5 Dated Summer Nail Trends And What We’re Choosing Instead

As a beauty editor, I firmly believe in wearing whatever makes you feel your best—and that goes for both fashion and beauty trends. Of course, it’s always fun to follow nail trends and nail colours for the season. But, nails are often a core part of our identity and a reflection of our personal style, whether you favour long, almond nails, adore nail art or opt for a minimalist milky manicure. Everyone is different and you shouldn’t let trends dictate what you really love to wear.

However, as nail trends come and go (at ever-increasing speeds), there are some nail trends that our editors feel a little “dated” for summer 2025. Curious to find out what manicures our team are requesting instead, I’ve asked our beauty team to share the trends they’re passing on and the ones they’re requesting in the salon for this summer. Ahead, we’ve shared the dated summer 2025 nail trends we’re hitting pause on and sharing the summer nail trends we’re trying out this year instead.

Dated Summer Nail Trends 2025

Out: Brown Pedicures

In: Red Pedicures

“I have long loved a glossy chocolate brown on my toes for summer, there’s always been something so cool and sort of bohemian about it,” says Who What Wear UK beauty director, Shannon Lawlor. “But with woven and mesh ballet flats being my summer footwear of choice, a few weeks ago I thought I’d consider a cool-toned, bright, poppy red instead to peep through—and ever since I’ve felt like a new woman,” she says. “There is something so fresh about a bright red pedi and with sheer shoes being the footwear of choice for summer 2025, it’s time to make slightly bolder pedicure choices!”

Shop Red Nail Polishes:

Out: Bright White

In: Soft White

“I love white nails for summer, but this year I’m favouring soft, milky shades over stark white nail polishes,” says Who What Wear UK junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay. “Not only do milky nails flatter my skin tone a lot more, but they are bang on trend for the upcoming season.”

Shop Soft White Nail Polishes:

Out: Block Red

In: Jelly Red

“While I love a red nail polish as much as the next person, this summer I’ve found myself wearing a lot of neutrals and want a softer manicure to complement my wardrobe,” says Lindsay. “Enter, red jelly nails. This sheer, glossy polish manages to deliver a more subtle hint of colour while still looking impossibly chic.”

Shop Jelly Polishes:

Out: Chrome

In: Seashell Shimmer

As for myself, I’m getting a little bored seeing chrome, glazed doughnut nail finishes everywhere I go (and as someone who can’t wear gel nails due to an allergy, I’ve never been able to achieve the chrome look with regular nail polish anyway). Instead, I’ve been leaning more towards sheer polishes with a subtle shimmer this season. They have the same vibe as chrome nails, but the overall effect is far softer. Think the subtle sheen you see inside seashells—that’s the vibe I want to capture for my manicures for summer 2025.

Shop Shimmery Nail Polishes:

Out: Neons

In: Muted Brights

I was never been lucky enough to carry off neon nails when they were popular during the 2010s, but I feel like the neon trend is staying firmly in the past decade anyway—for now, at least. Instead, I’m embracing colour through bright colours in more muted tones. Think pistachio, burnt orange and cobalt blue. They’re still playful and summery, but a lot more wearable (and won’t glow in the dark!)

Shop Muted Bright Nail Polishes: