Should your Nail Polish Color Match your Outfit

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A simple yes or no cannot answer the question of whether a nail polish color should match an outfit. It will depend on the person, outfit, occasion and situation. With the right considerations you can find the perfect nail polish for you.
Consider the outfit
The color of the outfit may dictate whether the nail polish should match it. You will be much more likely to match a red, pink, orange or purple dress than a green or blue dress, especially if you like to wear more conventional colors.
You also need to think about the outfit as a whole. Do you have other contrasting accessories in the outfit? According to Glamour Magazine, a little contrast can make the nails stand out and avoid it appearing that you tried too hard to make the nails match perfectly. If you have the same color in every part of the outfit, the look can appear overwhelming and garish. Consider matching the accessories instead.
How closely can you match the dress?
Nail polish that is close but not exactly matching the exact hue of an outfit may be less attractive than a contrasting or purposely different color. You do not want it to look like you tried to match the outfit – and failed.
What else do you want to “say” with your nail polish?
Other factors can play a part in your nail polish selection. According to Pantone, you may choose one of the colors that are popular in the season such as a nail color based on a holiday like Valentine’s Day red. Women often choose pastels in the spring and darker colors for the colder seasons.
Is it a special occasion?
Nail polish tends to last more than one day and thus more than one outfit. If you are going to a special event you may choose to spend the extra time to match your nail polish to the outfit because you want a coordinated look. If you want a shade that will last through several outfits, then you may choose something that is more versatile like a basic red.
Consider a contrasting color
A contrasting color can match your outfit without being too obtrusive. A slightly darker hue of the same color can make your nails more noticeable without becoming overwhelming to the eye. You may choose a completely opposite color if you want something that really “pops” out.
It can be a thin line between contrasting nicely and simply clashing. Before painting your nails, hold the nail polish up to the outfit to see how well it goes with the look. Consider the above factors when deciding whether to match your outfit exactly or look for a contrasting color.