Trend Report: New Nudes

In honor of the new month and as an ode to the season’s runways, we must focus on a fresh spring trend: nude. Granted, this is not the first time said hue has hit it big, but some of our favorite style muses have been wearing shades of apricot, buff, and beige in lovely ways lately. Accordingly, today’s trend report is dedicated to the discussion of new nudes and the countless ways to wear them!



It would be an understatement to say that the soft neutral had a major presence in the spring shows, as some of the most dynamic fashion houses celebrated the nude look. At Givenchy, Riccardo Tisci turned out capes and frocks (accessories too) in pale flesh tones. Stella McCartney’s collection was chock full of delicate shades of flax and beige, while at Chloe, Hannah MacGibbon sent out gorgeously drapey paper-bag pants and scalloped blazers in the prettiest pale peach. We’ve already seen some of the Chloe pieces in the celebrity stratosphere, specifically on Kate Bosworth. The actress wore an all-Chloe outfit, including an amazing pair of Open Toe Sandals ($690), for a Blackberry Bold launch party in Beverly Hills. We’re particularly fond of her scalloped shorts—so simple, so cute.

Off the catwalks, we’ve noticed that trendsetters tend to punctuate a single nude item with contrasting black pieces. We love the way model Chanel Iman toughened up her bisque Louis Vuitton dress with a little leather moto jacket from Zara and black patent ankle boots for the Louis Vuitton Tribute to Stephen Sprouse after party. The tough-and-tender mix is really chic and is a great way to easily transition into spring. Even Leigh Lezark is embracing the look; the DJ was spotted with a dash of nude in her otherwise all-black outfit at Max Azria’s Fall 09 show earlier this month. Lezark slipped on a body-con flesh-toned top, which she wore with a leather jacket, shorts, and pink Max Azria garters.

In addition to these examples, some fashionable ladies are limiting their nudity—if you will—to their accessories. We noticed that Agyness Deyn was an early nudist, of course. She was spotted in a vintage Dior chapeau in the color du jour at Narciso Rodriguez’s Spring 09 show. Julia Restoin Roitfeld also jumped on the new nude bandwagon immediately. The French fashion savant sported the much-buzzed-about Givenchy Bow Headband ($305, 312.587.1000) in nude at the Givenchy after-party at Regine’s in Paris.

Though we used to be never nudes (not like Tobias Funke, just not fans of the color), now we’re a bit obsessed with it. Elizabeth and James just came out with a nude version of their amazing Kimono Dress ($365)—it’s the perfect naked frock—while Topshop is stocking an Oversize Slouch Tee ($36) in nude, as well as an awesome Topshop Panel Bodycon Mini Skirt ($44).

Accessories are even more plentiful, as the options abound from head to toe. Starting at the top: if you like the idea of the Givenchy Bow Headband, but not the price, check out Anthropologie’s Silk Bouquet Headband ($42). The look is totally different, but cool nevertheless. We also found several noteworthy shoe styles, including Pour La Victoire’s Aaliyah Posted Strappy Sandals ($292). We really adore these heels; they’re very Alaia-ish, but with a much more budget-friendly price tag! Also notable are Jeffrey Campbell’s Lace-Up Peep Toe Shoes ($148), we like their bondage-lite look, as well as the equally cool Loeffler Randall Neve Ankle Boots ($595).

Photos of Agyness Deyn and Kate Bosworth, WENN. Photo of Julia Restoin Roitfeld, Getty Images.