Old-money nails aren’t about chasing every single trend on NailTok – they’re about picking colors, shapes, and finishes that always read expensive. The whole vibe comes from social media’s obsession with quiet luxury aesthetic, which is basically minimalism but with a side of cashmere. Classic shades, glossy finishes, and perfect shaping are the foundation, but that doesn’t mean they’re boring. It’s about knowing which shades whisper wealth without logos and which subtle details keep it fresh for 2025. So let’s break down exactly how to nail the look this year.
Light pink – sheer, polished, and never too pigmented
This is the first rule of old-money pinks: the second the shade gets too bright or pigmented, it stops looking rich and starts looking cute. And cute is NOT what we’re going for here. You want neutral-toned light pinks that look like expensive hand soap.
Keep it short to mid-length in almond or squoval shapes, and always finish with a glossy topcoat (matte makes it look flat and sad). And if you’re DIY-ing? I’ve tried an embarrassing amount of sheer pinks over the years, and nothing beats Essie Ballet Slippers. It’s subtle, clean, and gives that “my nails just are this perfect” energy.
Red mani – the rich girl classic, but only if you get the tone right
Rich-girl red is bold, confident, but never attention-seeking. No orange undertones – you’re looking for true red, cherry, wine, or burgundy with a glossy finish. Personally, I always rotate between OPI Big Apple Red (the classic), Malaga Wine (my forever moody burgundy), and DND Wineberry #061 (hands-down the prettiest wine red I’ve tried).
In 2025, glossy red nails are having a big comeback thanks to the return of “power woman” aesthetics – but it only works if you keep the shape clean and the length manageable. Long red claws? Less heritage-core, more new-money.
Milky white – clean-girl meets cashmere-core
Milky white nails are the ultimate upgrade from the chalky whites we all wore at some point (guilty 🙋♀️). The old-money way to wear it is sheer, soft, and slightly translucent so it looks clean and luxurious. If it looks like Wite-Out, it’s a hard no, okay?
I usually keep mine short squoval or soft almond for that soap-nail perfection. And if you need a polish rec, OPI Funny Bunny is the one. It’s the milky white holy grail – soft, wearable, and just bougie enough to feel like you’re in a Nancy Meyers movie.
Brown nails – quiet luxury in color
Shades like dark chocolate, espresso, and soft latte just feel expensive – like they belong with vintage designer handbags and a cashmere wrap. Even the 2025 Pantone pick, Mocha Mousse, is giving understated elegance. I usually skip anything too warm or orangey since that can start leaning granola instead of Grace Kelly.
If you’re new to brown manis (hi, welcome, you’re gonna be obsessed), the trick is all in the details: short to mid-length, square or soft round shape, and a mirror-shine gloss. I rotate between OPI’s Not Afraid of the Dark for that dramatic dark-chocolate look and You Don’t Know Jacques! for a softer, taupey neutral.
Nude nails – the “your nails, but better” pick
Yes, everyone loves to say “your nails, but better,” but they never mention the part where you buy three bottles that all somehow look like dried glue or bad concealer. The right nude polish is totally custom. It matches your undertone and blends into your skin so perfectly it looks like you were born with flawless, sculpted nails.
I’ve tested way too many (nail-girlie problems), but Zoya’s sheers and Londontown’s neutrals have given me the most “old money, who me?” results. When it hits, it hits. You end up with clean-girl nails that make you look like you own cashmere loungewear and don’t know what gel extensions are.
French tips – the OG old-money manicure
Old money loves tradition, and nothing’s more iconic than a French tip. But skip the blocky white tips – we’re not doing Carmela Soprano cosplay in 2025. The vibe is refined minimalism – short to mid-length nails only, with either micro tips or a classic shape.
If you want to really elevate it, try a foggy French – the tip softly fades into the base for a diffused, seamless look. Bonus points if you swap your natural base for a sheer milky one to soften the contrast even more. It pairs with literally every outfit and looks like money every single time.
