This underrated brand makes nude shoes that cater to all skin tones — and they're actually comfortable

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

• Nude shoes are usually made in a tight range of shades that only match lighter skin tones.
• When she couldn't find shoes nude to her, Rebecca Allen left a finance career to create her own.
• The line launched with the New Pump ($165), Two Strap Sandal ($178), and Skim ($150).

Imagine a pale peach color being the only foundation shade for everyone. That would be ridiculous, yet that's historically been the reality with "nude" shoes. Now, Rebecca Allen's inclusive nude footwear is changing the game.

While working in finance, Allen realized nude shoes only catered to light skin tones. When she left her corporate role, she was determined to create a luxury shoe brand for an overlooked segment of shoe shoppers.

While the shoes cater to all skin tones, they were created while "holding Black women and women of color at the heart of a conversation in a way that I felt like I really had never seen represented before, in footwear," Allen said.

The Rebecca Allen label launched in 2018 but gained more recognition during 2020 via initiatives to uplift Black businesses. In May 2021, the brand entered its first retail partnership with Nordstrom. 

The current collection is a glossy trio of shoes made to meet customers at every point in their life, whether they're going to work, going out, or going to get groceries. 

After wearing them myself, I can say they're elegant, comfortable, color-inclusive, and very underrated. Here's why I think you should try them too.

My review of Rebecca Allen shoes:

The New Pump, $165

When you try on a heel and take a couple steps, you can almost instantly tell how the shoe fits, whether it's tight, loose, comfy, or impossible to walk in. (Try on a So Kate 120mm by Christian Louboutin and you'll know what I mean.)

My foot glided into the New Pump. As I took my first steps, I was in a satisfied shock. The shoe feels as good as it looks because Allen designed it that way. The 3.5-inch heel is built with a thickness to give your feet more support than something pencil-thin. 

Besides comfort, the New Pump is made with an almond toe as a sort of compromise between a round and pointy toe. Between its elegance and comfort, I plan on keeping this in my closet for a long time.

The Two Strap Sandal, $178

I don't usually wear strappy, open-toed shoes because they tend to scramble my pinky toe or let it embarrassingly pop out completely. The Two Strap Sandal, however, gave me (and my toes) no grief.

The 4-inch heel is thinner than the Pump, which makes these a better pick for evening shoes. The thinner heel helps achieve a sexy look while still being a walkable shoe. In fact, this pair was designed to make you look good in pictures. 

When Allen was designing these, she kept in mind how ashy ankles can ruin a good photo. The back of the Two Strap Sandal is built just a bit higher to give your ankles more coverage. Whether they're ashy or scarred from blisters, these heels keep that information for your eyes only.

The Skim, $150

This is the ultimate flat. Its pointy toe, soft clack, and brilliant shine make it the right shoe for almost any occasion: The pointy toe and sound make it feel authoritative at the office, the shine makes it a standout in brunch photos, and its comfort level makes it an easy pick to throw on while running errands.

Overall, I found the Skim to be versatile while being stylish and comfortable. It's more structured than a ballet flat but still seamless to slip on. As much as I enjoyed The Skim, though, I got a blister (strangely enough) on just one ankle. Ultimately, this is a sizing issue that went away when I tried a half-size lower.

Cons to consider

I can't think of any cons besides the ankle blister issue I had with the Skim. For me, the main issue is that there are only three available styles of Rebecca Allen shoes.

The bottom line

I found Rebecca Allen shoes to be very comfortable and they look amazing with just about everything. Oftentimes versatility means sacrificing style, but these shoes don't compromise. Plus, the patent leather design makes them water-, stain-, and scuff-resistant, and I especially love that each pair comes with a dustbag!

As a leader in inclusive-nude shoes, Rebecca Allen is uniquely positioned to build timeless and stylish shoes for a wide fan base, especially for previously overlooked customers. Whether nude shoes were always too light for you or you want to try one of the five shades, there's something for everyone to appreciate with Rebecca Allen.