Seven ways to bring the stripe hype to your nails

If you ever needed proof that the simplest design can make the biggest statement, look no further than stripes. Equal parts nostalgic and fashion-forward, here's every iteration worth saving for your next salon appointment.

Striped nails are playful without being over-the-top, endlessly customisable, and somehow manage to look equally chic on a beach holiday, a brunch date, or your Monday morning coffee run. Whether you're drawn to barely-there pastel lines or bold, graphic colour blocking, this versatile trend is all about adding a little personality with clean, uncomplicated strokes. Here are some of our favourites: 

Pastel pinstripes 

Soft lavender, butter yellow, mint green, baby blue, and pastel pink as a base, with a slightly darker accent in the same colour family for delicate stripes, feels fresh, airy, and oh-so-cute. 

Bright + bold 

Turn the saturation all the way up with juicy oranges, cobalt blues, hot pinks, cherry reds, and lime greens. The result is playful, dopamine dressing for your fingertips, making it perfect for vacations, festivals, or simply brightening up your daily look. 

A little French twist 

Swap the classic white French tip for fine multicoloured stripes. Vertical, horizontal or curved, each style gives the timeless manicure a fun, fashion-girl update. 

Fruity little details 

Think cute accents like tiny cherries, citrus slices, strawberries or watermelon paired with a pleasing bed of stripes for a manicure that's sweet and picnic-core. 

Horizontal lines 

Be a sweet little rebel and opt in for horizontal bands to create a graphic, retro-inspired look. Mix widths and colours for extra visual appeal. 

Trendy colours 

The prettiest colours of the season lend themselves beautifully to combinations. Think chocolate brown and butter yellow, baby pink and cherry red. 

Mix-and-match 

Why pick just one? Alternate stripe directions, colours and thicknesses (and maybe a rival print, too, we’re looking at you, polka dots) across each nail for a playful, mismatched manicure.  

So go ahead: pick your palette, play with patterns, and let your next manicure do all the talking! 

Lead image: Getty Images 

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