2018 Update: You may want to check out this year’s roundup of nude-for-you pumps — as well as our general guide to wardrobe essentials for work!
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.
We covered beige pumps back in February when they were first appearing in the stores — but since so many are now hitting the sales racks (and there’s still two months of good weather for them) I thought we’d revisit. Readers, let us know if you’ve found any great shoe sales (especially in nude-for-you colors) in the comments!
 Nordstrom has these simple “Claye” pumps on sale from Nine West. Both the “pink leather” (pictured) and the “off white” could work for different skin tones. They were $79.95, now marked to $39.90 (limited sizes only). Nine West ‘Claye’ Pump |
 Mesh shoe accents get mixed reactions on this site, but I like these very low kitten heels from Ellen Tracy. I like the preppy bow, as well as the fact that your heel is covered a bit. The pumps were $99 — Lord & Taylor have the pumps for the best price ($47.99), but very limited sizes; also check Endless for more sizes (at $70.95). Ellen Tracy Women’s Kylie Pump |
 For those of us who prefer a lower heel, this 2″ heel from Sam Edelman looks lovely. I like the leopard-printed fabric lining on the inside footbed, as well as the super teeny peep. Dillards has the best price ($49.99), but if you’re having trouble finding your size check Endless ($54.45) and Piperlime ($59.99) also. The shoes are also available in black or red patent leather. |
| Yes, another kitten heel — love the lattice design on the vamp and the gently pointed toe. There are multiple “nude for me” possibilities from this shoe, including the “beige patent” (pictured here), the pink patent, or (only at Lord & Taylor) a brown patent. The shoes were $185, but they’re now on sale: Zappos has them for $105, Nordstrom has them for $99.99, and Bloomingdale’s has them for $104.06. Depending on the store, they may also be available in a black and red. Via Spiga – Dolmen (Beige Patent) |
 Pour la Victoire continues to be a strong contender with pumps, and I like these 4.25″ high “natural patent” pumps. (They also come in black and red patent.) This shoe was $250, now marked to $149.90 at Nordstrom (lots of sizes still available). Pour la Victoire ‘Loelle’ Pump |
 Even Italian high-end shoes go on sale, as with this Giuseppe Zanotti low-vamp pump. There are very limited sizes left at Neiman Marcus in black and beige, but it’s a great sale: was $550, now marked to $368 plus an additional 25% off, bringing it down to $276 today. Nice! Giuseppe Zanotti Patent Low-Vamp Pump |
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments! Also, don’t forget to check out The Corporette Guide to Comfortable Heels!
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I bought Sam Edelman Fiorenza in Blush, currently on sale at Dillards for 69.99, down from 99.00. I am normally a 9 1/2 to 10, and bought them in 9 1/2. I love the color and the practical heel height. I have a narrow foot, so they may run rather narrow. I love them and am considering buying them in Black and Whiskey.
So glad to hear! Just ordered these (for the same price off of PiperLime), and am hoping for the best.
I got the east5th Adella dress pump from JCPenney last year in taupe and it is the perfect nude-for-me heel. I’m a typical medium brown skinned South Asian so I guess I’m a coffee-with-milk color? Cappuccino? The shoes look much better in person, they don’t look pleathery at all.
I will have to check these out. I am South Asian as well, and I always have a problem describing my skin tone to folks. I am more cinnimon than latte though.
I’m wearing etienne aigner “Day” pumps in “torrone” today. I love these shoes and have worn them a couple times a week since getting them. They are incredibly comfortable, but with a decent heel. They’re down to $50 at Macy’s (avoiding links to stay out of moderation).
I should probably get a second pair in case anything ever happens to the pair on my feet. . .
I have two pairs of inexpensive nude-for-me pumps – both are good matches for my skin tone. I’m a medium-skinned white person.
One is the Steve Madden Pyper, and it was about $30 at Marshall’s. It has a low-ish heel – maybe 3.5″ – plus a platform, so it’s super comfy. It’s a peeptoe.
The other is from target, it’s the Versie, and it’s very tall for me, 4″, and a little hard to walk in, but gorgeous! I really love it – only about $30.
by low heel for the pyper, I mean 2.5″, oops!
Not quite nude for me, but close enough are Via Spiga’s “grover” pumps, priced right at 40% off $175. True to size, and my toes aren’t squished.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/via-spiga-grover-pump/3101040 – almost no sizes left though. I imagine they are also available elsewhere online.
Since that link goes directly to the navy blue pumps, I’m wondering what your family heritage is ;-)
I have Franco Sarto’s Harlow in light taupe, which is not on sale, but only $89.95. Incredibly comfortable and versatile! http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/franco-sarto-harlow-peep-toe-wedge/3149397?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=franco_sarto_’harlow’_peep_toe_wedge:338358&cm_pla=shoes:women:pumps&cm_ven=Froogle&mr:referralID=NA&mr:trackingCode=8BED1A61-3C3D-E011-997F-001517B1882A
So so cute! Great taste!
Not nude, but I just got a great pair of Franco Sarto for $25 at Lori’s shoes.
http://www.lorisshoes.com/
Great shoe site, excellent customer service and some of the best prices I’ve seen on the internet – consistently less than all other sites for the same shoes.
I ordered a pair of the Land’s End Canvas “Suede Heels,” which are now on sale for $35. They are really beautiful and the brown color is more beige than it appears on the website. Unfortunately the size I ordered was too small, but they’re still available in a few sizes (I’d go 1/2 size up from your standard size).
I recently bought the Steve Madden Ulltra in Blush, perfect shade for me, and really comfortable.
http://www.zappos.com/steve-madden-ulltra-blush
I tried to post this yesterday, but I guess it didn’t work:
I have these shoes as well – in blush and in berry suede. The berry suede are perfect. The blush… I will tell you (and this is maybe TMI) but start to smell deadly after about an hour of wearing barefooted. I never had a problem when I wore stockings with them, but the first time I wore them without, the strangest smell (not a stinky foot smell) emanated from them. I don’t know if its the material or the glue or…? If it happens to you, don’t worry, it’s not your feet! I’m sticking to stockings with them from now on.
Great post – I love beige pumps. They are so classic and professional.
I love the Ivanka Trump Amoro pumps. I posted on them a few weeks ago:
http://theonlineshopper.blogspot.com/2011/05/wear-it-to-work-mondays-ivanka-trumps.html
They come in a light pink-nude color and have a great classic shape.
Love them all, but I would buy those Giuseppe Zanotti pumps! Great investment, you’ll wear them for many seasons to come! So classy.