Finally, the Perfect Nude! Well, almost.

I’ve been on the hunt for a nude pump, slingback or peep-toe for a long time and let me tell you, the pickings are awfully slim. In fashion, the definition of nude has been embarrassingly limited for a long time. From foundation garments to makeup shades and even nail colors, the ‘flesh’ tone has almost exclusively meant some form of a beige-y, pink-y, peachy hue intended to match the skin tone of white people. And it has been a rather narrow representation of white skin tones at that. Well what were the rest of us supposed to do if we wanted shoes that ‘disappeared’ and made our legs look impossibly long? Until now we were plum out of luck. Hell, even Crayola changed the name of its ‘flesh’ crayon to ‘peach’ back in 1962.

Enter Christian Louboutin The Nudes! The luxury shoemaker recently introduced a capsule collection that includes five different shades of ‘nude’ in five popular Louboutin styles: Pigalle, Fifi, Simple Pump, Flo and Vendome. While not matching all the skin tones in the human spectrum, no single shoe manufacturer could, Louboutin has taken a major step in the Fashion Is For Everyone Movement. {Emphasis mine.} If one can get past the sticker shock for a pair of these well-made beauties, one can now strut one’s stuff in a leg-elongating, near perfect nude.

To be clear, I am not one who can get past the sticker shock ($845 for the Vendome) but I am encouraged because I’m sure that more shoe designers will follow the leader and create nude collections that are much more affordable. Here’s hoping!