Short nails are having their it-girl moment and October is the perfect time to embrace the look. From fun designs that tap in to your inner child to moody tones that flirt with fall’s darker side, these petite manicures take up a space of their own. Whether you’re sipping espresso in a camel trench or lighting a warm & spicy candle, this month’s nail inspiration is all about elegance + edge. We put together 20 chic short nail ideas that are as refined as they are wearable — curated for the modern Gazette Gal who knows that less is always, effortlessly, more.
Fall is in full effect, and the best part of fall is the colors. These muted fall colors scream cozy chic. When thinking of fall colors people normally gravitate towards browns and oranges but don’t let that limit you. Any muted color can really work for fall especially, those in darker tones.
Patterned nails are always fun, and these fall-inspired patterns are right on trend this season. So far, 2025 nails have been all about the polka dot and fun leopard print combinations. Another idea that is super fun for the fall is plaid-inspired nail art. Nothing screams fall like some plaid, but any pattern can work for fall if you use the right fall color palette.
Press-ons are a great way to save money and time on a nail set. Instead of sitting in the nail salon waiting for your nails to dry, just pop on a fresh set from anywhere. Another great factor of press-ons is the ability to try new styles without ruining a fresh manicure if you don’t like the way it looks. Here are some of my favorite fall press-ons from Chillhouse.
