tell us it doesn't work. Read on, because there might be other nail polish colors you'll be surprised to see coordinate so well with everything in your closet.

Just like nude heels are one of the forever pieces you should always have in your wardrobe, according to stylists, so is nude nail polish. Why? Because neutral shades coordinate with every outfit and ooze elegance. They can go with metallics, neutrals like beige, white, brown, or black, as well as bright green or pops of pink. They also go with all textures, whether it's denim, leather, or lace. Plus, nude nails work throughout the year, whether it's winter or summer. 

When vampy wine nail polish hit the scene in the 1990s, it was seen as edgy. Fast forward a few decades and it's a staple, whether you're wearing a quiet-luxury look, or a dynamic all-black outfit. If you are wearing something with lighter colors and textures, merlot nails add a strong anchor to the look. And if you're in a heavier fabric or color, burgundy also works because it stands up to the strength of the outfit, delivering a harmonious feel.

Cherry-red nails seem like they've been a go-to polish color, well, forever. And for good reason. They work with an edgy summertime outfit, and equally well with the holy trinity of glammed-up jeans, a T-shirt, and a beige coat in winter. And if you're going for a striking matchy-matchy vibe, it absolutely works to wear cherry nails with a red outfit. Bring on the drama.

There's something about white that's so undeniably fresh, it inevitably brightens up any outfit. It can be dressed up with bright and dramatic formal wear, or go with a casual beach-appropriate outfit in the summer. White polish looks clean with an elevated, classic look like a neutral power suit, making it an excellent option to wear all week long.

We hardly need to point out that hint-of-pink polishes are akin to having olive oil in your pantry. They are simply a given because they will never fail to deliver a polished, finished-looking nail that coordinates with any outfit. They work with any shade, including red if you're going for a timeless little red dress, and look particularly pretty when paired with an on-trend embroidered blouse. They also add softness and femininity to earthy tones like sage and brown.

Whether you call it iridescent, chrome, or pearlescent, a soft metallic polish works with any outfit. We recommend you pick a polish with a gold undertone for your warmer outfits, such as anything in the red, orange, yellow, or gold family. And opt for silver or lilac-tinted chromes if you're wearing an outfit that's blue, silver, purple, or another cool tone. Just think of how you'd wear gold versus silver jewelry and follow suit with your pearly polish.

Think of milky-blue nails like jeans — a staple for your wardrobe that you can throw on with anything. They can work well with a busy, patterned, or bright outfit, when you need something a little bold to anchor a look. Or they can work with a matching moment, where the outfit is pale blue and coordinates perfectly with soft blueberry-milkshake nails. In either situation, the nails don't compete, they simply add a little something extra beyond what you'd get from a nude or pale-pink polish.