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After I watched Calvin Klein's mix of nude and black come down the resort runway in 2009, I went home and dyed half my closet to match what I had seen. So beautiful, so simple.
Today the combo is everywhere from J.Crew to Rebecca Taylor. It's intensely sexy, while still being prettily demure. The only issue? Getting over your fear of looking naked wearing nude. But, I mean, isn't that what a hot, steamy summer is for? Find a few of my favorite picks after the jump.
Camilla and Marc, Hart Jacket in rose, $462 I'm dying to wear this amazing silk-blended jacket with jean shorts and sandals on weekends and then with a little black dress to work. The length is perfection for cinching with a belt, which instantly makes it even more chic.
Current/Elliot Skinny Jeans, $76.99Forget white denim -- this nude jean is the new pant for summer. Ideal-cuffed with an oversize men's button-down and nude sandals.
Tory Burch Metallic Saffiano Wristlet, $155 If you're anything like me, the search for the perfect night-out bag is a never-ending saga. But this Tory Burch wristlet has found a little place in my heart, and hand, at least for the summer months. It's an easy, not-so-in-your-face way to wear the nude trend.
American Apparel Chiffon Waist Skirt, $42I've never been a big short-skirt fan, but this summer I'm going the uber-girly route and showing off my finally tanned gams with this amazing chiffon flounce skirt. It's super-comfortable and quintessentially pretty.
ASOS Nude Keyhole Rounded Sunglasses, $16.91 Tired of the giant-sunglasses phenomenon that has taken over the world for the past four years? Me too. Desperate to cover my eyes the moment I head outside, I tried the rounded-frames look and found they're (shockingly) not too hipster-ish and (another shocker) look good on every face structure.
Laura Mercier Lip Gloss in blush, $22 I'm a lazy girl, which is probably the reason I live for summer. But doesn't everyone love the fact that this is the season you can go barefaced and still feel gorgeous? Regardless, I find total happiness in a great lip gloss, and this Laura Mercier blush shade is heavenly on any tone of sun-kissed skin.
Diane von Furstenberg Canaielle Dress, $595My DVF love affairs continues. I am having daydreams of styling my friends in this dress with black nails, chunky rose gold and black bangles with the highest of heels possible. Bonus, it's a classic and it will look phenomenal in the winter with black tights and a black blazer.
A.L.C. Mesh Wrap Dress, $394This dress is aching for a place in my closet. An incredible update to the boringly overdone little black dress that I wear every chance I get ... Oh, and I know you have the exact same LBD problem.
Anthropologie Loping Herd Bikini top and bottom, $58 eachAnyone who knows me is fully aware of my deep passion for bikinis. I have more than I could ever count and plan to add to the collection with this adorable one from Anthropologie. Wearing nude in bikini form can be a real head-turner, but the subtle giraffe print works, so you won't look totally naked.
Forever 21 Thong Sandals in gold, $7.50First of all, these things are under $8. Yes, $8. But on top of that, I've been wearing Forever 21 shoes for years now and I can tell you they are truly some of the most comfortable things I've ever put on my feet. So, if they don't last forever (or even more than one season), just toss them. Again, they are $8.
Giuseppe Zanotti Design Patent Leather Peep-Toe Heels, $485 Who doesn't want legs that are 4 inches longer? That's truly what these flesh-toned heels were made for. Instant length and instant sex appeal. Ahhh ...
Catherine Stein Pink Satin-tie Bib Necklace, $38 You know those lazy mornings where all you want to wear is what's on your floor? Well, this necklace kinda saves the day. Throw it on with a basic tank and jeans -- you'll look effortlessly chic. It's that easy.
Elizabeth and James Boyfriend Shirt, $245 It's masculine and elegant. This is one of those buys you'll never get sick of and will wear forever. Makes the price point a bit easier to handle. Even in a recession.
Lucca Couture Silky Sleeve Tee, $38 It's a phenomenon I live to embrace: the dressy tee. Hands down the easiest item to style into your already-existing wardrobe and looks eternally great. The more beat up it gets, the better it looks.
Aerie Mesh Tanga Brief, $12.50 Um, I am fully embarrassed to admit this, but I will for the sake of fashion: Just the other day I considered spending over $200 on an identical pair of boy shorts. These sexy things just made my day. Cannot wait to buy three pairs to wear under all my nude dresses.
Nicole Fasolino spends her days styling and doing creative direction for the online fashion brand Alloy. By sunset she can be found behind the camera, snapping photos for her love-filled 365 Heartbeats Project, writing for her Where There Is Love There Is Life blog and styling photo shoots -- always with her bear-sized 7-month-old son, Luca, propped on her hip. Smile, laugh or say the word "love" around her, and she'll immediately ask you to tell her something about your heart as she takes your picture.
