I don’t know about you, but when I think of nail MO for fall and winter, my mind immediately conjures moody iterations of burgundy, wine, emerald, navy, black, and—heck, if I’m feeling really spirited—holiday-esque color combos like black and orange, green and red, the like. However, as “’tis the season” as these shades and pairings might be, they feel a bit expected. Now, we’re fans of doing whatever you damn well please when it comes to your beauty aesthetic. But this season, we’ve been moved to brainstorm out-of-the-box polish hues and lacquer combinations, which is precisely why we’re talking about our current combination du jour, white and silver nails. Not only are the two shades universally flattering, but the minimalist pairing is also chic, polished, and very on point for the plummeting temperatures and windchill. White and silver nails feel fresh for the season but don’t look so seasonal that they appear jaded or cheesy. Admittedly obsessed, we’ve been scouring the deepest depths of Instagram to find the best white and silver nails to screenshot and immediately try out for ourselves. In need of some mani inspiration? Keep scrolling!
A geometric side-eye of silver foil is the perfect complement against shining white nails.
A sprinkle of silver stars is whimsical and feels on-trend for the upcoming holidays.
Minimalism at its finest—a dash of white paired with a single sparkling silver crystal. Plus, it’s the absolute easiest to DIY at home.
Glimmering silver diamonds look pretty set against a gossamer-sheer white base.
We’re infatuated with this shimmering white nail polish from Olive and June called Stellar. Just like a fresh dusting of glistening snow, you’ll get glimpses of both white and silver sparkle depending on the way the light hits.
Want to update your almond-shaped white French with the white and silver nail combo? Just add a rhinestone stud to the mix for a still-understated touch of sparkle.
If you’re looking for some sparkle this season but aren’t a “full nail of glitter” type of person, may we suggest this more subtle version? Swipe an opaque white as your base and then add a subtle gradation of glitter.
To try the silver and white nail trend, you don’t have to go with a super-opaque shade. This pearly white topped with haphazard glittering silver is stunning.
Looking for something flashier? Silver rhinestones and opalescent pearls are also very much on the table. (Miu Miu shoes optional.)
Thin strips of silver iridescent foil are a great way to quickly elevate a bare white and neutral manicure.
We also love the easy-peasy idea of a reversed classic French manicure using, you guessed it, a crisp silver and white color palette.
White and silver marbled nails make a statement, too.
It was love at first sight when we spotted this delicate nail look featuring a splash of glittering silver polish at the tip and accentuated by pretty white shells at the base. (If you look closely, you’ll see the silver alternations within the seashell design!)
There is something so classic and beautiful about a French manicure, and executing the style on short, polished nails is the 2020/2021 way to try it. Here, we love the flash of silver at the tips instead of your typical white.
A swish of saturated silver glitter is the perfect accessory to leopard (or anything, really).
Our last five words for you and your silver and white nails inspiration? Silver foil negative-space manicure.
A subtle, shimmering white polish.
A dashing silver glitter that packs a head-turning punch.
The whitest of white polish that will last and look freshly applied for weeks. (Yes, that’s plural!)
Meet your quintessential metallic silver.
A collection of rhinestones to satisfy all of your decorative nail cravings.
The trick for applying pearls to your white and silver mani? An easy-to-adhere flat-back design like this handy pack we found on Amazon. Up next, We’ve Spent the Last 11 Months Vetting Nail Polish—Here’s the December It List
