I don't own a single pair of nude shoes... haven't in about six years when I decided they weren't necessary for my style.

I don't think I've ever owned nude shoes: I've never found anything that was nude on me. So-called nude shoes are generally too pale and too pink. I think I would like dressy sandals in cognac which would be low contrast and would replace my snake ones that are falling apart. I have too many casual sandals to justify casual cognacs which are easier to find. I used to have black hair BTW; now it is more charcoal due to the gray.

A few years ago, I thought I need nude pumps and tried on Louboutins and Kate Spade heels for fun. Didn't take the plunge, and since I've long given up hope for heels, I turned to nude flats. I like the colour on others, but not on myself. I feel slightly undressed, and find the, more unflattering to my feet than flattering to my leg line. I prefer black, even if it shortens the leg line in summer when I'm wearing pencil skirts because it looks sharper to my eye. My one exception is a pair of taupe Birkenstock shoes, but they're more for therapeutic reasons than fashion.

No, I don't think you "need" nude pumps at all. It's absolutely true that they are leg-lengthening, but if you don't find yourself reaching for them, maybe they're not for you.

I would personally prefer a silver or pale pink pair of shoes to a nude pair if I was trying to find a shoe that would be low-contrast with my feet. I've never been a fan of the nude shoe look.

As for your dilemma -- I think the question is, do you really like nude shoes? If so, maybe keep. But if you only got them because you feel that you should have a pair, maybe exchange for black.

I'd love to have a pair of light metallic sandals to wear with lighter colors in summer, but I don't want nude shoes. The look is just not my personal preference! So I guess it depends on whether you really like the look or you just think you need to have a pair because you should.

Sorry to chime in so late, but I have the nude Okala's and I LOVE THEM. I wear them a lot and find that they are very versatile and l love the way they lengthen my leg line. I definitely vote that you should keep them.

I love all the opinions! Thank you for giving me your input. I wish I could respond to everyone individually!

Part of the problem is that I don't *know* if I like nude shoes, because this is my first pair ever. So I think I might be stuck with having to do things the hard way—keep the shoes and experiment. I do like how the nude shoes have a more casual, "daytime" vibe. I think I would mostly use them in my "conservative" capsule, which I would wear for professional stuff (which I don't have much of, but I do have some).

AZ, I did also buy the Okalas in black. But I felt like the ankle strap was too wide on me (my legs are really bony above the ankle). They didn't look nearly as flattering as the nude ones. So the black ones went back almost immediately. I also figured that there weren't any outfits where I would need the black ones rather than the nude ones; one pair should do it.

Astrid, I have thought about a pair of light metallic sandals as well! But I would want those to be flats, which would be a different vibe.

Angela K, I think I will be keeping!

I have dark hair & bought the nude Okalas. I already own a similar style in black & will probably wear those more but there are certain dresses I don't want to wear with black shoes. I would've been just as happy with a white ankle strap shoe, maybe even preferred it to nude. I do have a sand colored leather jacket & honey colored trench that will look good with the nude shoe though. I also have the black & white cow print Okalas, which have a saddle colored strap, which you might prefer to a black strap, without having to have a nude shoe. There are probably other ankle strap shoes out there with low contrast strap & dark shoe if you feel that suits your style better.

It is low contrast shoes rather than nude which are necessary for me - especially for summer when I wear more skirts and cropped pants. Even though my hair is dark I do not like bookending with black footwear in summer - actually black footwear is in minority in my closet for any season.

I think I got a bug from Angie for white and light footwear and stubbornly ingnore the bookending thing. My thought is that light shoes bookend my skin anyway so there is plenty of bookending going on

I have a pair of nude caged wedge sandals an enjoyed wearing those...

I don't like light colored or nude shoes for me. I've only worn white shoes for my first communion, high school graduation, and wedding. ( and if I were to get married today, I'd probably buy a color!). But I do have a pair of Chanel inspired nude flats with a black cap toe tha I like. I like the more "grounded" look of a dark or bright shoe.

I can't imagine NOT owning at least one pair of nude shoes. To me, they are not a trend but rather a classic and I am sure that I will always wear them!