The Best Nude Heels for Every Skin Tone

Whether you prefer a kitten heel or sky-high platform sandal, everyone can benefit from owning a pair of nude heels. As one of the most versatile shoe colors, nude has a way of becoming completely invisible—thus creating the illusion of longer legs—and allowing an outfit to shine.

"Oftentimes, I will choose a nude heel to pair with a bold or dramatic dress to help keep the spotlight on the dress rather than the shoes,” says wardrobe stylist Gabbi Maragos.

One downside to nude heels is that there are so many shades and styles to choose from, so it’s hard to know where to start. Lucky for you, we consider ourselves nude heel connoisseurs and did a ton of research to uncover the best nude heels on the internet based on design, material, comfort, and most importantly, wide shade ranges that actually match a variety of skin tones.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Tony Bianco Koko Hi Shine Heels at Tony Bianco
• Best Budget: Minshluu Women’s High Heel Pumps at Amazon
• Best Designer: Toteme Leather Mules at Net-A-Porter
• Best Range of Skin Tones: Nine West Arlene Pointy Toe Pumps at Amazon
• Best on Amazon: Marc Fisher Women’s Hadya Pump at Amazon
• Best Comfortable: Margaux The Heel at Margaux
• Best Mules: Dolce Vita Lexy Heels at Dolce Vita
• Best Patent: By Far Tanya Sandals at By Far
• Best Platform: Aerosoles Camera Platform Sandal at Nordstrom
• Best Kitten Heel: SARTO by Franco Sarto Devin Pump at Amazon

Best Overall

Tony Bianco Koko Hi Shine Heels

View on Tonybianco.com

Size: 5.5-11 | Material: Leather | Heel Height: 1.8 inches

If these look familiar to you, it’s because they are. Whether or not it’s because you’ve seen them on your IG feed or because they feel reminiscent of Mui Mui’s patent kittens (albeit at a considerably more accessible price point), Tony Bianco has solidified itself as a must-shop, must-have brand. Hailing from Australia, their aesthetic balances minimalistic and luxurious, a quality that shines through in these low-heeled slingbacks. They’re the perfect juxtaposed heel: They feel modern but classic. They’re versatile, yet they can still be a statement piece, and the multiple straps adorned with buckles prove it. 

Best Budget

Minshluu Women’s High Heel Pumps

$51 at Amazon

Size: 5-11 | Material: Synthetic Rubber | Heel Height: 3.27 inches

A pointed-toe pump will never go out of style, which is why these heels are the ultimate investment. Not only are they budget-friendly, but they come in six different shades of nude. Plus, they feature that timeless silhouette with a twist—literally. The strappy design keeps your feet secured while cushioning and a wide toe box keeps your feet comfortable.

Best Designer

Toteme Leather Mules

$650 at Net-a-Porter

Size: 6-11 | Material: Cow Leather | Heel Height: 2.2 inches 

Stockholm-based Totêm is a quintessential Scandi-cool girl brand. Each of their pieces is understated and minimalistic but (in a similar vein to the nude heel itself) never feels boring. The proof is in this contemporary twist on the classic mule from the brand. Crafted from 100% cow leather and drawing its inspo from classic, vintage heels, this pair of clay-colored heels feature an architectural square toe and a subtly slanted heel and encompasses what the brand does so well—which is creating beautifully structured pieces with an ever-so-obvious fresh take. 

Best Range of Skin Tones

Nine West Arlene Pointy Toe Pumps

$65 at Amazon View on Ninewest.com

Size: 5-12 | Material: Leather | Heel Height: 2.48 inches

Nine West knows how to do nude heels right. And by that, we mean crafting a true skin-toned heel. With five shades of nude ranging from ivory to dark brown, it’s easier to find a shade that actually matches your skin tone. The kitten heel and pointed toe make for a timeless heel that you’ll pull out time and time again for cocktail parties to weddings and everything in between.

Best on Amazon

Marc Fisher Women’s Hadya Pump

View on Amazon

Size: 5-11 | Material: Patent Leather, Suede | Heel Height: 3.35 inches

With a martini-shaped stiletto (coming in at a 3.35-inch height), this pair of pumps from Marc Fisher can elevate your ‘fit in more ways than just one. These slingbacks should be your next pick if you’re looking for something with a little more stature than a kitten while remaining walkable. We especially love that these come in more skin tone-like colors than just light beige and are available in 16 colors total—if you want to snag this pair in a nude and a trendy red.

Best Comfortable

Margaux The Heel

View on Margauxny.com

Size: 3-14 | Material: Italian Suede | Heel Height: 2.5 inches

Margaux offers an impressive range of non-standard shoe widths—medium, narrow, wide—with a brag-worthy level of comfort, tailored to your specific needs. This style of block heels from the label comes in every size from 3 to 14 and in a variety of skin tone-like colors, from chestnut to a rosy beige. Plus, they feature a walkable 2.5-inch heel and plush foam padding, in case you were skeptical if comfortable heels actually existed.

