Splurge vs Save: Nude Heels
There are some classic fashion pieces every girl needs to own. These classics not only keep you looking chic on campus, but will also help to expand your wardrobe post-grad! Each week I’ll feature one classic investment piece and teach you how to incorporate it with inexpensive items you already own. Your money matters, so I’ll give you options– you decide where to save and where to splurge!
This week, the focus is on nude heels – such a classic, but should you splurge or save on them?
Why Buy?
You probably already own a killer pair (or four!) of black pumps. Black is classy, goes with everything, and is easy to dress up or down. While black is great, sometimes you just need a little something extra.
That’s where nude heels come in. They transition well from season to season, they’re phenomenally flattering, and, most importantly, they’re different. If you don’t have a pair of nude heels of your own, they are a style you must invest in. You’ll be able to integrate your new pumps into your wardrobe seamlessly, and may even find yourself picking them instead of your basic black when you’re getting ready to go out!
As with all footwear, you get what you pay for, so purchase a pair that are of good quality and your shoes will last you. Buy your trendy, one-time-use party shoes from Wet Seal, but plan to spend a bit more on a pair you’ll wear often.
Tips for Buying
- Nude heels can work for every skin tone, but they have to match! Like makeup, you just have to find a shade that works for you. Don’t be afraid to try on many different colors to find the best hue–nude isn’t one size fits all! If you have darker skin, opt for a chocolate, camel, or tan pair instead of basic beige for a complementary match.
- The nude you pick should be close to your skin color, but not match exactly as this can look a little creepy/old lady-ish. Textures such as animal prints and patent also help spice up a basic pump.
Tips for Wearing
- While they may seem difficult to wear with things you already own, they’re not. Because nude (like black) is a neutral, nude heels go with almost everything. Try a pair with black cigarette pants, your favorite skinny jeans, or even super-trendy bright white, shredded denim. You can even wear them with shorts!
- Nude heels will lengthen your legs like no other! For this reason, they look fabulous paired with your dresses and skirts.
- Post-grad, or if you ever have an internship or job where you need to dress more formally, pair your pumps with a skirt/suit combo. They’ll spice up your more conservative outfit and showcase your awesome sense of style while still being office-appropriate.
Get Your Own!
Splurge:
Product Information: online studded stilettos, Aldo. Dolce Vita Madison in Biscuit Crinkle Patent, Zappos.com. Nine West Rocha in Light Natural, Zappos.com.
Save:
Product Information: Qupid Valtina Platform Pumps, cutesygirl.com, Taupe Faux Leather Crinkle Patent Round Pump Heels, amiclubwear.com, Tan Closed Toe Leatherette Pump, GoJane.com.
What do you think?
Do you own a pair of nude heels yet, or are you fine sticking with traditional black? Would you rather splurge or save on this item?
Leave a comment and tell us your thoughts!
Posted on on September 20, 2009 / Filed Under: Shopping / Tags: Classic, Heels, How To, Save vs Splurge, Shoes, Splurge, Tips
Like this post?
Before you post a comment, please read the 
Dubai Stylista
Ooh, I love nude heels for the awesome leg-lengthening factor, but I have yet to find a pair I like ! :(
Paz
I love these! I got a pair of two-tone, kind of 20’s looking pale 5-inch heels on sale last spring, and I wear them with anything! They’re beautiful, and it’s true they do lengthen the leg like nothing else!
Great post! x
Bizzy
I splurged on this item last April. I got a pair of nude peep-toe Louboutins. They’re my favorite pair of shoes, and I wear them whenever I want to feel a bit more luxurious, although it’s gorgeous with dark blue skinnies + a v-neck tee!
Valeria
I love nude pumps! But I’m too coward to use heels… it hurts so much!! Besides, in my country, when you wear heels at the university, people look at you very weird. Does that happen to you too? I’m 18 years old, maybe that’s the thing… :/
Nicole
I have a pair of Wide Leg Navy dress pants with a light blue pinstripe, that I planed on wearing on a job interview and was stumped as to the propper shoe to go with it. Now that you posted “nude shoes” it seems like a no brainer ! Thank You CF !
