NaillyA black dress is a blank canvas, so almost any nail colour works. The better question is what mood you want, and what your shoes and jewellery are doing.
Classic choices
- Red: timeless and confident. A blue-red looks sharp; a warm red looks softer. See red nail theory.
- Nude: clean and elegant, and lets the dress be the statement. Find your shade in our nude nails guide.
- Glossy black: sleek and modern; try a black French on nude for something lighter.
Glamorous choices
- Gold or silver chrome to echo your jewellery.
- Champagne shimmer for a soft glow.
- Jewel tones: emerald, sapphire or burgundy look rich against black.
- Velvet cat-eye in deep red or green for evening.
Matching your shoes and jewellery
- Silver shoes or jewellery: silver chrome, icy white, cool nude or a blue-red.
- Gold shoes or jewellery: gold glitter or chrome, warm nude, champagne or a warm red.
- Red shoes: match them with red nails, or keep nails nude so the shoes stand out.
By occasion
- Wedding guest: nude, milky, micro French or champagne. Keep it elegant. Our wedding nails guide has more.
- Party or New Year's: glitter, chrome or a bold red. See New Year's nails.
- Work event: nude, sheer pink or a soft red.
Want to see it before you book? Design the exact set in Nailly — shape, length, colour, finish and art on every finger — then send it to a real nail artist in your city who can claim it and book you. Live on the App Store for the US and Canada; everything is open for your first week, then it is one monthly membership.
Questions people ask
What nail color goes with a black dress?
Classic red, a polished nude, glossy black, metallic gold or silver, and deep jewel tones like emerald or burgundy all work with a black dress.
What nail color goes with a black dress and silver shoes?
Silver chrome, a cool-toned nude, icy white, or a blue-red that ties in with silver jewellery.
What nail color goes with a black dress and gold shoes?
Gold glitter or gold chrome, a warm nude, champagne, or a warm red. Gold accents on a nude base also look elegant.
What nails should I wear with a black dress to a wedding?
Soft and elegant choices work best at weddings: a nude or milky base, a micro French, champagne shimmer or a classic red, depending on the dress code.
Keep exploring: Nailly for brides · The best nail design apps, compared · The Best App for Nail Artists: Clients Who Arrive Already Decided · Nail glossary