I actually wear this color alot without realizing it was leg lengthening

I would really like to find a shoe that does this for me. What a cool visual trick. Plus doesn’t the neutral color of the shoe go with lots of different colors of clothes? And doesn’t it kinda make your feet “go away”— meaning your eye is not instantly drawn to a person’s feet?

I like this tip–thanks!

Great tip! Since I’m pretty short I like different ideas I can use to visually extend the length of my legs. I like the cuff heel shoes on the third row.

My favorite pumps are peep-toe slingbacks in tan, so just a little darker than my legs. I don’t wear them so much for the leg lengthening, but they’re a great alternative to white or black or matching shoes with bright, colorful dresses. In fact, I’ve got them on today with a burgundy wrap dress!

I love nude shoes. Besides the whole leg-lengthening thing, I just think they’re so sexy. Practical, too- they go with almost anything. I’ve been looking for a round-toe pump with a slightly chunky, 2″ heel for years. No luck yet, I’m afraid.

I like using the nude color (more of a light tan in my case) to counteract an otherwise leg-shortening shoe style — like the logger boots and weird pair of lace-up wedges that I HAD to have.

I am really looking forward to trying out this style next summer, particularly as being short legged is one of my biggest fashion challenges. I am attracted to your saying that mary janes and other strapped styles can be worn in this colour while still being leg elongating, as I have been suspecting that finding a low vamp shoe I can wear is difficult.

I adore nude/tan shoes and have been wearing them for quite a few years. Not only do they lengthen the leg line, but they also match my (dark blond) hair. I am always on a lookout for a nice new pair.

Angie, another mind meld! A new pair of nude shoes are on my list, too.

I’m on the hunt for a good nude wedge because I also have the short-legged challenge. I’d like to find a good low heel (not flat- 1″) and a comfy higher wedge heel. I’ll try the Kenneth Cole shoes when I find them at a good price.

Nude colored shoes, especially for summer, have been a must-have for me for years. The shoe I wish I could duplicate or triplicate is a nude athletic ballet flat with a low vamp by Bare Traps bought at DSW a few years ago. It’s much like the Clarks Privo and is a perfect MOTG shoe.

That Nanette Lepore sandal is Killer!

I love wearing nude colored shoes. They go with everything, and for some reason I really like how they go with black clothes. I have sandals and dressy t-strap pumps in nude, and I have my eyes on a pair of nude pumps with just a hint of platform.

It’s a continual frustration of mine that “flesh toned” actually means (white) flesh toned. I get that our culture assumes whiteness to be the default, but it isn’t. nd I know plenty of people for whom those shoes are nowhere near their flesh tone.

Yeah, what Meg said. What about women of color?

I see Meg’s point–I have darker skin so the “flesh tones” shown certainly would not work on me, but darker sandals do.Any tips from Angie on this topic for darker skinned women?

Anita, the concept is exactly the same for darker skinned ladies. All you do is opt for a darker shoe. Check out Lesley’s shoes on her feet against her skin tone:

http://i664.photobucket.com/al.....ePeeps.jpg

Also, on darker skin, bronze coloured footwear has a similar leg lengthening effect.

I’ve heard this again and again, and totally get the concept … but am yet to embrace nude shoes myself. I just can’t imagine what I’d wear them with.

Last year, I bought a pair of champagne/nude sandals and was pleasantly surprised how they looked with my fair skin. I liked how I didn’ t have the sharp contrast between my skin and dark shoes, as I’d always worn.

What do you think of matching shoes with hair? I do wear brown shoes often fall/winter/ spring. Its only in summer that I wear those nude sandals with skirts.

I always opt for the “prettier color” so thanks for pointing out how pretty nude color shoes can be. The Nanette Lapore are so cute, as usual.
I think we should beware though of spectator shoes that have nude for the inside color because from far away the nude blends in with the ankles making one look like they have tiny, tiny feet. Not so sweet.

Anyone who feels left out because the shoes shown do not match your particular skin tone, before jumping on Angie, please re read the paragraph right above the pictures of the shoes and see how Angie chooses shoes that are not really nude, but work as the nude for her. Just find what works for you. It would be a huge job to post a picture for each and every skin tone.

but none of these shoes are flesh-toned though. ;-/

“It would be a huge job to post a picture for each and every skin tone.”

True. But a single non-”white” pair would show at least some consciousness of the diversity of her audience. Angie does such a great job of addressing diversity of body shape that I’ll hope for better from her in the future with regard to skin color.

I guess I am the odd one out. I always opt for shoes that have as much contrast as possible rather than ones that match my skin tone. This is actually partially why I chose the pewter Brulees over the champagne. Maybe it’s just because my foal legs do not need shortening rather than lengthening (I know everyone is falling off their chairs at the idea of intentional leg shortening, but being humanly proportionate looks better to me than the very unnatural ideal that the fashion world puts forth).

I just purchased a pair of flesh toned wedges a couple of days ago. It was a little harder for me to find a pair of nude shoes my color, because I am darker skinned, and I wanted to find a pair of shoes that was truly flesh toned for my skin. I found some great nude colors at Aldo and at Macy’s I found a pair of Jessica Simpson wedges they are really cute and I can dress them up or down. I like how versatile nude shoes are, they are a great solution for those clothing that don’t seem to match anything.

Thanks for the options you have pictured here! I may seek out the Nanette sandals because try as I might, I am never able to find cute nude heels. I last looked about 2 months ago (both in stores and online) and came up empty handed.

