Is the polka dot manicure the grown-up face of nail art? I’m now on my third polka dot nail design in a row, and it appears I’m in good company, because not only are polka dot nails one of this year’s most popular nail trends to bookmark, polka dots of all shades, sizes and arrangements are also fashion’s ‘ultimate power print,’ says Red’s Fashion Director, the perennially chic Oonagh Brennan.
From the fashion influences that feed into the look to layering polka dots with other nail trends, plus the colours to consider, this is the nail trend intel worth bookmarking for your next summer manicure.
What makes polka dot nails the manicure trend to try now
We’ve watched smart monochrome dots and boldly dotted French tips doing the rounds (pun not entirely intended) on our Instagram feeds and Pinterest boards for some time. This summer, though, these neat, sweet and slightly retro nail designs are about to have their time in the sun, fuelled by fashion’s penchant for a polka dot wardrobe.
‘Polka dots are the season’s ultimate power print, spotted everywhere from Chloé to Patou,’ says Oonagh. ‘Playful yet polished, every version tells its own story: white with black dots feels contemporary, navy and white stays timeless, black with white brings fashion-edge energy, while pastel dots keep things soft, pretty, and fun.’
‘Fashion is leaning into retro references again and beauty follows that,’ agrees Tinu Bello, A-List manicurist and Senior Brand Ambassador for Mylee. ‘Celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, and influencers wearing playful, graphic nails, have helped bring polka dots back into the conversation, and because they’re so simple and recognisable, they perform really well on platforms like TikTok where people want easy-to-recreate looks.’
Here I will say that I have never loved a retro vibe, and while I own a lone polka dot silk blouse, spots or dots are not my preferred print. Polka dot nails, though, I am here for, from the chocolate and baby blue reverse French tips my regular nail tech Becky Wood first suggested I try with my BIAB manicure, to the glitter-spangled pink and turquoise dots that are flashing away as I type this story.
Polka dot nails: the ‘next clean girl’ manicure
Glitter aside, I’ve loved my polka dot nails as a grown-up gateway into something other than solid colour or French tips, and the current polka dot trends offer exactly that.
‘This version of the polka dot manicure feels much more refined than previous iterations,’ says Bello. ‘Now it’s more about micro-dots, negative space, soft colour palettes and sheer bases.’ Delicately dotted nails, she says, are also the natural next step from the clean girl nails we’ve seen so much of over the past few years. ‘A tiny dot detail over a sheer nude or milky base still feels very ‘clean girl’, but with more personality.’
‘The appeal is that they feel playful yet still chic and wearable,’ agrees Stephanie Holland, Brand Ambassador for The GelBottle Inc. ‘Depending on the colours and finish, they can look minimal, fashion-forward or surprisingly luxe.’
Can polka dots be combined with other nail trends?
Here’s where layering comes in: if anything says you know your nail trends, it’s combining your polka dots with other finishes and techniques. ‘The modern version of polka dot nails is all about layering trends together in a subtle way,’ observes Townhouse founder Juanita Huber-Millet. ‘We’re seeing dots paired with soft chrome finishes, micro-French tips and sheer, jelly-like bases to give the look dimension and texture. A glossy, translucent base with tiny tonal dots feels especially current because it balances something playful with a cleaner, more elevated finish.’
‘The more elevated takes incorporate sheer bases, chrome finishes and softer placements,’ says GelBottle’s Stephanie Holland. ‘For me, a grown-up way to wear polka dots would be over a soft pink shimmer or iced chrome base with dainty white dots. It keeps the look delicate, clean and refined rather than overly girly.’
Which colours to try with polka dot nails
‘I think we’ll see more unexpected pastel pairings this summer – combinations that still feel soft, but slightly directional,’ says Huber-Millet. ‘Sky blue and butter yellow is one I particularly love, using shades like Blueberry Milk and Butter from our Townhouse Flawless Polish, for a fresh, sunlit feel. Soft pistachio greens paired with creamy whites also feel very modern.’
For my part, I loved the combination of muted lilac cat eye polish with a rich brown shimmer, and have my eye on an understated pistachio for my next manicure (possibly The GelBottle’s ultra-muted Limewash, or you can see the Townhouse colour chart here).
Can you recreate polka dot nails at home?
‘Polka dot nails are one of the easiest nail trends to recreate at home,’ says Thea Green MBE, founder of Nails.INC. ‘You don’t need professional skills or precision techniques to achieve the look, which is why it’s become such a popular DIY manicure trend.’ In fact, she continues, ‘polka dot nails’ searches on TikTok UK are up +3,274% year-on-year, ‘making it one of the fastest-growing nail design trends in the UK right now’.
While Tinu Bello recommends the Mylee Dotting Tool as an easy way to recreate polka dot nails at home, Green suggests giving the Nails.INC Mani Marker Nail Art Pen a try, sealed with a coat of Nails.INC 45 Second Speedy Gloss Top Coat with Retinol, to keep your manicure looking fresher for longer.
‘The key is to work slowly and use light, even pressure when applying each dot – applying too much pressure or product can make the dots look uneven or smudged,’ she warns. ‘Less is more: lightly pressing the tip onto the nail creates a cleaner, more defined finish. It’s also important to let your base colour dry fully before going in with the design, as this helps avoid dragging or streaking and keeps the overall look glossy and polished’.
