Sure, we all know what basics professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
‘Tis the season for stores to start selling beige and blush-toned shoes. First, Piperlime had a round-up of “blush” shoes. Then, I noticed Saks has a collection of “nude” shoes, then Bloomingdale’s emailed to advise me to “rock the new neutral pumps”, then I got a similar e-mail from Dillards. Neutral shoe overload! I thought I’d collect some of my office-appropriate favorites from this season. (This is turning into a yearly feature on Corporette — see our 2008 roundup of neutral shoes, as well as our 2009 beige shoe roundup — and don’t forget to check out our 2010 discussion on nude shoes for all skintones. Readers, have you bought any neutral shoes lately? Please report in — which brand, how much, comfort level, etc…
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 Johnston & Murphy had one of our favorite neutral pumps from last year’s round-up, and here they are again — I’m not normally a fan of cork soles, but it works here. The heels have a 1″ platform and a 3 7/8″ heel, and they’re $178. (Note: Johnston & Murphy currently has a deal going where if you buy one, you get one pair 50% off.) Emily High-Heel Pump |
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 Love the lower heel, the suede and mesh combo, and (mais oui!) the Louboutin signature, the red leather sole. The glowing reviews on the Saks site don’t hurt either. They’re $695 at Saks Fifth Avenue. Christian Louboutin Mireille Suede & Mesh Pumps |
Like this feature? Check out our other round-ups of closet staples for the working woman! Also, don’t forget to check out our Guide to Comfortable Heels.
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
Marshalls & TJ Maxx have had a ton of nude/beige shoe options, and surprisingly, many of them were quality brands & office appropriate styles. I picked up an incredible pair of nude patent leather platform pumps by Franco Sarto at Marshalls yesterday for $40 and am loving them. So comfortable.
I’d suggest the Ivanka Trump Indico to any corporettes with Ivanka’s skin tone – they were a great price and comfortable, though sadly not nude-for-me.
I’ve been eyeing the Kate Spade Karolina. It’s a touch darker than the Ivanka shoe, but it’s still bit too pink-based to be nude-for-me. I’d love to hear from Corporettes who have found nude-for-you shoes with a bit more yellow tone to their skin – it seems like a lot of shoes are more pink based.
I have the Kate Spade Kendra in the light camel, which I think is the same color as the Karolina. I have an olive complexion, and I find this color works well with my skin tone. No, it’s not an exact match, but that is okay with me. I get a lot of compliments.
I wore the nine west shoes excessively this summer, and they held up very well. I also realized how much I love wearing nude shoes and was worried the look would be a one season trend. (or maybe I’m just years late to the trend?) Can I get an “investment” pair of nude shoes and plan on wearing them for years to come?
absolutely.
I had nude shoes from Aldo about 6 years ago that I wore all the time bc I felt it made my legs look longer. Def not from my doing, but the style is now in big time. It’s always a good look in summer.
I can’t handle patent in this pale of a color – all I think is old lady church clothes.
ME TOO! It screams old ladies and little girls at easter time at church to me.
Funny! To me, the patent is what makes these shoes — nude colors in plain leather are what look old-lady to my eye!
My DSW has had a great display of nude heels. I got a pair of Ellen Tracy nude heels with a peep toe that I’ve already worn to a client’s office. I believe it was $59 or $69 – in any case, a good price.
Anyone have suggestions for nude shoes that AREN’T patent?!
These are close to nude-for-me. I got them on sale last year; I think this is the same color although in person it’s lighter. I am generally not a Nine West fan, but liked the tone of the leather and wood heel. Quality wise, they’ve held up so far, but as with everything you get what you pay for, and although they are wearable and walkable, they’re not nearly as comfortable as my Cole Haans.
Oops, forgot the link:
http://www.ninewest.com/Jennifer/5874868,default,pd.html?cgid=7006&itemNum=1&variantSizeClass=&variantColor=PORCILE
Also I meant that they are actually darker in person.
Now to get some coffee…
I’m curious about this as well. Does getting your nude shoe in patent somewhat lessen the effect?
I got a great pair of nude Via Spiga Mary Jane style pumps at Macy’s in NYC. I haven’t worn them yet, but I was thrilled to find a nude that wasn’t patent leather. Sometimes the non-patent nudes aren’t as “nude” as their patent counterparts, but you still get the look. Good luck!
How do you know which shade of nude is appropriate? Is it supposed to be a close or exact match to your skin color? I loved these shoes and got them on sale in the natural leather color: http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?searchCID=4016&cid=4016&vid=1&pid=765113&scid=765113082 but my legs are very (pasty) white, so I worry I look odd wearing this color of “nude.” Do I?
