Inspiration in the color nude.
Learn the history and meaning of the color nude, a neutral that has been redefined and set free.
What is the meaning of the color nude?
Nude color has had extensive use since before it had a name. This neutral is naturally occurring and easy on the eyes. The name “nude” raised questions, though, once society stepped back and asked: if nude color is “flesh-tone,” whose flesh are we talking about? In fashion, the color nude is now fluid and includes all skin tones. In design, nude color still follows a specific hex code. Instead of considering it “flesh-toned,” nude color is now considered a “naked” shade of brown.
The color nude is a subtle and transparent brown. It’s a functional neutral with a warmth that makes it timeless.
The history of nude.
In English, the color nude was a metaphor of a metaphor.
The word nude was first documented in English in the 1530s as a legal term meaning “unsupported” or “not formally attested.” It evolved into a term used for anything plain or simple by the 1550s. Using this “unsupported” word to describe a naked human body was a euphemism first documented in 1610. The color nude alluded to the naked human body, but only figuratively: it’s the color that mimics someone (Caucasian) unclothed.
The color nude once only referred to undergarments.
After centuries of limited use, nude color boomed in popularity with women’s underwear in the 1920s and 1930s. Departing from the bright white underthings of the Victorian era, the color nude could be worn under more daring dresses without the risk of showing through — as long as the nude color was close to the wearer’s skin tone. At this time, the color nude was narrowly defined by a skin color associated with Caucasians of European descent.
Darker than champagne, lighter than sand, and utterly inadequate.
Considering the color nude “flesh-colored” was finally called into serious question in the 2000s. One famous example was in 2010. Michelle Obama, at the time the First Lady of the United States, wore a gown that was described as nude color by fashion writers. The nude color of the dress, however, was not skin-toned for Mrs. Obama. The following debate forever redefined what was called “nude color” in fashion.
The color nude across different cultures.
The state of the color nude in design.
In fashion, the color nude now makes reference to the skin tone of the person wearing it. In design, television, and décor, the color nude has been redefined as a “naked” brown. It’s the brown that’s nude. It’s not a skin tone. Light brown is stripped down to its most modest shade, and the result is the color nude, a muted neutral useful as a base in many popular color palettes.
Nude color was all the rage in the 2010s.
Fashion and interior design magazines of the 2010s touted the color nude as a dominant influence. The color nude varied from off-white to pale rose and even soft gold. With the diversity of the shades of nude color on the scene, though, the color nude was always on the warmer side of light brown.
In psychology, the color nude has strong associations.
Exploring the use of nude color in design, the exact shade of “naked” brown that’s called nude has a special psychology to it. The color nude is plain and simple. It suggests warmth. The color nude is known to have a comforting or relaxing effect. Nude color can also suggest conventional thinking or a focus on collaboration or care for others.
How to use the color nude.
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The color nude combined with textures.
The color nude can be given a totally new personality by adding textures. The warmth that nude color brings can be combined with the visual intrigue of a texture laid over nude color elements.
Nude color can be a base or an accent.
Just like many other neutrals, the color nude can be a beautiful and calming base for a project. Used in work with lots of darker colors, nude can be a soothing accent instead.
Combine nude with other colors.
The nude color used in design can be combined easily with almost any color. Nude pairs with olive or other greens for a look of sustainability. Next to bronze or warm metallic-hues, or even caramel, nude invites greater warmth. Combined with dark browns, the color nude offers natural contrast.
The color nude in fashion and beauty.
Nude color, when referring to a warm tone that matches the skin color of a wearer, is a staple of beauty and fashion. The look that a nude color provides is sophisticated but modest.
Information about nude color.
The nude HEX code picker is #E3BC9A. This is the “naked brown” sort of nude, a neutral known for its calming and approachable feel.
The color nude can be achieved in a RGB space with 227 red, 188 green, and 154 blue. Nude color can be achieved in a CMYK color space with 11% cyan, 27% magenta, 40% yellow, and 0% black.