Red is *the* signature, Quiet Luxury nail color for fall—and these are 6 of the chicest designs to wear

Get ready to see red nail designs everywhere this season, as the classic mani shade is back and chicer than ever...

A hand with red nails, courtesy of @matejanova, for a piece on red nail designs/ in a muted red, marbled template
(Image credit: @matejanova/ Mateja Novakovic)

Red nail designs are getting the Quiet Luxury mani treatment for fall, with just about everyone rocking a classic cherry red or maroon hue at their fingertips. 

This is no doubt good news if you already buy into that whole TikTok Red Nail theory, plus despite its statement payoff, red is actually a very easy (and not to mention CHIC!) nail polish shade to pull off and will never fail to earn you compliments—especially the manicures we've lined up for you.

And while dark red nails are already flooding our socials, their primary color counterpart has also been dubbed the ultimate autumn-time shade (in both the fashion and beauty department), so here are the six signature red nail designs to rep from now until spring...

Our 6 fave red nails designs for chic vibes this fall

As mentioned, red is the moment right now—from the natural makeup with a red lip trend to red dresses and accessories—we're all about the classic pop of color, especially when it comes to our nails, it seems.

Right now you can pretty much spy every shade of red on your IG and TikTok feeds, from cherry red nails to the iconic Chanel Rouge Noir polish (P.S. We've found the perfect Chanel Rouge Noir polish dupe for ya!).

1. Classic blue-toned red nails

Of course, a scarlet/cherry red just had to come first in our lineup as it's a true classic. Either opt for a mid-length oval nail length or more of a shorter squared look. 

This color instantly makes you look and feel put together because it's just so darn sophisticated and while it's definitely bold, it will add the perfect pop of color to your fall capsule wardrobe.

2. Burgundy red nails

You can never go wrong with a burgundy shade, especially on almond or short-rounded nails.

This color oozes maturity and put-togetherness, which is personally the energy we're hoping to embody this fall. Maintenance-wise, this block color and nail length is really easy to maintain and never fail to elevate your look.

3. Dark red nails

As mentioned, wine-like, dark red nails are trending right now for their very cool and effortless vibe. We'd suggest again, opting for a short and squared style (the look above) for an understated and neat effect. 

This color is perfect for anyone who isn't a lover of vibrant reds -or is slightly intimidated by it—but still wants to rock a simple, fall-themed manicure. 

To recreate the look above, aim for a brown or purple-toned red, like Chanel's famous Rouge Noir and apply 2 to three coats for a really deep, merlot shade.

4. Poppy red nails

Like cherry red nail shades, 'Poppy red' is also gaining traction thanks to its vibrant but slightly orangey undertone. 

It's a bit more playful than a classic red and will also be perfect for when summer (eventually) rolls around again!

5. Red French tips

For a more subtle option, go for a red French-tip look! It's still very classic but is a tad less daunting for newcomers to the primary hue.

If you're recreating this look at home, a nail stamper (like this one from Amazon) and these nail brushes (also at Amazon) might come in handy. Any of the above red shades would work perfectly with this look.

6. Jelly red nails

A jelly-red manicure is also perfect for anyone wanting to embrace the vibrant color but with a twist. Like with lip oils, this nail look is uber-glossy and is perfect if you want a slight change from sporting just one, block color.

Naomi Jamieson
Lifestyle News Writer

Naomi is a Lifestyle News Writer with the Women's Lifestyle team, where she covers everything from entertainment to fashion and beauty, as well as TikTok trends for Woman&Home, after previously writing for My Imperfect Life and GoodTo. Interestingly though, Naomi actually has a background in design, having studied illustration at Plymouth University but lept into the media world in 2020, after always having a passion for writing and earned her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ.

Before working for Future Publishing’s Lifestyle News team, she worked in the Ad production team. Here she wrote and designed adverts on all sorts of things, which then went into print magazines across all genres. Now, when she isn’t writing articles on celebs, fashion trends, or the newest shows on Netflix, you can find her drinking copious cups of coffee, drawing and probably online shopping.