Everyone should have a white dress in their closet. A simple white dress is one of the most versatile pieces of clothing that exists! A white dress can work for any occasion. It goes with everything and it’s so easy to dress up or down. So, what color nail polish goes with a white dress?
Well…the choices are pretty much endless.
So, white goes with pretty much anything, but how do you pick the perfect match?
Don’t panic, because, in this post, we’re gonna check out the top nail colors to rock with your white dress.
I’m gonna give you some specific nail polish picks that look great with white.
And I’ll throw in some tips, tricks, and advice for finding the best nail color for you.
Ready to find out what nail colors pair perfectly with a white dress? Let’s do this!
In a hurry?
Alright, here’s the quick answer for you on what nail polish color goes with a white dress:
White dresses are pretty much the perfect canvas for any nail color. If you’re into neutral shades, you can’t go wrong with black, navy, beige, brown, taupe, or gray. Want to add a little sparkle? Go for gold, silver, or copper. Feeling a little more adventurous? Try olive, forest, sage, or emerald green. Love a pop of color? You can’t go wrong with cherry, orange, or orangey-red. Looking for something a little bolder? Sky or royal blue, lemon, mustard or bright yellow, and lilac, violet, or teal will all look amazing.
Great, now you’ve got some ideas to play with!
Let’s go deeper and see what color nail polish goes with a white dress and the kind of looks you can create.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Table of contents:
Tips, tricks, and advice for picking out the right polish color
“How do you match your nails to your dress?”. I’ve heard this question so many times.
A lot of people struggle when it comes to matching nails to their outfits.
So, in this section, we’ll go over a few key things to think about when you’re planning your overall look.
First, let me say that the information and color matching throughout this post works for any white clothing, not just dresses.
You can wear any of the nail colors suggested here with a white shirt, a white tee, a white sweater… well, you get the idea.
Please don’t to tempted to skip over this section, because these tips are like gold dust.
Once you’re done reading, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to make great color choices.
So when you’re planning an outfit, where do you start?
Well, here’s the first question to ask yourself.
What do I like and what suits my style?
A white dress can be tough to style because it’s basically a blank canvas.
There are so many different directions you could go in, that it can be hard to make a decision.
Do you glam it up, or dress it down?
Should you go for an edgy, grungy look, or something a little more elegant and timeless?
The nail polish color you pick should reflect your personal taste.
Think about what suits you and your preferred style.
If you’re not sure what you’re current style is, look through your closet and pull out your favorite pieces.
You could also ask your friends or take a quiz online.
Want a vintage look or an artsy vibe?
Then you might pair your white dress with a delicate brown, warm yellow, peach, lavender, or pale green nail polish.
Like a casual, minimal, or boho look?
Then white, gray, blush, or rose pink could be just the thing.
Want to grab some attention with a bold or sexy look?
Then royal blue, canary yellow, or a bright cherry red polish could be great choices for you.
If a nail polish color goes with your dress, but you don’t like it – stay away!
With a white dress you can easily find a color you’ll love and want to wear again and again.
On to the next question to ask yourself.
What time of year is it?
It might be helpful to think about when you’ll be wearing your dress to help you pick the perfect nail color.
We all know that some colors are more appropriate for certain seasons, right?
Check out these examples:
Colors for Springtime – pastel shades, coral, soft yellows, sky blue and baby blue.
Summer shades – vibrant oranges and strong yellows, lime green, and Fuschia/hot pink.
Fall time vibes – earthy shades of green, oranges, plus brown and mustard yellow.
Winter colors – icy cool blues, brilliant white, metallics like silver and gold, and berry reds.
Nail polish brands always come out with new collections for every season.
You can totally use these collections as inspiration when choosing nail colors to complement your outfit.
If you’re rocking your dress during fall, picking a nail color from a fall collection is a no-brainer.
Not only will it match the season, but it’s also an easy way to stay on-trend.
Here’s another key question to ask yourself:
What’s the occasion?
Think about where you’ll be heading and what you’ll be doing in your dress before you pick a nail color.
It can really help you hone in on the perfect color choices.
Is it a special occasion or a fancy event like prom?
If it’s a fancy event, you might wanna skip out on pastels and neutrals.
Why?
The reason is that pastels and neutrals are more appropriate for daytime events or outdoor activities.
Metallic polishes like gold, silver, rose gold, or copper are great choices with a white dress for a formal event.
You could also go for any nail color with a metallic finish, like emerald green for example.
Bold nail polish shades and jewel tones work well for formal events. So does classic red and navy.
And don’t forget to think about what kind of event it is when deciding on your nail polish.
Is it a party or something more formal?
The nail color you’d wear to a friend’s wedding might be different from what you’d wear to a work event, a funeral, or a job interview.
Just throwing some ideas out there.
Fashion has no rules, so let your creative spirit take control.
Rock that pastel dress at the fancy event, or rock a metallic one at lunch if that’s what your heart desires! Go for it, be true to yourself!
I’m just trying to throw out some ideas to help you choose if you need a little guidance.
Here’s another example:
Let’s say that you are planning a first date look.
