Like killer shoes or the right bag, a haute mani gives validation to the rest of an ensemble.

Pick the right one – like Chanel’s Jade, which the company created to enhance the threads in its fall tweed, pictured below – and suddenly any outfit has the potential to become that coveted thing known as “A Look.” No wonder designers and their hired nail gurus labor over which season’s shades are right for the runway.

Check out the shades that made the cut this fall, below –

Orly Enchanted Forest:

Deep green nail polish, both chic and edgy, is poised to be the new dark du jour. When wearing a hunter green like Orly Enchanted Forest, take nail artist Deborah Lippmann’s advice: Keep your makeup and clothes in the same color family – dark green works best with earth tones, not New Wave brights. Conservative advice, but it works. $7.50

Deborah Lippmann Marquee Moon:

Fashion’s ongoing obsession with futurism and the Eighties allows plenty of time to rock the new It Polish, Marquee Moon. With a cool texture – it’s infused with what looks like mini paillettes – this shade was the perfect polish for Rodarte’s show. “The futuristic sequined silver helped create an edgy, deconstructed look,” says Lippmann. $16

Lancôme Le Vernis in Indigo Paris:

With Yves Klein Blue taking the stage as one of Fall 2009’s must-have colors – Louis Vuitton and Chris Benz showed how the cold, deep blue was done – it feels perfectly on-trend that the quintessential French brand, Lancôme, would offer a nail lacquer in a nearly identical shade, with a splash of jewel-like shimmer. $18

Deborah Lippmann Don’t Tell Mama:

“Expect metallic polish in psychedelic colors to pop up this fall,” says Lippmann, sagely. Psychadelic, indeed – the nail artist likens this bluish-emerald nail lacquer to a liquid “mood ring.” Besides being totally hypnotic, it scores points for quietly nailing the deep blue and green trends, too. $16

Rescue Beauty Lounge Matte Topcoat:

As an antidote to the screaming neon styles on the runways (she’s admittedly “baffled”), nail guru Ji Baek ushers in the Age of Understatement with Matte Topcoat. Layer it over any polish to give it a new, rich porcelain finish. “It’s not ‘look-at-me’ noticeable,” says Baek. $18

Essie Mink Muffs:

Brown nail lacquer hasn’t been big in what seems like ages, but this season’s mixed selection is as varied and, frankly, delicious-looking as a box of Lindt truffles. “Chocolate-y brown is the perfect go-to warm winter shade,” says Lippmann. “It really complements the plaid and tweed looks we saw at Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera and Richard Chai.” $8

Dolce & Gabbana Intense Nail Lacquer in Soft 205:

“Psychadelic metallics are the perfect complement to the metallic-colored dresses on the Balenciaga, Hermes, and Chloe runways,”says Lippmann. This ruby-and-gold number from Dolce & Gabbana feels more opulent than futuristic. $20

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