Chanel Le Vernis in Khaki Vert (left), Essie Nail Polish in Sew Psyched (right).
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Who other than Chanel could inspire waiting for nail polish? The new shade du jour is a greige-meets-khaki that makes going casual the chicest thing you can do.
Chanel Le Vernis in Khaki Vert, $25; chanel.com
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Cargo fatigues have nothing on this smoked-up gunmetal green. Stroke on supershort, square nails for a finish that camouflages your intentions but never your sense of style.
Essie Nail Polish in Sew Psyched, $8; essie.com
Butter London 3 Free Lacquer in Bumster (left), Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Yellow Kitty (right).
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This cheeky muted yellow is a tribute to Alexander McQueen's 1996 low-rise trousers that caused quite the stir with their crack-baring bums. Always the jester, that McQueen!
Butter London 3 Free Lacquer in Bumster, $14; butterlondon.com
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The sunny side of this frothy yellow cream is that it's an all-in-one mani -- the polish serves as a growth treatment, base, color, and top finish. Kind of like your La Perla.
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Yellow Kitty, $7; drugstores nationwide
Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Waking Up in Vegas (left), Sonia Kashuk Nail Colour in Tauped (right).
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Lady Gaga herself flaunted the unexpectedly feminine hue on the September cover of Vanity Fair, hurtling the creamy putty to iconic status. And you thought gray was for good girls!
Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Waking Up in Vegas, $16; lippmanncollection.com
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A touch of taupe makes this pale gray flattering on all skin tones. Plus, at less than $5, you can save your pennies for that next big Louis splurge?
Sonia Kashuk Nail Colour in Tauped, $4.99; target.com
M.A.C. Cosmetics Nail Lacquer in Earthly Harmony (left), OPI Nail Lacquer in Over the Taupe (right).
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This creamy neutral wears well both at work and at play, so you can focus on being fabulous instead of repainting and waiting for your nails to dry come the weekend.
M.A.C. Cosmetics Nail Lacquer in Earthly Harmony, $13; maccosmetics.com
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The summer may be over, but that doesn't mean you have to give up all things tan. Brush on this cashmere-rich version of the tone for nails that look sexy, even when covering up in the fall.
OPI Nail Lacquer in Over the Taupe, $8; opi.com
YSL Manicure Couture in Belle de Nuit (left), Sula Paint & Peel in Crush (right).
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If you crave color when the cooler weather hits, YSL's newest purple will coat you in royalty. At a price like that, would you expect anything less?
YSL Manicure Couture in Belle de Nuit (includes gold tip polish), $30; yslebeautyus.com
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After you paint Sula's grapey Merlot on your tips, you'll have to resist wanting to take it off. That's because the polish peels away in one tidy -- and addictive -- swoop. Don't say we didn't warn you!
Sula Paint & Peel in Crush, $9; sulabeauty.com
RGB Cosmetics Nail Lacquer in Steel (left), American Apparel Nail Polish in Factory Grey (right).
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Just like a city girl who traverses sidewalks in style, this industrial shade rides the latest fashion trend while still having the practical wearability of a pair of flats.
RGB Cosmetics Nail Lacquer in Steel, $14; rgbcosmetics.com
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Depending on whether you pair it with dark denim or a comfy cardigan, this rumbling thundercloud hue can either run tough or soft -- just like you.
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