You may consider choosing a polish color like a pretty blush, lavender, or a subtle rose pink.
Why?
These colors are associated with the feminine and romance.
No matter what the occasion, it’s never a bad idea to think about what vibe you’re going for and pick out a polish that will help you to achieve that vibe.
A note on skin tone
Want to make sure your nails look their best?
One thing to consider is the undertones of your skin.
Certain colors can complement or clash with them.
If you have cool undertones, cool-toned nail polish is the way to go.
If you’re warm-toned, warm-toned polishes will be most flattering.
Not sure what I mean by undertones?
No problem, check out this guide on how to match nail polish colors to your skin tone.
Well, let’s start with neutral colors.
What color nail polish goes with a white dress? Neutral polish colors that go.
Neutral nail polish colors are the best!
No matter what you’re wearing, you can not go wrong with neutrals.
They go with everything and they work for any occasion.
I love neutrals so much, that I wrote a post all about them.
Check it out. It’s called 14 nail polish colors that go with any outfit.
1 or 2 of the colors might surprise you!
White is a neutral color, so you can wear it with any other neutral nail polish color.
But, some neutrals will work better for you depending on your skin tone and the look you want.
Here are the best neutral nail polish colors to pair with your white dress.
Black
Black and white are a glamourous and stylish combination that will never go out of fashion.
A word of caution though. If you are super pale (like me) or you have soft coloring, then black nails might look too gothic on you.
If gothic is the look you’re going for, then great! But if not, you might want to consider navy blue instead.
Navy
I can not get over how amazing navy nails are!
Navy nails are sophisticated, classy, elegant, and timeless.
They’ve become my go-to for formal events.
I love how navy and white look together – elegant but unexpected.
Navy nails are also incredibly versatile.
Depending on what you wear, they can give you a moody, dark feel that’s appropriate for a funeral.
Or they can elevate an outfit to fashionista status.
Wear your white dress one day, then throw on blue jeans the next.
It’s crazy how much navy nails can elevate a blue-jeans outfit!
Beige
Beige nails with a white dress might seem boring. But it doesn’t have to be.
Personally, I love the refined, elegant, and timeless looks you can create by pairing beige and white.
It’s a minimalist’s dream!
For me, beige nails with a white dress communicate understated, effortless, stylish elegance.
If you want to look fabulous in a way that seems as though you didn’t try too hard, this is a great combination to try out.
Beige nails and a white dress will work really well with brown or tan accessories, so if your shoes are brown – you just found your ideal combo!
Brown
Brown nails may not be the most glamourous choice of nail color.
But brown can work really well as a nude on dark skin.
I wouldn’t suggest wearing brown with your white dress for a formal event.
But if you’re looking for an earthy, natural vibe that’s casual and perfect for summer – hello brown nail polish!
Taupe
Are your shoes, bag, or other accessories gray, or tan?
If so, taupe nail polish will compliment your white dress outfit perfectly!
Even if you not wearing any gray or tan, taupe nails will give you a sophisticated look that’s modern and chic.
For a relaxed, casual vibe, taupe nail polish is also a great choice.
Gray
Wanna look that oozes cool sophistication?
Try a stone-cold gray nail polish.
When wearing white, theoretically, you can wear any shade of gray nail polish.
However, If you want contrast – it’s best to stick with mid to dark grays.
Mid, cool-toned grays (like stone) are perfect with a white dress for a modern, minimalist look.
You should avoid lighter grays because they won’t provide enough contrast.
Cool-toned colors that match a white dress
The colors in this section are all cool-based.
They tend to be the most flattering for cool-skinned beauties.
If the veins on your wrist look blue, then your skin has cool undertones, and the polish colors in this section will be the most flattering for you.
You can also wear these nail colors if you have neutral-toned skin.
Green
There are quite a few shades of green that really pop against a white dress.
For maximum impact, I recommend emerald green!
Emerald green adds a touch of luxury to a white dress that’s chic and sophisticated.
It will help take your look to the next level for formal events.
Try wearing an emerald green polish with your white dress, I guarantee you’ll get a ton of compliments!
OPI does a gorgeous emerald green polish. It’s called Suzi-san Climbs Fuji-san.
Or try Zoya’s Giovanna.
Sage and white also work really well together.
I love sage nails with a white dress for the summer.
Sage and white are great if you want something a bit more casual.
I love Essie’s Sage you Love Me.
If you want something with impact but not too formal then you might want to consider Forest green.
This is another strong green shade that goes with a white dress and makes a bold statement.
Teal
Teal is a cool, blue-green shade that looks fabulous with a white dress.
It’s a versatile color that works for any time of year.
Teal works for any occasion. But it’s a particularly good color to wear for job interviews.
This is because teal communicates clarity of thought and calmness.
I like OPI’s Is That a Spear in your Pocket?
And Essie’s Garden Variety.
Purple
Want a look that’s elegant, romantic, and feminine?
Then a purple polish could be your perfect match.
Light soft purples, like lilac and lavender, for example, complement a white dress beautifully.