In 2025, navy nails are the go-to polish for preppy girlies who brunch in blazers and casually own multiple trench coats. It feels a little softer than black but still has that confident, Ivy League vibe that screams money (but, like, in a library voice) – I’m obsessed with Zoya Ryan for this exact reason.
If you want it to stay rich-coded, stick to short nails with sharp shaping – nothing claw-y. And I’m telling you, this shade looks so good with classic fashion like structured coats, pinstripes, and loafers. It’s giving rainy-day-in-Oxford vibes. It’s giving Ralph Lauren catalog. And yes, I am wearing it for the third week in a row. Mind your business.
Chrome finish – yes, it can be rich coded (if you don’t overdo it)
I know what you’re thinking: “Chrome and old-money nails? Bestie, since when?” But hear me out – 2025 is all about that soft chrome loophole. The secret is skipping the wild, Instagram-trendy colors and layering chrome over the classics – light pink, milky white, or your go-to nude.
When it’s done this way, the reflective/pearly finish stops being the whole show and starts acting like jewelry for your nails. Think of it like slipping on your fave pearl earrings: they don’t shout for attention, but they complete the look every single time.
Dark green – the jewelry box pick
Dark greens like emerald are rich-coded by nature (hello, literal color of money). They pair perfectly with all the rich-girl staples: camel coats, white shirts, houndstooth blazers, gold rings, and they don’t scream for attention. Just steer clear of anything too grassy or yellow-toned; once it leans swampy, the country-club elegance is gone.
Bonus: In 2025, jewel tones are trending again, so this one’s both classic and current. A slight marble swirl also works here if you’re feeling a little extra. And if you’re hunting for a polish rec, Essie Off Tropic is that girl – bold but still buttoned up.
Sheer & glossy nails – barely there, but rich
This is the minimalist mani that says, “Oh, my nails? They just look like this.” Sheer and glossy nails are the quietest flex of the old-money playbook – barely-there color, max shine, and suddenly you’re that girl who always has clean hair and fresh roses at home.
All you need is one sheer coat in a soft pink, beige, or even a hint of lavender, topped with the glossiest topcoat you own. You’re going for glow, not pigment. And if you want the ultimate shade? OPI Bubble Bath still reigns in 2025.
Tortoise shell pattern – the rich-girl version of nail art
The amber-and-black swirls give major old-money energy because they mimic all the luxury staples – vintage sunglasses, antique hair combs, heirloom handbag hardware. Tortie nails are warm, patterned, but never loud, which is exactly why they works.
On old-money inspo boards, tortoiseshell almost always shows up on short nails with glossy finishes that say “I read Vogue, not watch hauls.” Whether you pair it with chocolate browns or jet black accents, it adds just enough personality without stepping outside the trust-fund dress code.
Black nails – the stealth-wealth power move
Black nails = rich, powerful, fashion-coded. But here’s the deal: matte black? Immediately strips the luxe away. And if you’re going long and pointy, that’s veering straight into TikTok baddie territory. For that timeless style, keep it short, square or rounded, and so shiny you could check your reflection in it.
Now, if you’re doing this yourself, get ready to babysit that topcoat – one chip, and suddenly the whole luxury illusion goes out the window. So, you know, be high-maintenance about it. My go-to polish? OPI Black Onyx – rich, it’s dramatic, and it never lets me down.
Adding accents? Yes, but keep them subtle
Yes, old money manicures can have nail art details – but they should be subtle. A single pearl at the cuticle, a delicate gold line, or a faint swirl – the I-have-generational-wealth aesthetic thrives on minimal details that feel intentional but not showy. It’s all about balance: just enough detail to feel customized, but never enough to feel loud.
And that’s the old money nail formula for 2025: understated colors, glossy finishes, and short-to-mid lengths. Now onto you- which shade are you running with? Drop your faves in the comments and show TPI some love on socials 💅✨
