Nude underwear might not be the most glamorous piece of lingerie out there, but for many of us it can make us feel far more comfortable and confident in our clothes.
However for people of colour, it can often be difficult to find nude sets that match their skin tones.
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Marisse Gaskell, a British-Filipina yoga teacher from London, explains, ‘I’ve never bought nude underwear before because I’ve never seen it in my skin tone, so I’ve just accepted I can’t buy it.’
Fortunately things are changing. More inclusive brands that cater to a wide variety of skin tones are emerging, while some of the better-known lingerie brands have finally got the memo.
The introduction of brands such as Savage x Fenty, an affordable underwear label from Rihanna, and Nubian Skin, born from the frustration of not being able to find nude ballet tights for black skin, set a precedent.
Kim Kardashian’s underwear label Skims also prides itself on catering for all skin types, while even Missguided now offers underwear in a wide range of shades. Luckily, many of these are size inclusive too, meaning that we’re edging towards a much more accessible industry.
Here are 6 of the most popular and accessible places to buy nude lingerie.
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Savage x Fenty
Core Microfibre Bralette, from £19 – buy now
Rihanna’s make-up and skincare Fenty Beauty offers foundations in 50 shades, so you can expect a similar level of inclusivity from the singer’s lingerie label, Savage x Fenty.
While it doesn’t boast quite so many different shades of nude underwear, it’s broader than most, with sizes ranging from XS to 4XL. The brand also understands that every person who wears lingerie wants to feel good, so they offer a selection of sexy lace, mesh and lace-up sets, as well as crotchless knickers, bodysuits and corsets.
M&S
Flexifit™ Non Wired Crop Top, £20 – buy now
Marks & Spencer offers a selection of lingerie basics, including non-wired crop tops, underwired, T-shirt, silk and lace bras, as well as no VPL knickers, briefs, high leg, and many more bottoms in a variety of tones. Plus, the high street hero has a selection of anti-chafe shorts for the warmer months.
Their sizes run up to 42E in bras and UK 28 in bottoms, so most people looking for lingerie should find something that works for them.
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Skims
Wireless Form T-Shirt Demi Bra, £48 – buy now
Shine Foundations Thong, £18 – buy now
Kim Kardashian’s eponymous shapewear, underwear and loungewear brand offers a Fits Everybody collection, with pieces available in 13 hues, from Sand to Onyx. While it’s not as affordable as some other inclusive lingerie lines, the quality is undeniable. Skims is innovative too, offering pieces that stretch to twice its size and shapewear solutions you never knew you needed.
Similarly to Savage x Fenty, Skims is size inclusive too, with bottoms, shapewear and lingerie available up to size 4XL and bras up to 40DDD. With Kim Kardashian as the face of the brand, it’s difficult not to be convinced.
Nubian Skin
Naked T-Shirt Bra – Berry, £59, up to size 40F – buy now
Naked G-String, £15 – buy now
Ade Hassan launched Nubian Skin in 2014 after becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of hosiery available in her skin tone. Hassan quickly made a name for the brand after being tweeted about by Kerry Washington, and now boasts Beyoncé, Lizzo and Thandie Newton as fans.
The brand is specifically catered to People of Colour and offers every piece in four skin tones, Cinnamon, Caramel, Cafe au Lait and Berry. It also offers a handy skin tone guide for those unsure about which shade of lingerie to buy, which uses well-known make-up shades to work it out.
Nubian Skin bras are available from 30-40 back sizes and from a B-G cup, while bottoms are available from XS to XXL.
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Missguided
Say what you want about Missguided, but it’s making waves when it comes to diversity. Last year, it launched its However You Nude campaign, featuring loungewear, shapewear and underwear in eight hues, and with sizes ranging from 4 to 24.
Not only that, but of course as a fast fashion brand, it’s also affordable. The nude triangle bra comes in at just £12, while thongs are just £6.
However right now, the brand doesn’t offer any nude lingerie at all…
