Nail It!: Breaking Nail Color Stereotypes

October 1, 2009 at 9:30 am Michelle Mismas Leave a comment

On a routine trip to my local drugstore, I picked up a new bottle of black nail polish that just HAD to come home with me.  As I was checking out, the clerk said to me, “Getting ready for Halloween?”  I realize I live in Middle America but surely black polish sans witch costume can’t be that radical a concept!  If only she had glanced at my green tips she would have figured out that I wasn’t playing dress-up, right?

Though even as recent as last fall I also gave in to preconceived notions about nail color.  During the season premiere of Gossip Girl I spied a set of vampy talons claw Nate Archibald’s chest and thought, “Rut-roh, what kind of vixen has Nate fallen prey to?!”  Without even a word or a glimpse of her face, I pre-judged another woman based on her nail polish.

I say it’s time we break these stereotypes and realize that nail color is an accessory, not a personality trait.  Rather than let our nails define us, we need define what they mean in how we incorporate polish into our overall style.

Let’s take a look at how the same nail color can take on completely opposite attitudes depending on the ensemble.

Black
Stereotype: The shade of rock stars and goths, a black nail is edgy and dark best suited to Elvira, hipsters and legions of punk rock fans.

Truth: Worn on short, slightly rounded nails, black is elegant and what I consider a “new neutral.”  Black has joined Red, Pink and Sheer as staples of a well rounded nail wardrobe.  It has surpassed trends to become a classic.  You can wear it rocker chic or upscale evening as shown on Taylor Momsen (left).  If you feel jet black is too harsh try a blackened plum, berry or red.

White
Stereotype: White is mod, chalky and cheesy, like you painted your nails with Wite-Out.

Truth: A creamy white looks fresh and clean.  The key is to pair it with soft shapes like the top on Lea Michele (far right) or a modern take on retro like Gwen Stefani’s style (near right).  Even an off-white will work as long as it’s opaque.  Just avoid pearly opalescent shades.  They can easily move you into grandma territory.

Green
Stereotype: A lot of women feel that unique colors like green, blue and gray are best left to the teen/young adult scene.  That unusual nail shades aren’t age appropriate once you pass 30.  They’re often considered too funky and outrageous for everyday wear.

Truth: As a thirty-something and longtime proponent of green nails I never understood the aversion to bold polish colors.  They may be more difficult to wear but certainly not impossible.  Women looking for a work friendly shade should try a dove grey or pastel green like the one shown on the Chanel Fall runway (far left).  For night, opt for a darker version that isn’t all in your face screaming, “Hey, I”m wearing green!” like the blackened teal shown at the Doo.Ri Fall show (near left).

Entry filed under: Nail It!. Tags: black nail polish, colored nail polish, nail color, nail polish.