What's your take on red nail polish on long nails?

Question

Trashy? Professional? Neutral? Classy?

Answer 1

How long are we talkin? I think it's perfectly all right. And think of it this way. If you are dressed "trashy" then your long red nails will look trashy. Classy you = classy red nails. Professional you = professional red nails.

Now if you had a navy suit on with plain pumps, and your 3" nails were encrusted with glitter and diamonds, I'd say "dannnnng, those is some TRASHY nails" and someone would talk about you, that's for sure.

SO...It is OK FOR YOU TO WEAR RED! IT is a classic color.

Answer 2

The wonderful thing about cosmetics ,to include nail polish, is up to the interpretation of the individual to make choices. Thank God we are not back in the early days of Max Factor with only one shade of nail polish.

It was once said in an etiquette book, years ago that "a lady should wear only clear, a sheer pink or a French manicure on her nails", futher "she may wear red on her toes". Todays 'red polish' was yesterdays 'clear or pale pink'. It is completely acceptable.

It is clear that the average respondant on this Q&A Yahoo Forum isn't old enough to remember this, nor am I, but I have read old etiquette books.

I am going to surprise myself with my own answer; other respondents have given great answers. Long, short, dark red, bright red........that is what is great about society today. Everyone does what they want, gone are the social mores and standards of etiquette (unfortunately, in some ways).

Personally? I think if a girl choses to wear red polish her nails shouldn't be much longer than to just barely over the top of her fingers; otherwise it can denote the look of trashy. When done correctly, red looks fantastic and is a classic on any woman with shorter to moderate nails.

My position changes when the fingernails are long enough to carry a picnic lunch under and when girls start wearing 'palm trees', 'family protraits', and other such nail art. However, in some cultures this is perfectly acceptable and further the practice doesn't bother me at all, as it is more of an expression or extension of the wearers personality.

I truly think that this is a subjective questions as the rules of etiquette are long forgotten. I do feel, however, the 'wearer' knows exactly what impression she is giving off whatever her choice of color or length of her nail.

Answer 3

It depends on the length of the nail, the shade of red and what you do for a living. Darker reds are more professional looking, the really candy reds are more fun and "trashy", Anything with sparkles should be fun and club only. It all really depends.

Answer 4

Trashy. Definitely not professional, the complete opposite of neutral, and not classy! Long nails themselves are very much out of fashion now...some 80's trends are back, but we aren't going for the complete Dynasty look!

PS-Thanks, Applesoda, I'm glad someone out there hates fake Louis Vuitton bags as much as I do...who do they think they're fooling??

Answer 5

Red is fine if it's not a bright red. Go for a dark red and don't keep your nails too long. The look now is shorter and more professional.

Answer 6

depends on your age and how your dress. If your younger, and have long nials with red nail polish and you dress trashy , then they are clearly trashy. But if your older and pair them with a nice sundress, and there not too long they could be classy. I unno about proffesional though, nothing about red seems proffesional to me. :)

Answer 7

Depends on how long the nails are and the shade of red. Also, it depends on the attitude while having the nails long and red. It could go either way.

Answer 8

I tend to think that bright colors should be worn on shorter nails. A lot depends on your work environment, if it is with the public or a formal environment, keep em short if you like red or color them pastel or neutral or french for longer nails.

Answer 9

it's not quite trashy. the nicer name for it would be vixen
they're def not classy nor neutral and def NOT professional.
only if is really long then u might say its trashy but otherwise it just looks vixen

Answer 10

Classy with a red or black long dress, but with anything else you should go with some darker tones of red.