Though polished nails have always been a fashionable favorite amongst men, its recent resurgence has captivated social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram thanks to the manicures of high-profile celebrities like A$AP Rocky, Harry Styles, and Bad Bunny. Whether it be graphic motifs or all-black lacquer, the blurring of gender in fashion and wider society has allowed a bevy of men to rock daring nail styles. 

For many men, donning nail polish serves as a wider commentary of the state of masculinity in fashion. Thanks to rockers like David Bowie and Kurt Cobain — as well as subcultural groups like emo and punk — nail polish has procured wider connotations beyond solely aesthetics. Whether it be monochromatic sets or more daring lengths, nail polish has transitioned from a coded choice into a full fledged style phenomenon. Below, see 5 must-have nail polish trends for men.

Monochrome

A perennial go-to favorite, monochrome polish is well fit for those wanting to hop on the nail train without fully committing to bolder styles. Whether one sports all black or more lighter shades, the trend is perfectly suited to accompany a bevy of fashionable pieces.

Nail Art

Spanning from cutesy motifs like hearts and smiley faces to more cutting-edge images, nail art is proving itself to be an emerging style to watch for.

Mix and Match

Whether it be contrasting colors, motifs, or an odd number of painted nails, the trend is the perfect vessel for making a statement. The trend has become a sort of go-to manicure for Harry Styles. The dynamic singer has never shied away from sporting a manicure with clashing colors or decals.

Acrylics

Though acrylic styles are not for the faint of heart, the zany trend is the ultimate rebuttal to stringent gender norms imposed upon men. Both Machine Gun Kelly and Bad Bunny sported elongated nails to the Latin Billboard Awards and the iHeartRadio Music Awards, respectively.

Glitter & Holographic

With everything Y2K coming back into the mainstream in recent months, glitter and holographic nails — a go-to during the early 200os — has seen a sudden resurgence. Celebrities like Troye Sivan, Billy Porter, and Lil Nas X are amongst a growing list of men opting for the shimmering trend.