28 Elegant Summer Nail Ideas for Your Next Soirée

An elegant summer manicure. — @amyle.nails / instagram

Our summer calendar is quickly filling up with stylish soirées, from elegant weddings to upscale birthday parties. While outfit planning is top of mind, we're equally focused on the beauty moments that will complete each look.

At the top of our list? Choosing the manicures we'll be sporting for each sun-filled summer adventure. After browsing through our favorite nail accounts, we curated 28 elegant summer nail ideas perfect for all your dressy occasions.

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Cabana Stripes

A cabana stripe manicure. — @brushedbyb_ / instagram

Cabana stripes are trending for summer, and look ultra cute when translated to your manicure. You can play around with color schemes to make them as funky, or simple, as you please.

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Chrome Lavender Nails

A hand with decorative long nails, accessorized with multiple rings, wearing a sweater sleeve — @phoebesummernails / instagram

Pastel tones, like lavender, evoke a very summery feel. You can enhance the subtle shade with a few swipes of chrome powder, as seen here.

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Peach Sparkle Nails

A hand with manicured nails and silver rings on the fingers — @melanated.mani / instagram

Peach is a popular summer hue that looks especially stunning on nails. Adding a glittery top coat to the tips of each nail makes the warm hue look extra lovely.

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Pink Aura Nails

Hand displaying manicured nails with a gradient design and small heart accents — @phoebesummernails / instagram

For a pretty, playful look, embrace the aura nail trend. Add an extra special touch to the pink and white design by topping each nail with a small gold heart.

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Pretty Pearl Nails

peach almond nails with pearl design at the base of the nail — @melanated.mani / instagram

Pearls are the epitome of elegance, so they absolutely belong on your nails. After applying your polish, place one small pearl above your cuticle on each nail.

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Dainty Bow Nails

Hand with manicured nails featuring a pink ribbon design on one nail, wearing jewelry, against a denim fabric background — @phoebesummernails / instagram

If your outfit aesthetic leans into coquette vibes, your manicure should match. This pearly manicure, complete with a single pink bow, is so chic.

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Subtle Swirl Nails

A hand with almond-shaped nails polished in a subtle shimmering finish — @melanated.mani / instagram

It's hard not to be mesmerized by this gorgeous manicure. The faded pink base paired with the glittery silver swirls makes for an eye-catching combo.

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Blue Floral Nails

A hand with neatly manicured fingernails, featuring intricate blue floral designs — @phoebesummernails / instagram

This blue floral print is a sophisticated design for summer. Alternate between fully covered nails and French tips for added visual interest.

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Bubble Bath Swirl Nails

Bubble bath pink nails with white swirls and gold flecks. — @lolo.nailedit / instagram

For those who prefer simple nail art, consider this mani. The white wavy lines and gold flecks are the perfect options for minimalists.

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White Chrome Nails

If you want a mani that will match any outfit, a white chrome look is a safe choice. It's simple, trendy, and versatile.

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Black Tie Nails

Black and white sparkly manicure — @lolo.nailedit / Instagram

Attend your black-tie summer events with a manicure that matches the dress code. As this mani proves, black and silver is a color combination that never gets old.

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Studded Nails

Manicured hand with rings and jeweled nails — @phoebesummernails / instagram

For a more glamorous option, here's an inspiration photo to show your nail artist. Start with a sheer, milky base and then apply small silver gems to each nail for a studded look.

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Coral Cuties

A coral manicure. — @melanated.mani / instagram

Perhaps it's because the shade is so millennial-coded, but something about this juicy coral manicure screams "cool and grown up" to me. The glossy top coat also proves you know exactly what you're doing.

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Summer Watercolor Nails

A hand with painted nails featuring ornamental designs, holding a textured white knitted fabric — @lolo.nailedit / instagram

Bring watercolor artwork to your fingertips. The way the colors beautifully melt together makes this mani a true masterpiece.

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Daisy Daze

A simple daisy manicure. — @nailsbyzola / instagram

Sweet little daisies set against a glossy base make for a simple and stunning, fun-yet-elegant summer nail design.

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Creamy 3D Nails

A hand with manicured nails, pale pink polish, and a small rhinestone heart design on one nail — @overglowedit / instagram

If a wedding is on your agenda this season, celebrate love with a sweet manicure like this. The 3D heart detail on the index finger is a beautiful addition to the look.

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Negative Space French Nails

A well-manicured hand with detailed designed nails and a ring, partially covered by a white sleeve — @brushedbyb_ / instagram

Make your negative space French manicure feel fitting for summer by using colorful glitter polish. The finished look is party ready.

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Simple Swirl Nails

A hand with elegant white nail art designs visible — @amyle.nails / instagram

Spruce up your barely-there polish with some white nail art. Have fun with it and create free-flowing swirls and lines on each nail.

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Nude Gradient Nails

A hand with almond-shaped manicured fingernails in a gradient of natural tones — @nailsbycanishiea / Instagram

You can make a nude manicure feel more exciting by taking a gradient approach. Here, each nail features a distinct shade to create an ombré effect.

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Golden Polka Dot Nails

Hand with polka-dotted manicure and rings — @amyle.nails / instagram

Who said polka dots had to be black and white? Going for gold dots instead offers a refreshed, elevated take.

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Black Swirl Nails

A hand with nail art featuring curved lines, wearing rings, and holding a leather garment — @brushedbyb_ / instagram

Complete your pink chrome look with bold, black wavy lines. The squiggly lines should look different on each nail to make the mani feel more artistic.

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Bejeweled Nails

A hand with jewel-adorned pink nails and decorative rings, wearing lace — @amyle.nails / instagram

The more sparkle, the better. Accessorize your shimmery pink nails with all the jewels and gems your heart desires.

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Silver Gem Nails

A hand with long nails featuring a pink base and rhinestone accents — @brushedbyb_ / instagram

Embellish your baby pink nails with chunky silver rhinestones. You can copy the pattern in this look or put your own spin on the gem placement.

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Pink French Nails

Hand with neatly manicured nails featuring an elegant summer design — @amyle.nails / instagram

Take a break from your white French manicure this summer and try a pink one instead. Make the look feel extra chic with simple white wavy lines.

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Colorful Embellished Nails

Hand with long fingernails featuring intricate multicolored nail art designs and patterns — @brushedbyb_ / instagram

Summer always encourages us to play with color, and that extends to our manicures. This creative, colorful set features so many trends, like gold chrome and builder gel.

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Short Pink Nails

A hand with pink manicured nails holding fabric from a sleeve — @lolo.nailedit / Instagram

For a short nail moment, you can't go wrong with a baby pink polish. The soft shade will pair well with any dressy outfit.

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Ethereal Glitter Nails

Hand featuring long manicured nails with a polished and glittery design on each nail — @brushedbyb_ / instagram

There's no such thing as too much sparkle, and this ethereal manicure has tons of it. From the shimmery French tips to the sparkly base polish, you're bound to shine in this look.

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