Plaid Nail Designs: Nail Art Inspiration for Trendsetting Looks
As nail aesthetics keep evolving, plaid prints have undergone a spectacular glow-up. They've emerged as the epitome of chic for trendsetting individuals.
Celebrities like Lizzo, Billie Eilish, and Dua Lipa flaunt square-tipped Burberry nails and mismatched plaid designs, turning this classic pattern into the latest obsession among the style-savvy crowd.
Plaid nail designs come in every color imaginable. The one characteristic that unites them is the checkered decoration with crisscrossing lines.
Once upon a time, plaid patterns indicated the Scottish clan or family identity. Now, they’ve expanded their reach to become a symbol of personal expression. Join us as we explore plaid nail designs for nail art inspiration. It’s your turn to be a trendsetter!
Plaid Nail Designs
Billie Eilish’s Burberry Nails
Billie Eilish's Burberry nails effortlessly blend cool with timeless charm. You’ve likely seen Burberry patterns on every accessory imaginable. The distinctive tartan was initially used in overcoat linings a century ago. Today, this beige design is one of the most recognizable plaids ever.
Shepherd’s Check Nails
Here’s the famous Shepherd’s Check plaid. The name comes from blankets Scottish shepherds used to cover their sheep in freezing weather. What would those sheep herders think of this elegant contemporary take?
With regards to color, the original blankets were made with undyed white and black wool. Nowadays, you can use any shades you wish. We feel like the nude and blue design here is a pleasing nod to the traditional palette.
LAVIS Gel Polish Matte Top
Christmas Plaid
Here's one of the most straightforward plaid nail designs to replicate. It only requires patience and a steady hand or nail striping tape. The trickiest part is ensuring each layer is dry to prevent smudges before adding the next. Scroll down to see instructions for how to do plaid nails.
DND Gel Nail Polish Duo - 766 Green Colors - Mistletoe Mania
Buffalo Check Nails
Embrace a bold legacy with nail art that mixes history, style, and spirit. Originating in Scotland, the Buffalo Check design is what we recognize as the quintessential flannel shirt pattern. It’s linked to folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor, although there's no proof he wore this exact tartan.
The legend unfolds as Jock McCluskey, Rob Roy’s descendant, brought the pattern to the U.S. in the 1800s. He traded with Native Americans who cherished the Scottish wool blankets and believed the red color had mystical origins. The story says that the term "plaid" stemmed from their difficulty pronouncing the Gaelic word for blanket – "pladger".
OPI L72 OPI Red - Nail Lacquer
Monochrome Blue Gingham Nails
Gingham has become a staple in everyone’s wardrobe at some point. You’ve seen it on the racks of J. Crew, for example. This pattern is sometimes confused with checkered plaid. But gingham stands out as some of its squares are transparent due to the weaving process. This particular nail design takes advantage of the look with a soothing blue palette.
Summer Pride Rainbow Plaid Nails
Here’s a lively manicure that celebrates the joy of being yourself! It features a Madras pattern based on colorful plaids woven in Chennai, India, in the 1800s. It’s perfect for summertime fun and bound to spread cheer everywhere you go.
Line Art Gel
Sweater Nails with Plaid
Get cozy when it gets chilly with plaid and sweater nails. This warm and comfy combination is a fall classic that looks gorgeous in whatever shades are trendiest.
Stamped Plaid Nails
It boggled our brains to discover that these Stewart tartan-style nails were done with lacquer, not gel polish. The artist used a stamping technique in layers. After two coats of red, they stamped the green stripes, then the beige pattern. The trick is allowing plenty of time for each level to dry. Also, they recommended masking off the skin around the nails with liquid latex since stamping can be messy. Finish with a topcoat after removing the latex.
Plaid Tips
Make a French manicure more Scottish with a bit of tartan on the tips. This design resembles Burberry but with silver accents instead of red.
Houndstooth Nail Art
Black and white is stark but not basic in this houndstooth design. The pattern dates to 300 BC and is recognized in Sweden and Scotland. Talk about wearing history on your fingertips!
Just a Hint of Plaid
If you just want to get your feet wet to see how you feel about plaid nails, here’s the perfect starter. Only one nail has a low-key striped design.
LDS 179 Galaxy - LDS Healthy Gel Polish & Matching Nail Lacquer Duo Set
HOW TO DO PLAID NAIL DESIGNS
Plaid nail designs are straightforward whether you freehand them or use tape or a stencil for flawless results. We highly recommend a thin nail art brush and a dose of patience. Each layer must thoroughly dry before adding the next.
As for supplies, you'll need a skinny brush, three polish colors, and base and top coats for this design.
First, prep your nails and apply a base coat to prevent staining and improve the manicure’s longevity.
Follow that with one to two coats of the base color, ensuring it’s opaque.
Next, use a bright-colored polish and paint a slightly off-center wide vertical stripe. Leave the base color showing on either side.
Third, take the darkest polish and paint two narrow vertical stripes on either side of the bright line down the middle. Add another thin line to one side, leaving space between. Repeat this step horizontally to finish the plaid pattern.
Finish with a top coat, matte or glossy. Remember to brush the free edge of the nail to prevent chips.
If it all seems like too much work right now, cheer up. We typically carry plaid press-on nails!
Optional step: tag us on social media so we can admire your plaid nail art!
Conclusion
Plaid doesn’t mean staid, not when trendsetters are wearing plaid nail designs! Now’s the time to upgrade your look with the latest trend in nail art. Choose your colors and pattern, then make the magic happen!
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