8 Pedicure Colors & Designs That Give Off The Ultimate '90s Vibes

If you find yourself in need of an extra dose of feel-good, '90s-style pedicures that transport you right back to the bygone era are the ultimate cheat code. Pretty piggies plus cozy nostalgia? Now that's some self-care we can all get behind. Whether you achieve it settling in at your favorite salon or painting your toenails from the comfort of your couch while you binge your favorite show, there's no shortage of '90s-inspired polish colors and designs that'll help you level up — and throw it back.

Some pedi lovers will remember the styles that defined the era all too well, like coats of metallic chrome or abstract art busy with dots and whimsical strokes. Some of these looks have earned their place among the all-time classics; we're looking at you, French tips. From the cheekily obvious to the if-you-know-you-know colors and designs, we've got eight '90s pedicure inspo pics that you'll want to text to your nail artist right away. Get ready to wiggle those toes. 

One of the better ways to get in on the '90s emo train — without settling for jet black — is to paint your toenails with a rich shade of dark red. Think merlots, maroons, and burgundies, which work on most skin tones and are guaranteed to deliver a bit of dark romance. Reach for a deep, vampy red if you want to offer a subtle nod to the '90s, but you want to stick to pedicure colors that are always in style and go with everything. 

We all love a chill and understated pedicure, but sometimes, when we're in a more playful mood, '90s-style nail art may be just the way to up the ante. For an impossibly fun take on a '90s-themed pedicure, consider a colorful confetti nail design like this one. The stark white base decorated with turquoise, purple, pink, orange, and yellow confetti-like specks is so spirited and takes us right back to backyard parties and sugary cupcakes. This is one super playful nail art trend that will have '90s kids feeling oh-so nostalgic. 

The '90s get labeled the minimalist decade pretty often, and being perfectly honest, few eras did a simple white tee and relaxed jeans better. Still, make no mistake, there was a ton of overdone maximalism in the decade too, and chrome pedicures are the perfect way to capture the lavishness of the '90s. Ultra-shiny metallics were all over the decade, including on fingertips and toenails. Ahead of your next pedicure, think head-turning and light-catching silvers, golds, or blues that are perfect for a night out on the dance floor. 

Every era has had its answer to animal print, but the '90s truly brought the jungle juice by way of leopard, snakeskin, cheetah, and the like. Those are basically timeless neutrals at this point, but zebra print is just that much wilder, and a pedicure along those lines feels like the perfect way to pay homage to the '90s. The black and white stripes on this set are graphic, whimsical, and equal parts fun and funky. Of course, if you're looking to use your toes to make a ferocious statement, any breed of animal print nail art would totally work.

We throw around the term "nail art" with abandon, but back in the '90s, technicians were treating toenails like mini canvases and using them to paint teeny pieces of abstract art. These creations — lousy with splatters, stripes, and dot designs — weren't stuck on a white wall. Instead, the most stylish gals showcased them in cute sandals and such. Today, abstract nail art is fresh again, and you'll get bonus points for this set with its neon French tips on the littler piggies.

While it's true that the French manicure and pedicure got their start in the '70s, the look was especially popular in the '90s — with the "it" girls, the girls next door, and every stylish lady in between sporting the style. You know the deal: A natural pink base gets adorned with clean white tips for a natural-looking effect that's so back. Plus, that classic pink and white combo — forever chic and sophisticated — is among the pedicure colors perfect for older women.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a '90s kid who doesn't remember the array of jelly sandals that were peak girlhood fashion. They were available in every color of the rainbow and perfect for playing outside, school, camp, and wherever, really. We may have outgrown the humble jelly sandal, but we can certainly give a wink and nod by way of our pedis. Jelly pedicures are one of our favorites, characterized by the yummy translucent polish application that's part bendy plastic, part hard candy.

If you're looking to exude an ethereal energy with your next pedicure, consider a pearlescent set like this one. From slinky slip dresses to eyeshadows, color-shifting iridescence was all over the '90s, and a multicolored, light-bouncing pedi seems like the perfect way to set the mood. Keep it chic and traditionally pearl-like with a cream-colored base, or opt for mermaid-esque shades of pinks, teals, and purples for a fun, cheeky twist. Either way, you're sure to entrance with each wiggle.