Bizzy
@ Valeria I wear heels a lot when I’m on campus, but only because I’m comfortable and confident in them. I get some looks sometimes, but I really don’t care. Besides, there are girls who come to class in their PJ’s! I’d rather be caught overdressed than under-dressed any day of the week!
Julie
I think that I’ll splurge on these ones. They will certainly get a lot of wear ad need to last for a very long, long time. I’m still looking for my perfect pair n_n.
Emma
Great post!! Love all these heels. Though it would have been nice to see the prices of these shoes in the post rather than having to click through on every single link. Just a suggestion!
Julie
i agree with emma, i’d love to the the prices of the pieces
Cassandra
Loooove them so much. shamelessly splurged on a pair of basic peep-toe nude pumps and wide-strapped platforms, but splurging was so worth it. The peep-toes go with almost anything and are so comfy :) The platforms are comfy, too, but 11 cm tall … still have to find a way to work them into a normal day :/
Jessica
I just bought a pair of nude heels this summer at Bealls Outlet for $20. I like them, but actually haven’t worn them out yet! I haven’t made the transition to wearing heels often yet, so I usually opt for flats or sandals since my friends wear those too. They seem more casual than heels. Can’t wait to wear my new heels though! I love the nude color for heels!
Annie
I definitely should put them on my shopping list! However, I dont wear pumps often – I just feel more comortable in flats, and my studies require a lot of standing and walking, so wearing heels a whole day would kill my feet ;) I’m going to splurge on them a bit anyway – a full-leather pricey pair is always more comfy than cheap and plastic one. I only worry that it may be diffcult to find the right color, I’m very pale.
Aiko
This idea is really cool – elegant and super stylish without being flashy. Reminds me of awesome nude nailpolish, which is the same idea. Stylish and shiny but not flashy.
Jess
@ Valeria I agree with @ Bizzy. I would rather be over-dressed then under-dressed. In my town everyone on campus is very casual. the girls(around 80% of them) mostly wear pjs, sweats,basketball shorts and old t-shirts.
I get looks all the time when I wear my heels and when I am all dressed up. But I don’t care. If you want to wear heels on campus, go for it, just be confident and ignore the funny looks.
You should look at this post:
http://www.collegefashion.net/fashion-tips/25-reasons-why-you-should-dress-up-every-day/
It gives me motivation to dress up everyday.
Back to the post. I am in love with these heels. I am looking hard for a good pair and still can’t find one I love :( but I do plan to Splurge because I want them to last a long time.
Good post, you should do more like these. I like hehe:)
Kim - Cal State
ooh these are super nice, i like the pictures you chose. i can definitely see myself wearing these with some dark skinnies. and you’re right about skin tone matching, i never thought about that before, i’ll definitely keep that in mind when i go looking for some.
Sarah
I reeallly need to get some. I’m tiny so I can really use the leg lengthening effect. Love the Dolce Vitas :)
Gabrielle
I just bought a great pair of nude heels at Banana Republic today! They were on sale for about $70. I just started my first full-time job, so they will get plenty of use.
Paula ♥
I never really see brown heels in stores, besides my feet are flat, so I don’t think heels will ever work for me =(
Valeria
@ Jess and @ Bizzy You made a great point! I also rather being over-dress than under-dressed. I know I have to get started some day with heels. I really love the way the look on my chubby legs… So, yea, maybe tomorrow I’ll wear my heels. Very inspirating! :)
Giselle
I’ve been wanting nude heels so a while now. I think this post is going to motivate me to look for some great ones. But since you said a nude heel shouldn’t be exactly the same as your skin tone..I’m wondering, should they be a little darker or a little lighter?
Bizzy
@Giselle I went a little darker, so when I do get a tan in the summer it matches more. I think if you did lighter it would look kind of strange honestly. Like the reason you wear white is to look more tan, it would kind of do the same thing. I went just a couple shades darker.
jojo
I agree that nude heels are a wardrobe staple.
