Your Girly Tomboy Era: What Nails To Wear?

Your Girly Tomboy Era: What Nails To Wear?

In the realm of fashion and personal style, there exists a captivating paradox known as the “girly tomboy” aesthetic.

It’s an artful fusion of traditionally feminine elements with a touch of boyish charm, resulting in a unique and alluring blend that defies conventional stereotypes. This evolving trend celebrates the duality within individuals, embracing the delicate balance between femininity and masculinity.

When it comes to nail design ideas for ladies in their tomboy era, there are a couple of options to explore that embrace the androgynous aesthetic.

Here are some ideas that are getting seen on the internet recently:

Solid Colors: Opt for clean and simple solid colors like nude, white, black, or pastel shades. These shades create a minimalist and polished appearance suitable for short nails.

Pastel stripes by @safinailstudio

Minimalist Stripes: Sparse thin stripes can create a look that is polished but does not look feminine at all. Use nail striping tape to create real thin straight lines in a single color, or in the colors of the rainbow.

Taupe and black nail art from @alexandrawos_indigoedu

Minimalist Dots: Create a playful and minimalistic look by adding small dots in a pattern or randomly on the nails. Use a dotting tool or a toothpick to achieve precise dots.

Your Girly Tomboy Era: What Nails To Wear?
Your Girly Tomboy Era: What Nails To Wear?
Red and black dots by @jodieswannell.manicurist
Neon pink dots by @anouknailedit

Snakeskin Nail Stickers: There are tons of minimalist nail stickers available that feature simple designs. But one of the coolest ones are the snakeskin stickers. The transparent ones will look best over a dark green polish, but you can also paint the snakeskin effect using a polish. These look amazing for short nails.

Your Girly Tomboy Era: What Nails To Wear?
Your Girly Tomboy Era: What Nails To Wear?
Handmade snakeskin effect by @rebeccapaintsnails

Plain Matte Nails: Embrace a sleek and edgy look by opting for matte nail finishes. Choose dark or muted shades like navy blue, forest green, or burgundy for a sophisticated touch. This style is perfect for those who prefer a more subtle and refined appearance.

Neutral Tones: Go for a classic neutral look by choosing neutral tones such as beige, taupe, or dusty pink. These colors add a touch of femininity but you’ll maintain some tomboy edge.

Beige nail art on short nails by @__nym923

Edgy Accents: Add a hint of rebellion to your nails with edgy accents. Incorporate metallic elements, studs, or graphic details for an androgynous twist. Consider incorporating elements inspired by streetwear, rock, or punk culture to create a bold statement.

Geometric design in masculine colors

Alt French Tips: Put a modern spin on the classic French manicure by going for monochrome tips. Instead of the traditional white, opt for black or another dark color. This design offers a sleek and gender-neutral twist on a timeless style.

Black French tip on brown base from @nailsbestnails

Trad French Manicure: A classic French manicure is a timeless choice for short nails, so why not. Keep it minimal by using a neutral base color and a thin white or colored tip. This design adds a touch of elegance and elongates the nails visually.

Frenchie with a gemstone by @butterflynailsmannheim

Negative Space: Embrace negative space designs that allow a portion of the natural nail to show through. A lot of what’s out there in this style is quite bougie but you can also go for minimalist lines, geometric shapes, or cut-outs using tape or nail art brushes.

Ultra minimalist nail art from @mani_lab

Single Accent: Choose one nail to be the focal point by adding a minimalist accent design. It could be a small dot, line, or simple shape in a contrasting color or metallic finish.


So, what exactly does the girly tomboy aesthetic entail? It’s about embracing the juxtaposition of traditionally masculine elements with feminine touches. It’s about exuding confidence, strength, and a sense of self-assuredness while still embracing one’s femininity. It’s about challenging preconceived notions and redefining what it means to merge different styles into a cohesive and compelling whole.

Remember, nail design is a form of self-expression, and there are no rules or limits to what you can try. Embrace your personal style and experiment with different colors, patterns, and finishes to find nail designs that resonate with your tomboy era.