5 Bold Pedicure Colors That Look Great With Black Sandals & Heels

Your toenails are way less visible and in-your-face than your fingernails, making them a great canvas to experiment and play with bold, bright hues that you might not normally pick for your manicure. From juicy reds to picture-perfect pastels to shimmering chromes, we've got you covered with all the latest trends to help you nail the perfect summer 2026 pedicure while it's still warm out. And since you're probably rocking some open-toe shoes while out and about in the nice weather, we made sure that all of our picks look stunning when paired with classic black sandals or heels. After all, a good pedi deserves to be noticed.

Whether a pedicure is more of a rare treat for you and your feet or you're swapping out a new polish color every other week, we've got your next bold pedi pick right here. Who knows? You might just find your new signature color.

Don't get us wrong — red will forever be a go-to for both our fingers and toes no matter the time of year. It's one of those pedicure colors that are always in style and go with everything. But if you've been wanting to switch things up a bit during the hotter months, a luscious persimmon is a great way to try something new without straying too far out of your comfort zone. This vibrant red-orange screams warm weather, so it's the perfect color to pair with open-toe heels or comfy sandals and a flowy 'fit.  

Celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec spread the word about this shade in July 2026. "It's still close to red, which, to me, is one of the most chic shades," she explained to Who What Wear. "It's crisp and goes with everything all summer long." Ready to rock it? Go for a polish that leans a touch more red than orange to avoid the Halloween look when paired with your favorite black sandals. Or, if you're really feeling those juicy orange tones, reach for a lighter, almost pastel shade to keep things fresh and fun. 

You seriously can't go wrong with a shiny metallic pedi. It catches the summer sun and looks great with all kinds of shoe styles, and it's also equally eye-catching during a frosty winter. From professionally applied chrome powder to sparkly at-home polishes, the silver trend has something for everyone. Go for a full-on glitter polish with chunky flakes, or keep things sleek and more subtle with a smooth metallic. For extra shine, opt for a cat-eye pedicure (here's how to get the perfect cat-eye nails at home).

Need a few more ideas for all that shines and sparkles? We love pairing a smooth chrome polish with chunky black sandals featuring matching silver hardware. This upscale neutral plays well with all sorts of colors, so you can really go wild with your outfit. Layer on the silver jewelry, and you're all set to be the coolest one at the function.

Whether your style is flashy or subtle, there's a gold polish out there that belongs on your toes. This glimmering color can be whatever you want it to be. What about a glitter-filled set against a strappy little pair of heels for a night out? Or a pearlescent rose gold for a super sweet treat-yourself pedi? There are no bad choices here.

If you just can't settle on a single metallic shade, there's also nothing wrong with bringing all things shiny to the party. We know, we know, it's traditionally considered a fashion sin to mix metals. But that's not always the case — in fact, one of 2026's biggest jewelry trends reverses this outdated styling rule. Who's to say this trend can't extend to your pedicure? Silver, gold, copper, rose gold, take your pick. If the thought of mixing silver and gold truly sends a chill up your spine, you can dip a manicured toe into the waters of mixed metals by putting a pretty rose gold next to your more yellow gold go-to. Alternate your fave shades on your toes and hands, then check our ultimate guide to pulling off a mixed metal look for some jewelry inspo.

Remember when cobalt blue was the bold color at the forefront of spring fashion several seasons ago? It was shockingly bright and a fun departure from everyday neutrals, whether it made an appearance as an accessory, a pretty top, or on the nails. To be honest, it never left our polish collection, so by all means feel free to throw it on — it's still a total standout shade to wear to the beach or out to brunch. But if you want a more of-the-moment hue, we suggest going for a pretty baby blue or sky blue.

Beauty expert Juanita Huber-Millet told Allure, "Soft blues feel fresh, calming, and slightly unexpected for summer." These shades might be delicate, but they're still plenty bold. Set against a black leather sandal or sky-high heel, pale blue is a stunning choice for year-round wear. It's also a great complement to many colors, from trendy butter yellow to classic blush. Play around with different complementary shades for your manicure, and you'll see what we mean.

Barbie girls at heart, rejoice! This is the one for you. While neutrals have a time and place, that place isn't here. Hot pink, another classic nail color, is a fabulous choice for a bold pedicure. Verging on neon, this punchy shade will really pop against a black heel or sandal.

Let those toes be the star of the show with a monochromatic black outfit, or channel pop star Zara Larsson's iconic Lisa Frank meets Y2K style and layer on the colors. However you wear it, hot pink is a certifiable mood lifter. To make this go-to color even more eye-catching, lean into the latest nail trends with a cat-eye or pearlescent chrome finish. And if you love the shade but want to go just a touch more understated with it, opt for a sheer jelly polish. You'll get all the fun of this happy hue without the neon.