I splurged on mine, and bought Louboutins. I could not resist!
bo
I like the nude heel look I wish you posted some example outfits for inspiration, because I’m not really sure what I’d wear with them. I dont think i’d necessarily splurge on them but I’d probobly spend an average amound like from $50-120 but cheaper if I could find a good pair of cheap ones I like. I’d deffinently want a platform boost on mine as well and maybe a colored sole.
Bizzy
@bo the best thing about them is that they can go with ANYTHING. They’re a neutral, so anything you’d wear a black shoe with, you can wear a nude shoe with. Endless possibilities!
P.S. Yes I have no life today and am responding to comments since I’m avoiding writing a paper XD
Jess
@ Valeria Good Luck tomorrow. Remember be confident and rock it.
Ava
Fabulous! I was just searching for a pair of great nude pumps. I recently discovered that black pumps go with 90% of my closet, but some outfits can NOT be paired with them at all. The pumps you suggested were nice, but they’re all pretty tall and a similar style. I guess that’s just your own style. It still inspired me to continue looking for nude pumps that mesh with me. :)
beccap
i love these!! i’ve been on this trend for awhile, but i haven’t purchased any because i can’t really do heels on a normal day- i wear them maybe three times a year.
i was on the prowl for –nude flats– for the past few seasons but i couldn’t find any in stores- they were all stilettos! i ended up buying a cheap pair of nude tennis shoes that are uber comfy but they’re a bit too casual & old-lady chic for my liking…
any tips??
Rina
I admit that I sticked to the black color – just last week I bought these classic stilettos (they look very much like those Nine West posted above) – and even though I didn’t go for any worldly known designer brand, I certainly didn’t try to save on these.
I think it’s very important to buy perfectly cut&made heels, otherwise you end up in a puddle of blood (not to mention how you ruin your legs and back).
..but this post got me thinking – maybe I need the nude ones as well…
elle
I love the idea of nude pumps… its just that they’re INCREDIBLY difficult to find in person and online. You just have to get lucky, I guess. Zappos doesn’t really help either because they have way too many color categories to choose from: beige, tan, neutral, bone… etc.
I currently have a pair of honey colored bow heels from Jessica Simpson and I LOOOVE them :) http://elleandish.wordpress.com/2009/09/08/nude-heels/
Sher
I just found the perfect pair after searching for MONTHS!! Alloy.com had some gorgeous nude patent pumps with studs on the platforms. They are Crazy Beautiful!!! And super comfortable for being 4 inches high
Liz
I love nude heels as well but have yet to come across a pair that suits my skin tone AND fit well. I believe in splurging for the right product but that doesn’t mean buying the most expensive pair out there. It means finding one that suits me perfectly in every way. I’ve bought many cheap shoes with disastrous results and many expensive shoes that turned out be utter waste. The key is to find one that looks good, that you can walk in comfortably, and that is of good quality to last you for a while (cost per wear). I don’t care anymore whether my shoes are Nine West or Jimmy Choos – I like the ones I feel best in.
Shalala
Hi, im looking for a pair of nude pumps for prom!
i need some advice!
would that be appropriate to wear to?
and should the tone be slightly lighter than my skin tone or slightly darker?
thanks!
elledee
Oo I like these a lot! Nudes are great for autumn! Here are some more nude pumps I found: http://glammed.blogspot.com/2009/10/nudes-for-autumn.html
Summer
OMG, i am in LOVE with nude heels. I was Boxing Day shopping in Australia and i found the most gorgeous TOny Bianco Nude shoes and they were only $139. GORGEOUS!
wazy
Wanted these for a while, found one that complimented my skin tone PERFECTLY from Steve Madden and wore them for New Years with a slim-fitting black dress. Loved it!! I can’t wait to wear these with my highwaisted gray mini with pockets and a white shirt. Love my neutrals!