I think for purposes of matching everything and lengthening your legs, “nude” can be defined VERY broadly. Exact nude-for-me is a color I wouldn’t like that much in a shoe, but I find that everything from pure white to a caramel tone (and also taupe/gray) has basically the same effect. I say just go with a “nude” that you like, looks flattering, and complements your clothes.
Thanks for this – I bought a more caramel brown neutral heel last summer which I love but are only “nude for me” when I have my late summer color. Coming out of winter there is a huge contrast between pale skin and a darker shoe but I am not sure I would like most of the colors pictured on me – at my palest or tannest.
I just bought these a couple weeks ago. About to put them on later today for a meeting (I work from home so I’m still in slippers). I’ve only worn them around the house but they seem very comfortable.
http://www.zappos.com/lifestride-vera-edgewood-beige
Agree with these lifestrides! I am of Indian descent and these are a good color for me – not too pale and not too dark. And since they are from lifestride, a comfortable higher heel for my 5’1” frame.
I like these from Nine West and they’re only $29.99 with free shipping. http://www.ninewest.com/Audrey/5652904,default,pd.html?cgid=526934&itemNum=16&variantSizeClass=&variantColor=BLACKSU
The ones I found last year after much trial and error, Franco Sarto Napoli, don’t seem to be available anymore.
Ralph Lauren has some shoes in interesting tones of brown for those with darker skin. See Zappo’s.
Sigh . . . this invokes my constant shoe problem and that is the height of the heels. I am already over six feet tall and can’t wear any of these :( Kat, can you do a post on low-heeled (not ballet flats and not frumpy) shoes for work and include nude-for-readers? I’ve been searching for a nude-for-me kitten heel under 2″ for what seems like years.
I’m with you there–lower heels… check out Endless.com and brand Butter. Seemed like some good options.
Stuart Wietzman makes nude kitten heels (avail. on endless, I think).
Also check out Charles David “Lush” pump.
I am not tall but love kitten heels. They may work for you. I have also had these in my cart for a while (but they are sling backs) . . .
http://www.zappos.com/ak-anne-klein-pipa-blush-nude-patent
If you prefer to avoid patent, and would not mind snakeskin . . . http://www.zappos.com/lauren-ralph-lauren-errin-sahara-snakeskin
Thanks AIMS! Those are both beautiful and fit the requirement . . . personally I can’t wear slingbacks (they either cut in painfully or slip off) but I love the Anne Klein ones!
Speaking of nude and snakeskin, Stuart Wietzman has a beautiful snakeskin pump worth looking at (I think a casual wedge, too). The snakeskin is subdued enough to wear the shoe as a nude, but the multi colors and texture give it some added interest. OF COURSE, it’s not on sale . . . .
MsZ: I’m also 6 ft tall, but I love wearing heels. If you haven’t tried it just because you’re afraid you’ll look like an Amazon, give it a try once a week or so. I actually feel more confident when I stand up to shake a man’s hand and he’s so much shorter than me (this could be because I’m a litigator…).
I don’t want to presume and you may have a totally valid reason for avoiding heels, but if you’re just afraid of being “too tall,” give it a whirl!
LOL from another litigator!
To add to my post, Cole Haan has a lot of shoes that they make in two heel heights. I have three pairs of the “Carma” pumps and love them and a different pair of pumps with the lower heel and like those as well. So far, they’ve lasted me about 3 years with almost weekly use, so I think they’re worth the investment.
JJ — you have the chutzpah I wish I had! I am a litigator and don’t try heels for exactly that reason – afraid I’ll look like an Amazon, plus I have never learned to walk in them. I have one pair of pumps that have a 2.5 inch heel that I wear to court with one suit hemmed for them — when I’m up against a particularly experienced / particularly rude older male opposing counsel (unfortunately, that category is all too large!). I almost bought a fierce pair of four inchers for my upcoming girls’ weekend in Vegas (my husband is much shorter than I so I usually don’t wear heels socially, either) but figured I would just fall and hurt myself!
@MsZ: look at Talbots — I know that they are doing a kitten heel as well as a high heel this year — there may be some choices there for you. I would be your personal shopper and post links, but then I would be sucked into online-shopping-at-work land and that would be bad, bad, bad….
And YES to a low-heeled shoe post, Kat!
How about these, they come in a nude colour with a 1″ heel: http://www.stevemadden.com/Item.aspx?id=52346&green=16108367943
Not terribly exciting, and they’re a final sale, but they look like a decent classic shoe.
Ack – these would be perfect, but being 6′ tall means I have off-the-chart gigantic feet (11). Thanks though!
