Dark Denim Nails Is the Latest Moody Mani Trend to Try This Fall

No Levi's required.

Denim has been a closet staple ever since its invention nearly two centuries ago. There's a reason the perfect pair of jeans are so sought-after: they're classic, comfortable, and go with everything from a cozy sweatshirt to a going out top.

Fall is arguably peak denim season—the cold-but-not-too-cold weather is the perfect time to throw on a denim jacket or a pair of baggy jeans for your coffee shop run, and when you think about it, it's really the only time of year a Canadian tuxedo even makes sense. And while summer's denim shorts are all about light-wash Americana vibes, when the weather gets colder we tend to opt for darker washes and more structured cuts.

So it makes perfect sense that one of fall's biggest nail trends brings the indigo shade to your manicure. Read on for everything you need to know about the dark denim nail trend, including how to get the look.

The Trend

Dark denim nails aren't a totally new thing, just a new name for a classic fall color. Every time the cold weather comes around, the shades on our nails get darker—and similar shades to dark denim blue have always been a go-to. However, this time around, the jean-inspired shade is more popular than ever.

Across #NailTok, moody shades have been having a major moment. The first to trend was the cherry mocha manicure, or as '90s nail lovers might remember it, the modern take on Chanel Vamp. This is a red-black shade that's edgy yet glamorous, and easy to pair with anything. Then came dark denim, which you can think of as cherry mocha's dark blue cousin.

Just as cherry red was popular this summer before cherry mocha took over, dark denim comes after a summer of blueberry milk, aquatic mermaidcore, and even Tiffany blue nails. So, it's only logical that all the nail enthusiasts who swore by bright blues during the warm months would want to keep the blue thing going, just in a darker rendition.

Of course, there are slight variations in the dark denim nails everyone is getting—just like the variations of dark denim washes in your closet. But, for the most part, they all fall in the category of dark navy and indigo with a slight tinge of gray similar to denim, and have a slightly more muted tone—not falling in categories like electric blue or teal.

How to Get the Look

You could head to the salon to get the look, but if you prefer to do your nails at home, the trend is very easy to DIY.

The first thing you'll need to do is find a dark denim polish you love. We recommend Dior's Denim polish ($30) for a luxury option or Essie's To Me From Me ($12) and OPI's Midnight Mantra ($12) for good drugstore options.

Then, it's just a matter of following your typical manicure routine. First, remove any lingering polish from your nails with nail polish remover. After they're clean of color, cut and file your nails to your desired length and shape—this would also be the time to apply any tips or press-ons if that's your preference. Once that's complete, buff your nails for an even bed, and apply your favorite base coat before getting into the color.

Once your base coat is dry, go in with two to three coats of the dark denim polish of your choosing and let dry.

However, if you're a fan of nail art and more intricate designs, you can use dark denim as an accent nail, for minimalist nail art, as the base coat for a chrome finish, for a French tip, or layered underneath a nail sticker. The world is your (denim-colored) oyster.

Regardless, once your plain or artistic coats dry, seal in the polish with a shiny topcoat or even a matte topcoat if you really want to channel the look of jeans. Then, give your nails a dollop of nail oil to maintain their health, and you will be ready to rock denim from head to tips.

Up Next: 20 October Nail Ideas for a Moody, Autumnal Manicure

Read the original article on Byrdie.