Moody Nail Colors To Experiment With In Fall 2025

As we mechanically accept that it's time to wind our clocks back an hour, we also know that falling leaves and dipping temperatures mean it's time to reconsider our outfits, makeup, and nails. We stash away our breezy dresses and sun hats to make room for cozy textures and heavier fabrics; the sheer lip oils get relegated to the back of the makeup drawer, with deeper lipsticks taking their place; and even our fall-hued nail polishes get pride of place among our collection of bottles. 

While we've had fun playing with 2025's biggest nail colors, we're zeroing in on moody nail shades for fall. What qualifies as moody? Well, nail hues that practically tell a story themselves: gray tones that evoke a calm depth like a soft woolen blanket you want to wrap up in, vampy shades that are confident and edgy, deep navy that reminds us of a fall sea swell, and all the coffee shades that make you want to wrap your digits around a steaming-hot pumpkin spice latte. Here's how to swap them in for the tried-and-true nail colors that took center stage earlier this year.

When it comes to experimenting with the moody nail colors on offer for fall 2025, gray shades are a great place to start. To choose a shade of gray, think about how much of a statement you want to make. If it's a bold mood, then think about contrasting your gray shade with your skin tone. If it's a softer, everyday look you're after, then stick to a gray closer to your skin tone.

With all the '90s-inspired grunge and goth looks currently trending (we see you, Jenna Ortega), it's no surprise that vampy nails — a true autumnal staple — are hot yet again. Whether you call it oxblood, rich plum, wine red, or bordeaux, a deep burgundy polish can replace your cherry red for a moodier fall take. Along the goth lines, black is a polish we often embrace in fall, but this season, it's taking a back seat to the subtly luxurious navy. We particularly love it when paired with outfits in the brown, gray, or light-blue color families.

Another polish that looks fabulous with brown is ... brown. Consider shades of caramel and coffee your elevated, moody neutrals of the season. See how older and younger celebs are wearing Mocha Mousse, Pantone's 2025 color of the year if you need proof of how rich this shade can be. Next step: Decide whether you're going to file them square, round, almond, or something else, which you can figure out with our ultimate guide to picking your next nail shape.