Call Your Manicurist—These Are the Only Nail Designs That Matter This Summer

I'll be honest: I don't do my nails often. I usually keep them bare and add nail polish here and there, but my nails stay simple for the better part of the year. But when summer rolls around, I'm immediately in the mood to get playful and start to save a plethora of bright and fun manicure designs to my Instagram Saved folder.

I'm already starting to think about which designs or colors I may want to try out. There are so many options out there—just a scroll on Instagram (and TikTok, with the nail transition videos) can lead to endless possibilities. For inspiration, I tapped through some of my favorite nail accounts and pinpointed the designs that I think will be perfect for the season ahead. Hint: They're all very fun, so be prepared to smile.

Take a look below, and start envisioning these on your nails. You know I've already done it for all of the options.

summer-nail-designs-280871-1620877324378-main

(Image credit: @imarninails)

I've seen so much fun jewelry trending. Why not take the same kitschy designs to your nails? 

summer-nail-designs-280871-1655336565391-main

(Image credit: @imarninails)

These punchy colored tips are perfect.

summer-nail-designs-280871-1620877758103-main

(Image credit: @evemeetsnails)

Another nail-meets-fashion trend: checkerboard. Opt for the print in black and white for a more versatile look, or feel free to play around with color.

summer-nail-designs-280871-1656099505371-main

(Image credit: @thehangedit)

This floral design is absolutely adorable.

summer-nail-designs-280871-1620877343695-main

(Image credit: @celmatique)

Prints and colors galore! If colorful is your vibe this summer, these are the nails to match. Choose your own color combos, and save this for your next manicure appointment.

summer-nail-designs-280871-1655336796210-main

(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Cobalt blue is trending.

summer-nail-designs-280871-1620877885378-main

(Image credit: @paragonnails)

It wouldn't be Hot Girl Summer without nails like these. As Y2K trends reemerge, I've seen the flame print make its way back on to phone cases, sweatshirts, etc. You can add nails to that list.

summer-nail-designs-280871-1620877333096-main

(Image credit: @betina_goldstein)

I don't always want all my nails to be brightly colored, so this subtle daisy detail on two is perfect if you're in the same boat. Just pick a color of your choice along with a subtle design on the other nails.

summer-nail-designs-280871-1620877372055-main

(Image credit: @nailartbyqueenie)

Shades of blue were seen all across the runways for summer, so these nails are perfect for the season ahead. Even looking at them reminds me of hitting the beach.

summer-nail-designs-280871-1655336937983-main

(Image credit: @imarninails)

The prettiest wedding manicure I've seen.

summer-nail-designs-280871-1620877391122-main

(Image credit: @nails_of_la)

I'm not usually one for French tips, but seeing colorful tips on the rise is making me think otherwise.

summer-nail-designs-280871-1620877406846-main

(Image credit: @buffcs)

Not for color this summer? Opt for a sleek design using negative space and your trusty black nail polish.

summer-nail-designs-280871-1620877416730-main

(Image credit: @thehangedit)

In our 2000s trend report, we noted that butterflies have made a comeback. (Did you see Dua Lipa at the Grammys?) If you're not willing to add the fun detail into clothes or accessories, I think it would make a solid addition to your summer manicure.

summer-nail-designs-280871-1620877436814-main

(Image credit: @thehangedit)

Who said pastels had to be for spring only? If muted tones are your vibe, mix and match your favorites on each nail to create a colorful but calming scene.

Can't make it to the salon? Shop our favorite press-ons:

Next: 12 Nail Polish Topcoats That Deliver Salon-Level Shine and Longevity

This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated.

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.