Thanks for confirming my thoughts Angie–”flesh-toned” can be quite individual, you just have to find the shoe closest to your own skin tone for that magical
6 inches-added-to-my-legs look

Great post Angie! I use this trick with pencil skirts and slim-fitting dresses. It definitely make my legs look more elegant and slim.

Oh I meant to ask this in my comment:

Angie, have you had any clients in those amazing Blowfish shoes? I absolutely adore them. I know they probably won’t make the 8 hour mark for me, but the heel is nice and chunky the toe area seems very round and generous even though they are vinyl and not leather. They could definitely work as 4 hour shoes or work shoes.

Love the look! I’d love to get some pumps in that color. Temptations, temptations…

This is one trend I have been excited about because it’s something I have been doing for years, but now there’s a much better selection in this color range. Yay!

I heard some years ago that Marlene Dietrich used this trick a lot to lengthen her legs. So of course I simply had to have nude colored shoes. Mine are just plain classic dress pumps–one pair with slight platform, one without. It would be nice to get more varied styles, esp. sandals. And I never thought of using metallics as a nude color, but it’s a great idea!

I once wore my flesh colored sandals with my jean capri and it made my legs look thin and elongated. Anyways, dint wear them from then on because i did not want to have that elongated look. As is am thin for my height. 105 lb for 5 feet and 4.5 inches.

I’m always telling my clients to do this for a summer sandal or shoe – it really can add inches to your legs.

You often see celebs on the red carpet using this little trick too.

We were at the Dallas Market last week and saw so many nude platform sandals, they were prolific. Some very cute ones are available.

You are absolutley right Angie about the positive effects of this shoe. I wish I saw more women sporting them, especially a closed toe pump, as that can be year round wear with a skirt-suit or sheath. Classic & polished.

LOVE a nude color shoe…works for everything…great tip:)

Lovely shoes, all of them, but they are really only “flesh-toned” if you’re caucasian.

Karin, Angie has already explained in the comments that whatever your “flesh tone” might be, find shoes to match and you will achieve the same effect.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE those nude peeps of Lesleys on this link! http://i664.photobucket.com/al.....ePeeps.jpg

Can someone — Angie? Lesley? — please tell me the label & style and where you purchased them? I’ve been looking for a pair like these forever!

It’s the same thing with a French manicure…it does lengthen the look of my fingers….skaters and ballet dancers use this flesh toned shoe stocking combo for the same reason….

btw…in the “Art Realm” Flesh is actually a color… if mixing paint it would be Cadmium Red, Orange and White….sometimes a touch of Raw or Burnt Sienna and Umber depending on the light source….combining these colors is ALSO used for women of color…but now i’m getting too technical….

Layman’s terms…Peachy with a touch of White, Browns and Reds

but SKIN color… is a whole different conversation! ^__~

Nude coloured shoes might do wonders for my legs but they look boring and old. I associate elderly women with this colour shoes. After reading this post yesterday, I took a closer look at a champagne coloured pair of shoes today and my son immediately asked me if granny look was the latest fashion
I guess my legs won’t look longer any time soon. Maybe in 20 years.

Hmmm I don’t own a pair of flesh-colored shoes. I should buy some since I’m only 5 feet tall.

I’d have the same problem as some of the other commenters, except in the opposite direction – all of these ‘flesh tones’ would be darker than my pasty white skin. I have to agree with Zora – this look looks old to me, and reminds me of grandmas in sensible shoes who wear the same shoes with every outfit.

I love nude shoes for my short legs (actually pure white is the colour of my skin, but yuck) and I find they’re wonderful. I think mine are more of a very pale peach colour, but they are fantastic. It’s really worth trying to find a good pair.

A friend of mine, who is Pakistani, found her “nude”…it’s almost a walnut colour and has a leg lengthening look too.

Maya, I have not had the Blowfish shoes on anyone yet so I can’t vouch for their comfort level. But they suit your style so if you do decide to give them a whirl, let us know the verdict.

Francesca, if you ask Lesley your question through the forum, she’ll help you out with where she got her shoes.

Actually Zora and Laura, it took me a while to get used to the look of fleshed toned shoes too because I thought they were “old granny–like”. But they are magical in the right shape and with the right outfit.

Check out a very chic example of this at The Sartorialist:

http://www.thesartorialist.com.....ineWeb.jpg

Very elegant and sophisticated!!

I’ve been doing this the last few summers. I have nude low heels with pointy toes for work and 4″ wedge sandals (very comfy despite their height) for casual wear. I also have a pair of semi-transparent light gold sandals (slightly metallic) that achieve the same leg-lengthening effect with a dressier look. I’ll probably wear those to my cousin’s wedding in July.

I too associate nude shoes a bit with older women, so I’m very careful to choose a shoe shape that is younger. No sensible lower rounded toe and 2″ block heel in nude for me.

[...] Lively ain’t so bad herself. Did you know that nude shoes make your legs longer? True story! Now mind you, these are two examples of the “Romper short” vs. the “Romper [...]

And let’s be honest, we’ve ALL been searching for that ‘perfect’ shoe to complete our ‘open thigh snake dress’ outfit. http://images.huffingtonpost.c.....iginal.jpg Hm. Maybe I’ll just start with the shoes.

[...] wear flesh-colored shoes but they made her legs look so much longer.  It really was a cool look.  You Look Fab had an article about skin colored shoes and I now I am kind of interested in how I would look in [...]