Sure, you can spend your days fretting about your ample calves or the fact that you’re vertically challenged and wishing you had long, lean legs. Or you can simply step into a nude-colored shoe to instantly improve your appearance.
“A nude shoe helps elongate your leg because it doesn’t break up the line of body,” says style expert Jacqui Stafford, author of “The Wow Factor: Insider Style Secrets for Every Body and Every Budget.” “Consequently, you look taller and skinnier.”
The key is to match your shoe to your skintone.
“One of the best things about a nude shoe is that it’s a complete neutral, so it works with absolutely everything in your closet, and you never have to think about it,” Stafford says. “When you’re busy, trying to decide which shoe to wear is the last thing you want to think about.”
Great news—but honestly, she had us at “taller and skinnier.”
1If your skin is fair…
A pointy-toe, four-inch stiletto in a pale shade will make porcelain-skinned women look not only polished, but also long and lean.
2If your skin is fair…
Not keen on wearing sky-high pumps every day? No problem. “Heels are nice, but a cute nude ballet flat is timeless and classic,” Stafford says.
3If your skin is fair…
Peep-toe wedges are trendy for spring, and when you opt for a style that matches your fair skintone? You’ll look hip and thin. Who wouldn’t want that?
4If your skin is medium…
There’s so much to love about a classic patent pump. It works at the office. It works at a party. It goes with everything. Snag one in a shade to match your skin, and you’ll never have to worry about which shoe to wear again.
5If your skin is medium…
If your go-to weekend footwear is an old pair of sneakers or perhaps a pair of flip-flops you’ve been sporting since freshman year of college, it’s time to upgrade to a simple, yet beautiful, pair of nude flats. Your Saturday errand-running just got so much more chic!
6If your skin is medium…
So, you’re ready to rock the sky-high wedge sandal trend? Look for a style that matches your skintone and you’ll be—literally—walking taller in no time.
7If your skin is deep…
“I think a nude patent shoe looks classy and is good for the office,” Stafford says. Pick one with a mid-size heel to look appropriate whether you’re delivering a big presentation or just catching up on expense reports.
8If your skin is deep…
A great way to incorporate a trend without worrying the style will be totally out next season? Start with a nude flat. Here, a few well-placed gold studs give your feet a little “wow” factor, but in a subtle enough way to make them wearable for seasons to come.
9If your skin is deep…
We’re smitten with the retro 70s vibe of these platform sandals that will make a woman with a darker skintone look uber svelte and sexy.
10If your skin is mocha…
When you’re ready to invest in a classic you’ll wear for, well, forever, here you go. Mocha-skinned women will find themselves wearing this style with suits, dresses, skirts, shorts, jeans, trousers… You may actually never take them off.
11If your skin is mocha…
No pedi? No problem! Slip on this pointy-toe flat when your feet need a comfy treat.
12If your skin is mocha…<
You’ll be extra tall and trendy when you pair a platform wedge sandal with your flirty spring frocks. And matching the color to your skin tone helps streamline your look without giving up any style points.
