15 Dark Academia Nails That Take Us Straight to Prep School

Whether you’re a self-proclaimed academic or just have have a soft spot for antique books, century-old mysteries, and dimly lit libraries, there’s no denying that the dark academia movement gives us an escape from our everyday lives in ways other nostalgia-fueled beauty movements can’t. I’ve always appreciated seeing videos of prep school–inspired style guides set to the Chamber Orchestra of London’s “Secret History” and Norah Jones’s discography pop up on my TikTok For You page, but there’s something so enchanting about blending lived academic experiences with fictional ones.

Since I’ve been cozying up with lengthy mystery novels and pulling out all my oversize wool sweaters, I’m taking this as the perfect opportunity to share my favorite dark academia–inspired manicures, from moody polka dots to gold-speckled gilded hearts. There’s something here for everyone.

Negative Space

There’s nothing more classic than combining two neutral shades, but I’m a huge fan of playing with negative space for an unexpected twist to any nail look. To achieve the manicure above, nail artist Betina Goldstein placed two black circles on the lower right-hand corner of her index and middle finger against a creamy, neutral base. Simple yet effective, this is one way to take your next manicure to the next level.

Collegiate Brown

If your goal is to achieve a moody manicure just in time for donning trench coats and knitted scarves, consider reaching for a chocolate-brown polish that’s rich and ultra-pigmented. To really pull of that mysterious look, you might even opt for a nail polish that’s only a couple shades above an inky black with warm undertones and some extra shine.

Polka Dots and Graphic Lines

Polka dots have experienced a renaissance recently, but I’m also seeing a rise in animal textures and traditional prints, such as stripes and plaid. Why not take some notes from this manicure by Paragon Nails and combine several trending patterns? From amber tortoiseshell and a realistic cowhide print to graphic lines and dots, these neutral nails have everything covered.

Deep-green manicures dominate the dark academia aesthetic, but a hint of shimmer adds a certain edginess and elegance to the look. For the manicure above, Mate Janova used Manucurist’s Green Nail Polish in Poison ($14). A shimmering forest green, the polish offers opaque coverage and looks stunning against any skin tone.

Nails in metal tones have been taking over my Instagram Explore page lately, but so have timeless gold foil designs. Iram Shelton’s take on the trend combines jelly nails with a delicate heart design against a shimmering gold-foil background. Not only is it a festive way of upgrading a neutral nail look, but it also delivers a design reminiscent of the hand-painted, architectural details of the past.

Practical Plaid

It’s no secret that plaid has deep ties to academia (especially prep schools and Ivy League institutions), so incorporating the pattern into your manicure is an easy way to wear a timeless design on your nails. While I tend to associate plaid with fall and winter, the pattern is perfect for year-round elegance. One of the best ways to wear it is as an accent against a deep berry, like these Pink Oblivion nails.

Here’s one unexpected ways to add a sporty twist to your manicure. These neutral nails by Queenie Nguyen blend a cinnamon-brown base (Orly’s Nail Polish in Canyon Clay) with an eye-catching white stripe below the tips. While this design does resemble a French manicure, the shade remains consistent from the top to bottom.

Preppy Neutrals

For longer nails, consider creating a chic striped nail design using three of your favorite neutral polishes and one shimmering one. (I’m partial to silver, as shown in this manicure.) Images of polo players in their signature shirts and stripes come to mind whenever I see nails that look like these on my Pinterest feed.

Good Penmanship

As a former English literature major, I love a good Old English print for an academic touch. To create this manicure, start with a creamy neutral polish and then, with time and patience, use a skinny brush to create the elegant, swooping curls and sharp corners of the black letter font to create an initial.

Classic Tortoiseshell

Looking for a glowy tortoiseshell manicure to show your nail artist for the next nail appointment? I’m loving Shelton’s take on the classic print, which features a luminous amber base and black organic-shaped flakes to form a molted pattern. For something lighter, consider trading out the warm amber for a blonde brown.

This manicure by Charlotte Cliff is proof that the ideal moody fall manicure consists of polka dots, tortoiseshell, a French tip, and chocolate brown. It’s a playful take on several trends we’ve been seeing over the past year. The neutral tones and eye-catching details are sure to earn you a few compliments from strangers.

Minimalist Metals

Small details in minimalist metals can add intrigue to nails without being overly bold. Inspired by the warm and cool tones of fall, this manicure was created by Cliff by combining amber and blonde tortoiseshell prints with simple negative-space designs. For a finishing touch, she added retro starburst nail stickers and small gemstones.

Deep Leather

Dark-brown nails are my favorite for creating bookish manicures, but I’m drawn to shades with intense purple undertones like the one used for this sophisticated nail look by Julia Diogo. I love how it catches the light and leaves the skin with a glowy appearance. I think it would look stunning paired with a glittery topcoat in the same shade.

Another color I associate with the dark academia aesthetic is this bold shade of red. Deep and romantic, it adds a measure of drama to your manicures. To create her jewel-toned manicure, Janova used Manucurist’s Green Nail Polish in Hollyhock ($7).

Toasted Caramel

With all this talk of vivid jewel tones and neutrals, it wouldn’t be fair to skip the amber nail manicures that have been popping up on all the most stylish people. Dubbed the toasted caramel manicure by celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen, these nails feature an ombré melt of golden brown tones with a soft, velvety finish for a golden glow.