There are very few beauty topics that divide opinion quite like pedicures.
For some people, it’s bright coral or nothing. Others have been wearing the same shade of OPI Bubble Bath since 2007 and see no reason to change now. Then there are the white-pedicure loyalists, who emerge every June as predictably as Wimbledon strawberries.
Personally, I’m fascinated by what happens to beauty trends when they reach our feet. The lipstick trend of the season? Most people won’t wear it. The trending haircut? Same.
But the minute sandal weather arrives, suddenly we’re all asking the same question: What colour are we putting on our toes?
And for this week’s post, I decided to go straight the experts. I’ve teamed up with DryBy, one of London’s most trusted nail destinations, to find out exactly what clients are requesting right now, what colours are flying off the shelves, and which shades the professionals think will define Summer 2026. Here DryBy Founder Krisztina van der Boom settles the great pedicure debate once and for all.
What is the single most requested pedicure shade at DryBy right now?
Classic cherry red remains our most requested pedicure shade. It’s timeless, flattering on almost everyone and works just as well in the city as it does on holiday. While trends come and go, red remains the colour clients return to year after year.
Which colour do you think looks the most expensive?
The most expensive-looking feet are healthy, soft, well-maintained feet. Colour is secondary. That said, a perfectly executed cherry red or a soft, elegant French pedicure always looks luxurious because they’re timeless.
Which shade surprises people when they try it for the first time?
A soft see-through coconut white. Many clients worry it will look plain, but when done well it can make the feet look fresh, clean and beautifully polished, particularly during the summer months.
Image Credit: DryBy
What colour do you think will define Summer 2026?
Chocolate brown. It’s sophisticated, fashion-forward and surprisingly wearable. It feels modern and works beautifully with the rich tan leathers and suede textures we’re seeing across fashion.
Image credit: Manucurist
Are bright pedicures making a comeback or are clients still leaning towards clean-girl neutrals?
We’re seeing both. Clean-girl neutrals, French pedicures and sheer pinks remain incredibly popular, but we’re also seeing a return of confident holiday colours such as bright red, coral and orange shades. Clients seem to be embracing whichever aesthetic feels most like them.
What’s the biggest pedicure mistake people make?
Treating pedicures as a seasonal beauty treatment rather than an ongoing part of personal care. Healthy nails and skin require regular maintenance. We also often see people cutting toenails too short or rounding the corners, which can increase the risk of ingrown toenails. The foundation of a beautiful pedicure is healthy, well-maintained feet and soft, polished skin.
Which colour works on absolutely everyone?
Cherry red. It transcends age, skin tone, season and fashion trends. It’s one of the few shades that consistently works for everyone.
What pedicure shade do nail professionals secretly love but clients rarely ask for?
Milk chocolate brown. Nail professionals appreciate its sophistication and versatility, yet clients often overlook it. It can look incredibly chic.
What sandal trends are influencing pedicure choices this year?
We’re seeing lots of pared-back open-toe leather sandals, refined thong sandals, suede finishes and understated hardware. These styles tend to pair beautifully with classic reds, French pedicures and rich neutrals rather than statement nail looks.
If someone came in tomorrow and said, “I want my feet to look chic, expensive and fashion-forward”, what would you put on them?
We’d focus on the condition of the feet first. The most luxurious pedicure starts with healthy skin, beautifully maintained nails and correct shaping.Fashion-forward is actually less important in pedicures than it is in manicures. A colour can be beautiful in fashion but unflattering on the feet. Pistachio, for example, is a gorgeous fashion colour of the moment, but on the feet it can look unflattering. Once the feet are looking their best, we’d enhance them with timeless shades that suit almost everyone: a soft French pedicure (barely-there white tips, not Tippex), a classic cherry red or a rich chocolate brown, depending on personal style. In pedicures the goal isn’t to chase a trend it’s to choose a colour that enhances healthy, beautifully maintained feet.
Which celebrity or fashion aesthetic is influencing pedicure choices most right now?
Less a specific celebrity and more the wider wellbeing movement. The women we see most regularly are increasingly interested in longevity, wellbeing and looking after themselves holistically. They’re investing in everything from sleep and nutrition to strength training and skincare, and that same philosophy is extending to their feet.
As a result, we’re seeing less focus on trend-led colours and more focus on healthy nails, beautifully maintained skin and regular foot care. The finish itself is becoming more personal. Some clients choose gel, others prefer traditional polish, and some opt for no colour at all, finishing with a strengthening treatment or active serum. The common thread is care.
In many ways, the modern pedicure has become part of a broader wellbeing routine rather than simply a beauty treatment. The luxury today isn’t really the colour, it’s the maintenance.
What colour are you personally wearing this summer?
A barely-there micro French. It’s timeless and clean.
Image Credit: DryBy
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