Best Mules

Dolce Vita Lexy Heels

View on Dolcevita.com

Size: 5-13 | Material: Suede | Heel Height: 2 inches

Not only are they a beloved footwear label, but these pointy-toed mules from Dolce Vita are reminiscent of some of the most popular designer iterations of the shoe (hello, Khaite, anyone?) at a much more forgiving price. And even without being a luxury label, Dolce Vita dishes out some very luxe heels. Because of that subtle pop of silver hardware on the toe, these instantly polish any outfit, especially when they peak out under wide-leg jeans or trousers.

Best Patent

By Far Tanya Sandals

View on Byfar.com $198 at Shopbop.com

Size: 5-11  | Material: Calfskin Leather | Heel Height: 2.63 inches 

Chances are, you’ve shopped By Far for their embellished leather belts or structured bags, but don’t walk, run—literally—to their shoe section for an equally pleasing selection of closet essentials. These barely-there heels are made from patent calfskin leather and have a geometric block heel, making them a modern alternative to a classic beige pump. They also feature a slanted, square toe and two thin straps, which feel straight out of all your summer sandal dreams. 

Best Platform

Aerosoles Camera Platform Sandal

$99 at Nordstrom $135 at Dsw.com View on Aerosoles.com

Size: 5-13 | Material: Leather | Heel Height: 3 inches

Aerosoles are making comfort cool again. Scratch that. Aresoles has been making comfort cool for over three decades. So, it’s no surprise that these chic yet functional sandals are one of their best-sellers. They come in various nude colors, from sand to cognac, and have a funky feel, with a flex outsole for the utmost ease of wear. So you could say these platform heels have got your back (or rather, your feet). Plus, every pair comes with chunky gold buckle that adds extra oomph. 

Best Kitten Heel

SARTO by Franco Sarto Devin Kitten Heel Slingback Pump

$140 at Amazon $100 at Nordstrom $140 at Zappos

Size: 5-11  | Material: Synthetic Leather | Heel Height: 1.75 inches

Eva Thomas, a fashion editor at InStyle, recommends Franco Sarto’s kitten heels because she’s “never worn anything so comfortable.” She notes that these heels are cushy, calling them unlike anything she’s felt while wearing heels before. “Let’s just say, it was love at first wear.” That love-at-first-wear-feeling could be due to the built-in ergonomic insoles with pillow-like padding, but also could be due to their extended sizing and their perfectly roomy footbed—a huge feat for a pointed-toe pump. 

Best Stiletto

Kahmune Becky Pump

View on Kahmune.com

Size: 5-13 | Material: Glove Leather | Heel Height: 4.33 inches

Kahmune (pronounced like "commune") was created by founder Jamela Acheampong out of frustration with the lack of inclusion in the skin tone product category. Enter the solution: 10 different shades of nude, matched to the leading makeup foundation shades, in this one stiletto. Coming in at over 4 inches, this is one staggering stiletto but it offers two layers of memory foam in addition to being crafted from high quality nappa leather. Be sure to first check out the site’s shade finder guide—you can also order swatches to try at home. 

Best for Work

Steve Madden Cherish Heels

$32 at Amazon View on Stevemadden.com View on Dsw.com

Size: 5-12 | Material: Synthetic Leather | Heel Height: 1.25 inches

Think of the comfort that comes with a work flat or a block heel—now combine them. That’s what you get when you glide into these ballet-inspired heels. They have an on-trend retro feel, with a 1.25-inch height and a rounded, roomy toe that makes them comfortable to sport, which is a tough feat for a heel. These are the type of shoes you can galavant around the office all day without having to bring extra shoes in your work bag. 

Best Pump

Tory Burch Cut Out Kitten Heel Pump

View on Toryburch.com

Size: 5-11 | Material: Patent Leather | Heel Height: 1.77 inches

If you haven’t been keeping up with this female-led label that dominated the early 2010s, you might be thinking, “That’s Tory Burch?” A once-known-as preppy label has done what feels like a 180. The label is no longer only associated with cardigans and logo-adorned flip-flops. Featuring an angled kitten heel and a striking cut-out detail, these shoes are the type that makes you confidently conclude, "Tory Burch is cool again." And that's not a question mark at the end—it's a bold period.

Best Strappy

Jeffrey Campbell Fluxx Sandal

$130 at Nordstrom $130 at Anthropologie

Size: 5-12 | Material: Synthetic Leather | Heel Height: 3 inches

A slinky, strappy sandal for summer is always a good idea. These are from the beloved label Jeffrey Campbell and feature a not-too-square toe, a tiny ankle fastening, and delicate weaving straps leading up to a 3-inch heel. Call it the slip dress equivalent to a shoe—it’s sultry, lightweight, and something you’d want to dance in all night.

