What's the trick to wearing "nude" colors? - YouLookFab Forum

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What's the trick to wearing "nude" colors?

nemosmom

Veteran

Playing in my closet to get my mind off of things, and I wanted to ask you all about this blush/champagne-ish colored tank that is covered in teeny sequins.

I have owned this tank for almost 8 years, and have never worn it. It's really pretty, but I have NO idea how to wear it. It's very 'fluid' feeling in the hand and drapes beautifully, has a not-too-deep neckline, and seems like it would be a fun layering piece.

I think the problem is - it's the EXACT color of my skin. So much so, that at a distance, I look almost naked from the waist up when I am wearing it. I already have a long torso and short inseam, so any just about bottom I put with it makes my legs look even shorter. Even with a dark ink blazer and white jeans. I just can't seem to strike a balance that feels right.

Do you have any tricks for wearing nude colors?

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Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from

Sal

Veteran

I like these colours better either with white or contrast. It can be hard to get it right. I could see this with a blazer or jacket or cardigan and jeans/ pants/ cool shoes combo. Maybe a necklace?

CarolS

Veteran

What a pretty top. Have you tried it with white or cream fluid wide leg crops and a non-contrast topper? A blush moto speaks to me for some reason...Then maybe a pretty necklace as Sal suggests or earrings with some presence...

Bijou

Veteran

Nemosmom, I cannot wear a very nude shade. If blush has enough pink, then it works, but otherwise it blends too much with my skin and hair. I like this shade with olive, cream, white and pink which brings out pink. I also wear light pinks with leopard print.

rachylou

Veteran

A long fluffy cardigan is what I envision... kinda boho tho...

Runcarla

Veteran

I struggle with the same thing, and have made two attempts at formulating a blush capsule over the past 4-5 years. The only survivors of those experiments is a pink/blush lace tank top and a pair of slides. I wear the lace tank with olive chinos and a silky black bomber with embroidered birds and flowers that pick up the peachy pink of the top. I also wear it with black silky bottoms as a kind of evening out outfit. I think a pedi with coloured nail polish helps the sandals.

Though I’ve worn the blush tank with white jeans, I don’t feel it’s my best look. I feel washed out in that combination. The blush needs something dark to ground it.

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CarolS

Veteran

I love the leopard shoes with the blush, Carla!

slim cat

Veteran

White pearl necklace ( or just any color necklace ) to complement the skin or a few silver/gold chains to fill the space just higher then neckline of the top tank.
I like Carla's suggestion of olive color in outfit.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Would you like to try wearing a mesh long-sleeved black top or something like that under it? It would make it stand out. Otherwise if it were me I would wear nice pants with it, perhaps white but perhaps dark, nice sandals, maybe contrasting jewellery but I’m not sure. I would do an outfit lab on it for myself.

Joy

Veteran

Pick a shade of nude that looks fab on you. In this case you might add a scarf and/or topper to break up the nude look. I am most careful about nude pants that look like I am nude from the waist down. Not a comfortable look. I can see that top worn under a blazer.

notsaf

Veteran

Go tonal if you can!

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I have some trouble with this too. I have a pair of leopard skinnies that are super comfortable, but I hardly reach for them, and I think it may be because the background "yellow" is almost exactly my skin tone. So it sorta looks like I have spotty legs??

Staysfit

Veteran

I use my nude tops as a neutral layer underneath dressy deep V neck tops and dresses. This looks like the perfect option since it appears to have a nice metallic sheen. If I match a nude too closely to my skin tone, it does appear as though I am not wearing anything. The best nude tones complement rather than skin tone match exactly. Carla’s blush tone is complementary, not so close to her natural coloring that it fades.

nemosmom

Veteran

Thanks, everyone!

The lack of contrast/color is definitely the issue. I want to play with it a bit before I pass it on -- I just had NO idea where to start. You all have given me some great ideas - layering a top over or under it, adding jewelry, and different types of toppers.

I tried it with a black blazer and pant, thinking it might work as a party look, but it still looked off. Sigh... it's so pretty

Liz

Veteran

I had that same problem with a top -- so pretty, exact color of my skin, trimmed in sequins. I couldn't find a way to wear it that looked right. Hopefully, you will be able to!

I still love blush because it's so versatile in my closet, but I'm recognizing that my blush items are all "outer" now -- cardigans, denim jacket, shoes, scarves. My one blush top is much pinker than my skin, more like Carla's.

Roxanna

Veteran

For me, the trick to nude colors is that they HAVE to have sufficient contrast to my skin - darker or lighter - otherwise they make me washed out. Also, they have to be warm and clear without a trace of Grey - otherwise I look sallow and tired. This has been a hard lesson to learn - many luscious camel colored items have been sacrificed!!

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nemosmom

Veteran

I tried it today over a white tee, paired with medium wash denim and a chunky gold necklace - it was just 'ok'. The look worked, the white helped add SOME dimension. I COULD wear it, I just don't know if I WOULD...

CarolS

Veteran

nemosmom, I see an awesome cinnamon velvet blazer in your finds. Not sure if it's something you own, or of you have other things in that vein -- but what about pairing blush with cinnamon/brown and white or cream? I'd still keep the bottom pretty tonal -- close to the intensity of the blush so you don't get a hard line that might make your legs appear shorter. I am a bit obsessed with blush and warm browns...

nemosmom

Veteran

Thanks, Carol! The cinnamon blazer is a wishlist item of mine! I love blush with rust and cream! I only have the one blush tank... I do have a rust skirt and skinny jeans (they were too dark with it) and nothing really in a similar contrast to the blush. I will stick it back in holding for now and maybe revisit it when I am able to drop donations again!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I have a blush camisole that I thought would be a nice layer under a dress with a low-cut slit neck with button loop closures. It didn't work for the same reason you describe--it looked too much like I wasn't wearing any layer underneath, which is not the look I wanted. It might be that this tank is not going to work for you. For myself, I do like blush pieces, like a couple of cardigans, a bag, shoes, a coat. You might try the color in outside pieces, rather than an under-layer.

The Cat

Veteran

I think you have to take into comsideration whether your colouring is warm or cold. Personally, I have finally realized that in order for "nudes" to harmonize with my cool colouring, my "nudes" NEED to be (at least a bit) more pink than beige. I am now donating the rest of my too beige-looking "nude" items.

Others might look better if their "nudes" are more champagne, apricot or toffee, depending on their skin tones.

I feel that the (pink) nudes that are right for me can be combined with any colour in my wardrobe. But I have to admit that I have never owned (or even seen) a "nude" item in my EXACT skin colour. My present "nude" items are slightly lighter than my skin.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wear it under a semi-tucked shirt or blouse with jeans.

Anonymous

I think it would be nice with burgundy or olive!
Nude to me would be somewhere between camel and cognac, not exactly a popular shade at retail. My copper raincoat is very close, in indoor lighting. I'd think a coat, volume, sheen, or textured fabric would be key to not look nude!