In winter, we New Yorkers wear black, black, and more black. Of course, when summer comes, we panic, because black seems too heavy all of a sudden, but god forbid we should wear color. There's white, of course, but it gets dirty really quickly and ends up being rather high-maintenance. Enter nude, which was all over the spring runways. It's a neutral that's light enough for warm weather but much more forgiving in terms of care and flattering one's skin tone. I am focusing on tops, because they're daring without having the "Oh my god, is she naked?" effect that wearing an entire nude dress might have.
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I like this Thakoon slouchy pullover because of its peachy hue and blousy, peasant-top fit. The asymmetrical yoke gives it a nice shape, too.
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This Stella McCartney cardigan is totally a "wear now" piece. While it looks kind of buttoned up, the positioning of the buttons allows you to show a little skin, or a peek of a lace-trimmed camisole, for example.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Cht6XMR8jqQ/SeVVGKiwW-I/AAAAAAAACPA/ONqL58itufI/s400/Picture+3.png)
On the other end of the spectrum in terms of sexiness is this sequined tank, also by Stella McCartney: It's sheer, and it's sparkly, and it's totally sexy. Obviously, you'll want to layer this over another tank top, but it will still achieve a total effect of nakedness. (In a sophisticated way, of course--this is Stella we're talking about.)
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Cht6XMR8jqQ/SeVU-X6twZI/AAAAAAAACO4/C6Xn2eeHgzQ/s400/219690ST3055735_990.jpg)
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Similar to the Thakoon top above, this Peter Jensen Blouse has some volume to make it more interesting; since the sleeves are so exaggerated in shape, it helps that they're completely sheer, so that you can see your actual arm underneath all that fabric.
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If wearing all nude fabric seems a bit intimidating to you, you can cheat a little with this Adam top. The metal discs add some embellishment, but since they're all similar in tone, it doesn't distract from the neutral color.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Cht6XMR8jqQ/Sefi_lsmEpI/AAAAAAAACPQ/4FHdvIrL0UE/s400/Picture+5.png)
La Garconne showed this ruffled Vanessa Bruno top in an email, and that was enough to make me click through. That seemed to have worked for a bunch of people, because, in spite of its $462 price tag, it almost sold out instantly (there's still a size 42 left). I love the cascading ruffle--it's feminine without being too girly, and it's placed perfectly so it doesn't add any bulk. Lovely tops like this are the reason Vanessa Bruno has such a devoted following.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Cht6XMR8jqQ/SefjHgw5KLI/AAAAAAAACPY/0-oqlU5kBCQ/s400/Picture+6.png)
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This Haute Hippie Tee has the loose, relaxed look of a lot of the other tops featured thus far, but it's cotton, which makes it a lot more casual than, say, silk chiffon. But the loose fit is key, so it's obvious that you aren't, you know, naked.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Cht6XMR8jqQ/SefnP00oQBI/AAAAAAAACPw/-ZGAtJrEiCg/s400/haute2004111231_prod_medium_v1_m56577569831342126.jpg)
This cardigan from Forever 21 is great for layering over other tops, if you don't want to go for a totally bare look, but it has sheer chiffon insets that convey the idea in a more subtle way.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Cht6XMR8jqQ/SefnDAnzgiI/AAAAAAAACPg/N1P7KwBsD3k/s400/58243381-01.jpg)
The thing I love about Forever 21 is amidst all the totally cheap polyester crap, every once in awhile you'll find something gorgeous. Take, for example, this lace-trim top. It's silk, with a pretty bow at the neck and delicate black lace. It looks very French and much more expensive than its $32 price tag.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Cht6XMR8jqQ/SefnIiuoGPI/AAAAAAAACPo/U3tgs9frp2Y/s400/58482934-01.jpg)
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