Couture Carrie’s post here reminded me of an issue that has amused me for a while. How did we — at this time when so much we say better be politically correct or else — start calling beige clothes or shoes “nude”? Obviously, “nude” sounds sexier than “beige,” but since not all people are beige under their clothes, it’s a misnomer.
Crayola Crayons changed the name of the “Flesh” crayon to “Peach” in recognition of that fact that not all people have the same skin color … way back in 1962. (Which means my memory of having used the “Flesh” crayon is totally false since I wasn’t born till 1967. Interesting.)
When I got these shoes in June, I described them as “neutral” rather than “nude.”
Good point. I always thought that color designation was a bit strange.
Fascinating observation Wendy, I just call colours by the first descriptive word that jumps into my head!
LM
x
Hi there-I adore these shoes, whatever shade they are deemed to be called! Have a lovely weekend!
You’re right. It might as well be called “caucasian” lol
Beige or peach is much better
well i should even say i am rather white than beige under my clothes 🙂 (and i don’t mean that racist in any kind of way.)
Excellent point, that I first noticed on hosery. I also enjoy calling “beige” hues “biscuit”, but pronounced like the french might do: “bis-kwee”. It makes me feel very continental.
You may have just been given a really old box of crayons by someone who knew you’d never stay in the lines anyway.
Interesting. I never thought of that.
Thank you for this. I will stop calling my shoes that way.. it’s now ummm beige.
Ms. Wendy: I know you hate Jezebel, but you might be intrigued to note it did a piece on this very topic – at least I think it was Jezebel. How strange and timely.
K.Line, interesting! Maybe they were inspired by Couture Carrie too. She’s very inspirational.
I think to be technically accurate, you’d have to call them “beige” instead of “nude,” simply for the reason you point out: not everyone is this shade of beige under their clothes.
I like “beige” better, but I understand why “nude” is considered “sexier.” Nevertheless, it’ll be “beige” for me.
They’re hot shoes, in any color.
I was born in 1968, I’m really glad the color “flesh” had been nixed…sounds too much like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre! Ugh.
Things that make ya go hmmmmmmm….
I like the “bisk-wee” idea a lot. I remember that in kindergarten I would always get annoyed when people called the “peach” marker “skin color”. However, this was not really out of political correct-ness so much as the fact that my skin has always been slightly sallow.
low fat organic milk with a dash of Arabica Coffee color I’d say! 😉
C.C is so amazzzing!
A “neutral” colour to me is a white, beige, gray, black, even some browns. If you ” I’d see the beige leather of your shoes in my mind’s eye.
they are freakin nice neutral shoes
they’re super cute
those shoes are nice!!
i like those shoes in neutral, nude, peach, or beige.
I have memories of “flesh” colored crayons, too, and yet I was born in 1974! What is up with that? Did I have really old crayons?
Good point, though.
I’m sure I’ve seen brown bras, things falling into the ‘neutral’ as in slightly non-descript category described as nude. But it’s a good point.
I just think the whole concept of “nude” undergarments and hosiery sort of misses the point. I mean, why not just BE nude underneath? Support be damned! Or maybe stuff some biscuits in strategic places.
Interesting observation. Thanks for sharing!
Hmm interesting!
I could have sworn I had a Crayola that was called “flesh” as a kid too but I wasn’t born then either.
In related news, I bought a package of “multicultural” Crayolas (yes, that was the real name) just yesterday for my son, who complained that the only skin color he had was a peachy flesh tone. The new box has all the shades from black, brown, and various shades of tan to white.
They like to periodically change the name of this colour. Makes me wonder what it will be called next.
If you really want to think about it “nude” is very “un-PC” because not everyone is this colour naked.
those are fabulous. i really want a pair of open toed oxfords. they’re so sweet.
hot laced booties with a peep toe?yes please! love these gems by Dolce and Gabbana
OMGGGGGGG I love this pair of open toe booties!!!!!!!!!!
I feel like I colored with 'flesh' colored crayons too–and was always pissed by how they didn't show up against the white pages of coloring books. & I was born in '78. Hmmm….
A fash journo point that has been extolled many times by the wonderful Hadley Freeman…it’s the same reason we call grey-beige putty or red, scarlet…. it just reads better in magazines…
i love multicultural crayolas! i know i used flesh crayons, and i was born same year. they must have sat in warehouses for years?
I’m partial to calling it “light beige” or “cream”…but, you have a good point…nude for one person is not necessarily nude for everyone!
It’s true. Nude isn’t a color, it’s a series of colors. I definitely think those shoes are a neutral tone… they’re almost a “whisper pink”.