Comments:
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Saturday 05 June
By Bobbi
Great looks, however "nude" comes in many shades these days.
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Saturday 05 June
By Sissy
Very pretty items BUT...I'm not sure about you, I just know as for myself I cannot afford a $462.00 jacket. Nor can I afford a boyfriend shirt for $245.00. Come on...what about persons that are on limited budgets OR fixed incomes? We want to look great too.
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Saturday 05 June
By jany
I was thinking the very same thing. $12.50 for underware is bad enough...lol
Sunday 13 June
By mytwocents
Yeah, the prices are way too high for some of the products. They aren't that great. The shirt for 245 dollars is a joke.
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Saturday 05 June
By WearWhatMakesYouHappy
First of all , I wear whatever i like & suits my coloring --i am fair skinned , blonde hair green eyes, and i love pastels , light colors , pretty and feminine colors and skirts. I wear the nude color here and there & the black here and there, but moreso in fall winter. I try to stick to the summer hues ....But as i said i wear what FEELS good & looks good on me --- everyone is different --and this article is kind of like a "we already know" type article--i mean light tan & black -- 2 major color staples . DUH. But actually i prefer white , instead of the nude color . White shows off a tan better as well. I read in cosmopolitan-- the 2 colors that look good on everyone are : pink & white . Funny, they happen to be 2 of my 5 favorite colors. BEST rule of thumb for anyone -- please- wear whats in style , but ONLY the styles that WORK for you . Not EVERY trend or nre style will look right on you , and some will look awesome. ONly wear what makes you happy . Seems to be the best thing. Dont be a slave to fashion-- just take ONLY the trends and styles that you like and that work for YOU. Otherwise , ditch the other styles/trends.
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Saturday 05 June
By Btewer
enough with black or black accents~ Particurlarly during the spring and summer. As a man enough with linnen draw string cargo pants. Designers enough of 10yrs. of this. As far as colour how about celery green with accents of laveder or God forbid stop with the black and white. There was a time tha wearing black in spring was pesona non grata, and I agree. Put a mixture of colours back. Thank you
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Saturday 05 June
By NotMyNude
Whose nude are you taking about?
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Sunday 06 June
By Tammy
I don't know about anyone else, but I have a problem with someone telling me what is a must. It makes know for sure that it isn't a must for me then.
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Sunday 06 June
By Ellen
"Nude" is a state of dress, not a color. I wonder if Michelle Obama would call that color "nude"
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Sunday 06 June
By Lora
Who decides these things? Is there a committee that gets together and decides you can only be cool if you wear nude and black, have stainless steel applicances in your house and do pilates? If there is a committee, who decides who gets to be on it ? I didn't get a ballot.
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Sunday 06 June
By Kristin
That color is "very light peach" maybe "pale beige" or "glow" or whatever. IT IS NOT "NUDE". Nude is a state of dress, not a single color. Get your act together, you're embarrassing us in front of everyone else on the planet.
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Sunday 06 June
By Joanne
Should a slip or half slip be worn with the skirts and dresses this season. Some look sort of transparent.
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Sunday 06 June
By mesager42
What kind of weather science-challenged idiots tell people to wear black in the summer during the daytime? Here's the lesson: Black fabric aborbs sunlight and heats fabric. The object in the summer is to stay cool, not heat up. White, nude, and pastel colors are the best ones to wear if you want to stay cool in the hot summer sun. If you wear black on a hot sunny day, you will cook - even if you are in the shade. If you want to wear black in the summer, either wear it indoors, at night, or in the water. Never wear black outfits if the wear is hot and you will be out in the sun all day.
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Wednesday 30 June
By mec
what color is "nude" for African-Americans?
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Friday 09 September
By imblack2
never thought of that. Ha ha soooo true. What IS "nude" for us?
Sunday 06 June
By Eye
Very nice picks for summer, however, you say nude and I see peachy beige. Crayola no longer has the "flesh" color crayon for a reason... there are so many shades that one depiction of it does not suffice.
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Sunday 06 June
By Lanie
Hey it is spring and summer months.............................I say bring out the color and have some fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Sunday 06 June
By dee gregory
Fashion expertise, which is questionable at best, always reflects the mood of the culture. We are, evidently then, in no mood to be cheered up. BP, the economy, poverty, earthquakes, hurricanes, political scandals. Please. I'm sticking with my basic black or tan pants and tees, with wild colored scarves, bags, shoes, and jackets. It's worked for 40 years and it still works.
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Sunday 06 June
By Pat Townsend
I believe that the comments above have been made by very intelligent, caring people.
Reply
Sunday 06 June
By pjmcvicker
One word -- UGLY!
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