'70s-Inspired Pedicure Colors For The Perfect Vintage Vibe

As we've already seen, there have been quite a few pedicure options in 2026 that are definitely worth giving a try. From the trends that will help you nail the perfect summer 2026 pedicure to the ideal pedicure colors for older women, there's no lack of pedicure inspiration out there. But if you're looking for something that's going to embrace bygone days, most notably the vintage vibe of the 1970s, then you need to dive into the color palette and designs of the era for that type of pedi.

After the bold colors and mod fashion of the Swinging Sixties, things took a turn in the opposite direction when the 1970s rolled around, as colors became muted and almost a bit moody in contrast. "When you think of the visual vibes of the '70s, olive-y, avocado greens, rusty oranges, gold-ish yellows, and chocolate browns swirl around the mind in distinctly far-out curves and waves," color expert, Amy Moorea Wong, told Livingetc in March 2025, adding that while these earthy tones are the most typical of the decade, they certainly weren't the only colors from which to choose. If you want to elevate things, deep purple, electric blue, and magenta are also options, especially if you want to channel "Saturday Night Fever" type energy.

If you've been rocking the '70s haircuts and styles that still work in 2026, you might as well embrace the '70-inspired pedicure colors and imagery too. After all, if your pedicure isn't matching your morning avocado toast, then who are you? Someone who didn't get a '70-inspired pedi, that's who.

Although it's become quite clear that butter yellow isn't going anywhere, when it comes to nails and outfits, if you want the vintage version of this shade, then it's time to embrace mustard yellow. As one of the earth tones of the 1970s, mustard yellow, also called turmeric or ochre, is a fantastic pedicure option because there's something comforting about it. In fact, according to color psychology, this particular shade of yellow doesn't just inspire thoughts of coziness, but also plays a hand in feelings of joy and emotional safety.

It's also why interior designers like to include this shade of yellow in their work. "I think people love the color ochre because it's so warm and inviting," interior designer Peti Lau told One Kings Lane. "It's opulent but not pretentious. It's really a grounding color, even though when you first look at it, it feels bright."

If an entire pedicure of this shade of yellow feels a bit too intense for you, then an accent toe is the way to go. You can either do another solid complementary color or, as we see here, a daisy, which is a perfect nod to the flower power political movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Not a fan of daisies? Accent toes that are painted to resemble tie-dye fabrics or a peace sign are also decade-appropriate designs. 

At first glance, burnt orange isn't exactly a striking color. Unless you lived during the 1970s and couldn't escape it, or you were born too late and can't get enough of it now because of its vintage vibe, not many people are lining up to add burnt orange to their life. However, from a psychological standpoint, burnt orange is an optimistic color. Since it falls between the classic orange and brown, it has a grounding effect. It's also a timeless color, rarely staying in the past, being one of the color trends we saw everywhere in fall 2025.

Because of how subtle burnt orange can be, it does well with other colors if you want to add designs or an accent toe to your pedicure — although, frankly, it does stand well on its own. "Burnt orange coordinates beautifully with a wide range of neutrals and colors," designer Lindsey Putzier told Better Homes & Gardens in May 2023. "It looks fantastic paired with warm beige, off-white, charcoal, and black ... Brighter oranges don't have this same potential."

Of course, if you want to give a modern twist to your burnt orange pedicure, don't be afraid to experiment with the aforementioned complementary colors or even contrasting ones. Burnt orange and navy, for example, look beautiful together. Add in a '70s-inspired pattern and take your pedicure to another level. 

If ever there was a color that embodied the 1970s, it's pea green. It was pretty much everywhere, a clear staple of the era that stood the test of time, and is now an unexpected nail color trend that brings retro vibes to your manicure. Why was pea green so popular in the 1970s? For the same reason people couldn't get enough of burnt orange, brown, and mustard yellow: culture turned to shades you'd find in nature when ecology became trendy. For example, the first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970, ultimately leading to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency being established that same year in December. 

Now, because pea green can be a bit much on its own, we love the idea of making pea green the theme of your pedicure, but also adding other elements. Considering how much leopard print played a role in 1970s fashion for all genders, that's a great place to start. "Leopard is one of the most intriguing prints in fashion," Emma McClendon, Assistant Curator at New York's The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, told Stylist in August 2016. "At its extremes it has been both the ultimate symbol of glamour, wealth, and power, but also a stand in for the downcast, sexually free woman." Add a geometric shape or two, and achieve that wanted vintage vibe immediately.

On the flip side of the earthy tones of the 1970s were the glitz, glamour, and endless sparkles. All you have to do is check out Diana Ross' most dazzling looks in the '70s to know that the decade couldn't get enough of sequins and anything else that shimmered — most notably the disco ball. Although these mirrored balls have been around since the early 20^th century, it was the 1970s, when the disco genre of music arrived and disco clubs followed, that disco balls became a quintessential part of the decade.

If you fancy yourself someone who leans more toward the flashiness of the 1970s, then the pedicure color for you to perfect that coveted vintage vibe is silver chrome. With each toe looking like one of the mirrored squares on a disco ball, it's not only an eye-catching color choice, but a fun pedicure in general. You can also add variations to this look by doing every other toe with a sparkly polish, or just doing an accent toe in a shade of glitter you prefer most. You actually have a lot of options here, so toss on the Bee Gees or ABBA, and let yourself get creative.