Sorry almond, square nails are the hottest nail shape of 2026

As they say, trends always come back around. And with the rise of Y2K and ‘90s fashion, we’re happy to see the return of square nails for spring 2026, a super chic shape that the style set can't get enough of. Low-rise jeans, though, can stay in the past, thanks very much.

Yup, everyone from Addison Rae to Rihanna to Iris Law has adopted the surprisingly wearable square style. If you'd like to join them, read on below.

15 designs for square nails

Thanks to their clean lines, square nails offer the perfect base for creative nail art. Whether elegant, playful, or eye-catching, here are 15 design ideas that perfectly showcase this new nail trend:

Ideal for the upcoming spring season and everyday wear, the soft pink tones in this nail look create a romantic and natural look.

Can you get any more chic than this? The deep red nail hue just exudes elegance and a touch of drama. They look equally great for everyday wear, glamorous post-work drinks and date nights.

The timeless French manicure remains a classic for a reason. Now, it's being given a modern interpretation with clean, angular square nails. White tips create a particularly classy and elegant look and can be worn for virtually any occasion.

As we come into spring, we're turning towards subtle hints of the upcoming season through floral touches here and there — that includes on our nails. Cheery and pretty.

You can still opt for eye-catching designs with a square nail shape. This glittery base with dots gives a classic French manicure a striking, modern touch. Ideal for combining minimalist elegance with a hint of glamour.

This milky mani is a minimalist's dream. The square shape adds a modern vibe while the simple base elevates a nude base. We love it.

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This marble design in beige and chocolate tones looks both sophisticated and luxurious. This style is super customisable, allowing you to get creative with every nail.

Minimalist, simple, and elegant — this look relies on natural colours like beige or nude. The perfect choice for a polished, timeless appearance

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Pretty perfect.

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Playful dots in contrasting colours make every nail a real eye-catcher with this polkadot square nail style. This olive green shade is so stunning.

Creamy yellow tones combined with a classic French manicure creates a fresh, cheerful vibe — perfect for early spring days. A subtle twist on the traditional French look, it can also be recreated with other colours.

Tortoiseshell nails in brown and beige tones gives these long nails a super chic, luxurious touch. The square shape just adds extra style points.

Graphic stripes and a square shape brings modern structure to this nail design. This cherry red shade is so stylish, but would look equally gorgeous in fresh spring green, sky blue or espresso brown.

Deep brown tones are always warm, elegant, and luxurious. Here, they go particularly well with a chic square nail shape. A subtle, modern classic that will look good all year round.

Soft blue tones create a fresh, airy nail design. The colour is light and fresh – Ideal for a soft, playful look as we move into spring.

Who says beige has to be boring? This natural ombré style combines soft colour gradients with a square shape and longer length for a timeless nail look. Gorgeous!

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A version of this article originally appeared on GLAMOUR Germany.