Best Slingback

Sam Edelman Bianka Slingback Pump

$98 at Nordstrom View on Samedelman.com $140 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Size: 5-14 | Material: Synthetic Leather | Heel Height: 2.4 inches

For those searching for a plain-jane slingback, enter the Sam Edelman pump. A tiny but firm strap accentuates these slap-the-ground slingbacks. Plus, they come in various shades and finishes from raffia to patent leather. They’re easy to pair with plenty of outfits and walk in. 

Best Block Heel

Larroude Gio Sandal

View on Larroude.com $315 at Revolve $175 at Bloomingdales

Size: 5-13 | Material: Leather | Heel Height: 2.4 inches

Larroudé has been making some of the comfiest shoes around, and it's no secret. Your favorite influencers like Alix Earle have been seen touting a pair. What we love about this heel is that it combines a block heel and straps, meaning you won't sink in the grass or slip. And did we mention there's memory foam?

Best Low Heel

Schutz Dethalia Leather Sandal

View on Schutz-shoes.com

Size: 5-11 | Material: Nappa Leather | Heel Height: 2.3 inches

These smile-shaped mules dip ever-so-slightly to give a peek out of your favorite pair of jeans or give you some extra height in your favorite going-out dress. They’re comfortable, versatile, and made from a smooth leather that holds up with wear. This is a shoe that proves practical is never passé, especially because of the square-toed heel and the stiletto-style heel that keep this pair of heels exciting.

Best Sandal

Simkhai Love Knot Sandal

View on Simkhai.com

Size: 5-11 | Material: Cow Leather | Heel Height: 2.5 inches

These are knot your typical nude sandals. Enwrapped in a twisty, labyrinth-like strap, adorned with a statement gold, gleaming knot embellishment, I mean, can you get more luxe than that? These are the perfect pair to match with a tiny dainty skirt on vacation—or, at least, that’s how we’d style these square-toed sandals by beloved brand Simkhai. 

Best Bootie

Alohas Watercolor Ankle Boots

View on Alohas.com

Size: 5-14  | Material: Vegan Leather | Heel Height: 2.5 inches

What Alohas does extremely well is creating vegan leather footwear, like these square-toed boots from the label. Not only is the quality exceptional, but they strike that perfect balance between an understated and a statement piece. They’re minimalist but can tie together any outfit. They’re polished, classic, and structured, but will for sure earn you a “Where did you get those?” when you wear ‘em out. 

Best Embellishments

Dolce Vita x For Love & Lemons Claire Heels

View on Dolcevita.com

Size: 5-13 | Material: Rubber | Heel Height: 2 inches

To the arguer who insists beige is always boring, may we present you this Dolce Vita x For Love & Lemons collaboration? These heels are decadently romantic, vintage-inspired, and adorned with beaded pink rosettes. The embellishments aren’t overwhelming, but add that certain je ne sais quoi to this low-heeled, mesh mule. Let this pair of hyper-feminine mules from the limited-edition collection be your next pick if you're all in on the coquette trend.

What to Look For in Nude Heels

• Heel height: When looking for the ideal nude shoe to sport, choose a height that suits your comfort level and occasion, from low to high. If you’re looking for a walkable heel, opt for a smaller heel, like a block style or a kitten. Want to make more of a statement? Go for a 3-inch heel or higher, typically considered a stiletto—you know, that martini-shaped, sky-high-shaped heel. 
• Material: If you’re looking for a quality material, go for true leather, which is generally more durable. The general rule of thumb is that synthetic leather will not last as long as true leather but requires less upkeep. Plenty of heel brands also have plant-based, vegan leather options as well.
• Tone: When selecting a nude shade that complements your skin tone or looking for a heel that will give a leg-lengthening effect, choose the closest shade to your skin tone. Check shade-inclusive designers (like those on this list!) online, but if you want the truest match, test in-person so you can see the shade against your skin to see which one blends in best.
  

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Morgan Sullivan has over half a decade of experience in the beauty and fashion industry, writing for some of the most prominent magazines and websites. Along with writing about beauty, she also frequently covers relationship, wellness, and lifestyle topics. She interviewed the experts below to help her uncover the best nude heels to buy now: 

Contributing writer Jessie Quinn has a bachelor’s degree in fashion journalism. As far as shoes are concerned, Quinn is all about comfort, so she does her due diligence to find heels that boast a ton of comfort without sacrificing style. When researching the best nude heels, Quinn used her fashion experience and personal criteria to source a range of styles that look as great as they feel when on your soles. 

• Eva Thomas, a fashion editor at InStyle 
• Gabbi Maragos, wardrobe stylist

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough nude heels from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.