If there’s one look that has continued to take the footwear fashion world by storm it’s the fabulously understated but uber glamorous, nude patent shoe. Upper Street have now added this ever popular tone to it’s extensive range of patent colour ways.

Not only does this shiny shoe shade make your legs appear to go on endlessly, but it completely wipes out the “Which shoes do I wear with this?” dilemma. Why else do you think so many celebrities have cottoned onto this trend when it first gained a foothold and are continuing to hold on tight to it?

Fashion world darling and latest Chanel muse, Blake Lively proves that the nude heel goes with everything….

… and sworn devotee Victoria Beckham is rarely seen without her vast wardrobe of nude and blush patent heels.

Whether you choose to opt for a classic or statement design, you’re guaranteed a satisfactory return on your cost per wear calculation… not that footwear this fabulous ever needs much justification as far as we’re concerned!

Nude Patent Platform Courts With Ankle Strap and Nude Patent Strappy Sandals

This delectable shade is also the perfect foil to a contrasting colour as shown by these platform courts with a chocolate suede buckle designed by television producer Danielle Graeme. Read about the inspiration behind her design and how she came to fall in love with the colour here.

Nude Patent Platform Buckle Courts

Slip into this trend by picking up some tips in our Guide to designing your own Neutral Upper Street shoes with our feature that showcases some inspired designs that maximize this this gorgeous new Upper Street shade to it’s full, glossy potential. And browse our Neutrals Gallery for even more fabulous design ideas.

Upper Street - the made-to-order luxury shoe label where you can design your own individual shoes and have them delivered right to your door.

Danielle Graeme is a television producer, who lives in North London with husband Jonathan and two children Ruby, 7 and Oscar, 5. Danielle designed her Upper Street shoes at a private shoe design party that she hosted. Her style is funky and bold, so read on to find out more about Danielle and the beautiful Nude Patent shoes she designed….

How would you describe your personal style?
I love clothes but I’m not a slave to fashion. I know what does and doesn’t suit me so I embraced the maxi dress trend but wouldn’t be seen dead in a onesie. I occasionally splash out on a designer item but more often that not I shop in the holy trinity of Whistles, Top Shop and Zara. On the school run I’m usually wearing jeans and Converse trainers or chunky brown boots with a Cuban heel (which I got from a vintage shop in Notting Hill and have had about five years. They have been ‘rebuilt’ more times than I care to remember because I can’t bear to part with them. The more battered they get, the more I love them). I do love a good excuse to dress up though, and can  be quite daring in the evening -  I have a lot of very dressy clothes at the back of my wardrobe.

What’s your relationship with shoes?
I wouldn’t class myself as a shoe obsessive but I do own around twenty pairs. I can be quite impulsive so I own one particular pair of peep-toe suede sandals with a three inch heel in three different colours – black, fushcia and metallic – they are still a staple for weddings and posh parties. I have quite a few pairs of high heels but I usually tend to err towards the chunky heel as I hate to be uncomfortable. I have a pair of the shoes that Pierre Hardy designed for Gap – brown with platform wooden soles – which I love because as well as adding a funkiness to any outfit they are actually really comfortable. I also live in a pair of black suede wedged boots from Office which, teamed with black skinny jeans, give me height and elongate my legs whilst also being easy to walk in. I learned my lesson about buying too many spiky heels after I spent a lot of money on some Gina sandals that I barely wear because I can hardly walk in them. I love them though – they are silver, strappy, sparkly and very high so If I can get a cab to where I ‘m going and can guarantee that I’ll be sitting down when I get there (i.e. at dinner) I’ll still wear them! They instantly dress up jeans for a night out.

Nude patent buckle platform courts

What was your design inspiration for your Upper Street shoes?

I don’t think I would ever have thought of designing some shoes in ‘nude’ if I hadn’t seen a pair of patent ones in that colour at a shoe party I hosted. I was surprised at how much I liked the shade when I tried them on but I felt the shoe needed funking up. Adding a chocolate suede buckle actually gave them a Mad Men vibe and the contrasting fabrics and complementary colours really helped make them feel unique. The platform helps to push your foot forward and makes walking easier so, although they are really high, I’m not intimidated by them.

What did you think when you opened your parcel from Upper Street?
I was very excited when I received my shoes as the packaging is exquisite.. They come in a gorgeous black box with a pink bow and oodles of tissue paper.  There is a beautiful black shoe bag in crushed velvet for you to store them in. The whole effect is very girly and beautiful and it’s impossible not to feel a bit Audrey Hepburn (breathless and excited) when you receive them.

What did your friends have to say about your shoes?
Most of my friends had a hand in designing the shoes as they were at my shoe party so they loved them. I took them to show a friend I was having dinner with in Soho and a gaggle of women on the next table all came over to admire them. I haven’t had a chance to wear them yet but if that reaction is anything to go by I’m optimistic that they’ll be universally admired.

So will we be seeing you at Upper Street again soon?
I would definitely shop with Upper Street again. The whole experience of designing the shoes was really good fun and at the end of the day I have a unique, self-designed pair of shoes. I wish it had been around when I got married.

Upper Street - the made-to-order luxury shoe label where you can design your own individual shoes and have them delivered right to your door.