MsZ, I’m right there with ya! Tall with big feet!
Even worse, a lot of 11s pinch a bit and 12s fall off my feet. I really need an 11.5, but try finding that size in anything but an orthopedic shoe.
I second (third?) the request for a post on low-heeled shoes.
I would kill for a pair of nude patent kitten heels!
Talbots has size 11′s, and maybe bigger online.
As for 6-footers with heels — count me in! Yay tall ladies!
How about these?
http://www.stuartweitzman.com/products/daisy/990026234407/?utm_source=bingshoppping&utm_medium=organic&gdftrk=gdfV22609_a_7c944_a_7c3982_a_7c990026234407
Thanks girl — (thanks to all of you, actually – love Corporettes!) but these are still too high for me.
But, they led me to these: http://www.stuartweitzman.com/products/daisy/990026234407/?utm_source=bingshoppping&utm_medium=organic&gdftrk=gdfV22609_a_7c944_a_7c3982_a_7c990026234407 They look perfect!
I meant to link to Poco. But, they’re only available in narrow and super slim . . . ouch!
See if Zappos has the “Poco” in your size: http://www.zappos.com/stuart-weitzman-poco-black-patent
@D — thanks, but those are too small!
I just want to say I seriously love (and covet) the Louboutins!
me too… only one size left and, sadly, not mine :-(
My friend’s roommate had a pair of nude Louboutins that were the perfect nude-for-me color. I have been obsessed ever since. I really need to find a job so I can buy them (and pay rent).
oooh, love the Aldo ones. But I have to say it, I’m an easyspirit convert now. I ordered three pairs last week (although not the ones posted) and they are the most comfortable, slightly stylish yet still professional/discrete shoes. I absolutely love them. Easyspirit will be my first stop for shoes from now on.
I purchased the Enzo Angiolini Siobhan patent heels in “pale pink patent” for $35.99 during the piperlime anniversary sale in the fall, and they actually aren’t too bad for my Asian (not pale) skin tone. They’re not pink at all. They’re “only” about 3″ tall (max–feels shorter) so they’re pretty comfortable, although I still put in my Dr. Scholl’s inserts for better arch support. Here is how they look with my bare legs (from my blog): http://the-new-professional.blogspot.com/2010/11/gray-and-pearly.html
They’re not available on Piper Lime anymore but they are on 6 pm
http://www.6pm.com/enzo-angiolini-siobhan
Personally, I like the shine factor of the patent for nude shoes (generally I don’t really like patent leather at all).
LOVE the Stuart Weitzman Daisy pumps. Have been oogling them for ages but just too expensive to buy. They match my Irish pinky white skin perfectly…
http://www.stuartweitzman.com/products/daisy/990026234407/?utm_source=bingshoppping&utm_medium=organic&gdftrk=gdfV22609_a_7c944_a_7c3982_a_7c990026234407
So you’ve tried them on and they work in real life too? I’m also in the market for some pink-ivory “nude” shoes to match my Irish skin. I am intrigued by the Aldos above, but everytime I try ordering online, they show up less pink in person than they are on the screen. (Thank you, Endless, for the free shipping and returns!)
Sorry, this was supposed to be for Nordstrom Shopper.
Absolutely perfect for Pinky Light White Irish skin!! Wish I could have them to match my Irish Skin:) I *almost* bought them during the Nordstrom anniversary sale but even then, they were too expensive for me. That’s the only time I’ve seen them on sale.
6pm.com has them for $137, in case that’s in your range (lots of sizes). I did a google shopping search to turn up a wide range of price points on the shoes.
I have a great pair of AK Anne Klein neutral leather (not patent!) pumps with a peep toe, gold bit detail, and wood skinny heel. They are my go to during the summer for work (I can do peep toe most days).
Couldn’t find a picture of them, but I did find these and I love them, too! A little casual but could work in the summer in some offices. http://www.6pm.com/ak-anne-klein-emalise-natural-lizard-leather
Bandolino pumps have low heels and are very comfortable and come in tons of colors including beige.
http://www.zappos.com/bandolino-berry-navy-leather?zlfid=111
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/kors-michael-kors-glitter-pump/3156877?origin=category&resultback=130
These shoes are beautiful:) – will likely work best with a tanned leg or person of color (as I am).
I love you newsletter! The neutral pump article is great timing because I have had clients ask me what to wear them with. I sent them to your article. Thank you!
I love my beige pumps! I’ve got Dansko clogs, Aldo red pumps, black heels, and red heels, but my beige pumps go perfectly with either casual or formal clothing.