16 Orange Cat-Eye Manis That Celebrate Taylor Swift's Showgirl Era

Happy Taylor Swiftmas to all who celebrate. The Life of a Showgirl release day is finally here, and fans everywhere are marking the occasion with listening parties, themed cocktails, and Reddit deep-dives about whether “Actually Romantic” is secretly a Charli XCX diss track. And because no one commits to a theme quite like Taylor, her showgirl era’s signature shade — a fiery, shimmering orange — has already become the unofficial color story of the moment.

Enter: the orange cat-eye manicure. With its magnetic glow and shifting dimension, it’s got the same sort of main character energy as Swift herself. Some fans theorize that the hue nods to copper’s natural transformation — bright orange fading to dull green like the Statue of Liberty — as a built-in metaphor for the way stardom evolves. Whether or not that’s the intention, it makes for one hell of a manicure. Plus, what could be more perfect for the reigning queen of cat ladies than a cat-inspired set?

Instead of limiting your Showgirl celebration to a single album drop day, consider this your excuse to toast it all month long (or, hey, even longer) with a set of orange cat-eye nails — many of which, as an added bonus, are very much on theme with Halloween. Ahead, a roundup of 17 mani designs that will carry you through your next two-dozen replays — proof that sometimes the perfect way to honor an era is with nails as extra as the music.

1. XL Orange Cat-Eye

Channel Swift’s maximalist showgirl energy with shimmering bright orange polish painted on top of an XL stiletto-shaped tip.

2. Mix & Match Tips

There are multiple different ways you can play with orange cat-eye nails, and this design brings two of them together in a single set.

3. Spooky Season Cat-Eye

Elevate your classic black-and-orange Halloween nails by adding a mirrored cat-eye effect to the color combo.

4. Classic Orange Cat-Eye

These sunset-hued cat-eye nails are the perfect nod to your new favorite Swift era — dramatic, dreamy, and showstopping.

5. Showgirl-Inspired Cat-Eye

For a true Showgirl-inspired set, try a mint-tinted orange cat-eye look — which perfectly brings the “copper as a metaphor for a fading showgirl” sentiment to life.

6. Burnt Orange Cheetah Print

Animal prints are having a major nail moment this fall, and this cheetah-on-orange combo feels like Shake It Off meets Life of a Showgirl — playful, bold, and just a little wild.

7. Gold Graphic Cat-Eye

Lighten up an orange cat-eye look with two nude accent nails, decorated in both orange and gold. Minimalist designs — like these simple lines — are all you need to make the mani pop.

8. Pumpkin Spice Cat-Eye

This look is a triple-whammy of fall nail trends: burnt orange polish, square tips, and a dimensional cat-eye finish.

9. Molten Orange Cat-Eye

Swift and Travis Kelce have proven that opposites attract (see: your favorite English teacher and gym teacher getting engaged), and the same rings true in the case of orange cat-eye nails. The shade works just as well with cool-toned accents — like this silver molten set — as it does with warmer hues.

10. Rockstar Cat-Eye

Believe it or not, black, orange, gold, and even leopard all count as neutrals — and this mani proves how seamlessly they play together. Add a few star-shaped decals on top to give the mix a main character twist worthy of Swift herself.

11. Orange Cat-Eye French Tips

Speaking of orange as a neutral, this mani swaps the bright shade for white on a classic French tip. The mirrored finish over the nude base adds extra depth and dimension, giving the set a fresh (and slightly Swiftian) twist.

12. Baby Blue & Orange Cat-Eye

The rich warmth of a rust-colored cat-eye creates a gorgeous backdrop for cool baby blue accents. Even a subtle design — like this micro-French tip — makes a major statement.

13. Amber Cat-Eye

Layering brown and orange polish delivers an earthy, amber look that feels especially fall-coded.

14. Black Cats & Orange Cat-Eye

Lean into Halloween nail art with a glowing orange cat-eye base topped with black cats, bats, or spiderwebs. The magnetic shimmer gives the design a spooky-chic vibe that our reigning queen of the cat ladies would certainly appreciate.

15. Autumnal Skittle Nails

With their rich iridescence, cat-eye nails make the perfect centerpiece in a mismatched “Skittle” set. The shimmer and metallic flecks catch light from the surrounding shades.

16. Jack-O-Lantern Nails

Simple black designs layered over glowing orange cat-eye nails instantly offer a moody jack-o’-lantern effect.