Blue
Most blue polish shades will work with a white dress.
For a relaxed, summertime vibe – try a sky blue polish like Essie’s Borrowed and Blue.
But if you want to make a statement, go for something like royal blue or even cobalt.
If you’re looking for a bold blue that suits all skin tones – I’d recommend Zoya’s Tallulah.
What color nail polish goes with a white dress? Warm-toned colors that work.
The colors in this section all have warm undertones, which means that they will look best on warm-skinned beauties.
You don’t necessarily have to have a warm skin tone to wear these colors.
But if your skin is warm, then these nail polish shades will compliment your undertones perfectly.
Yellow
For a pop of color that will breathe life into a white dress, opt for yellow nail polish.
Yellow is the perfect accent color for white.
It works particularly well for spring and summer outfits.
You could go for a bright, sunshine yellow like Zoya’s Pippa if you want something bold with plenty of personality.
Or you could try a pastel lemon yellow like Essie’s Summer Soulstice or Zoya’s Daisy or mustard yellow like OPI’s the IT Color.
OPI’s No Faux Yellow is very high impact and will totally liven up your outfit!
It’s an amazing bright yellow shade that won the 2021 Glamour Beauty Award.
Earth tones that compliment a white dress
Earthy nail polish colors pair nicely with white.
We’ve talked about sage green already.
You can wear sage anytime you want an earthy, toned-down look.
Sage green also works like a neutral – so you can wear it with most things.
If you want relaxing, summer festival-type vibes – pair your white dress with sage nails.
If you want stylish and sophisticated (but still earthy) – then try Olive green.
Browns and terracotta shades should work well too.
Check out CND’s Clay Canyon or Zoya’s Dea.
Bold polish colors that work with a white dress
Do you want noticeable nails that will grab everyone’s attention?
If so, this is the section for you.
Let’s take a look at some bold and beautiful polish options.
To get those nails noticed!
Yellow and green
For maximum impact, look for super strong yellow and green shades.
Think neon. The brighter the better!
Yellows with Sunshine in the name or the description are usually a safe bet.
Stay away from washed-out pastel shades and mustard.
It doesn’t get much bolder than OPI’s award-winning No Faux Yellow.
Chartreuse is an attention-grabbing yellowy-green shade.
Lime green is another good option to draw all eyes to your nails.
For a green with a kick, try Zoya’s Link.
It’s an in-your-face Neon green that screams “look at me!”.
Orange and Red-orange
Depending on the shade you choose, orange is a great choice for a bold or a boho look.
It’s perfect for summer festivals.
Orange is a fun color that’s both punchy and positive.
Dial up the intensity and the heat with nails in a vibrant red-orange shade.
Look for bright, punchy corals, or reds with a lot of orange in them.
If you like red-orange nails, Zoya’s Virginia and Rocha are amazing shades to try out.
What color nail polish goes with a white dress? Metallic nail polish colors that work
If you like your metallics, I’ve got awesome news!
Gold, silver, copper, and rose gold all work really well with a white dress.
So go crazy with nails and accessories in any metallic you like!
Why not choose your favorite necklace, ring, or earrings, and paint your nails to match!
Of course, any nail polish color that has a metallic finish is also fair game.
Think shimmery green, metallic purple or electric blue for example.
Do you love rose gold? Try Zoya’s Esme or Essie’s Penny Talk – they’re both gorgeous!
For silver, go with something like OPI’s Silver on Ice.
I don’t wear gold nail polish, but my gold-loving friends say Soleil by Zoya is good.
It’s an antique gold that’s great for warm skin tones.
Other polish colors that go with a white dress
Still on the hunt for that perfect polish match?
Then have a look at these ideas for more great polish colors that go well with a white dress.
Blush pink
A white dress paired with blush pink nails is a match made in heaven, the softness of the pink color is really lovely.
Blush nails are understated and chic.
Blush pink nails with a white dress are perfect for a date, they give a feminine and delicate look that creates a romantic vibe.
Two of my go-to blush shades for nails are Zoya’s Joss and Don’t Make Me Blush by China Glaze.
Raspberry red
Berry shades like raspberry are a good color to pair with a white dress all year round.
But I especially enjoy this combination in the fall and winter months.
If you like raspberry nails and glitter – try Blaze by Zoya – it’s stunning!
Dusty rose
This is one of my personal fav’s.
Dusty rose nails look dreamy and oh so classy with a white dress.
If you have light skin, or soft coloring and the aesthetic of an English country garden speaks to you, dusty rose nail polish is the perfect choice for you.
Two great options for a dusty rose nail polish are Nails Inc in the color Uptown and Dior’s Incognito.
Key Takeaways
So what have we learned by studying what color nail polish goes with a white dress?
There’s no need to stress about finding the perfect polish match for your white dress.
White is neutral. It goes with anything and everything.
That means it would be really hard to choose a polish color that didn’t work at all!
Answer the questions above, think about your personal style and the look you want, then take it from there.
I hope you enjoyed my what color nail polish goes with a white dress? post!
Good luck and have a magical experience wearing your white dress 🤗
