Women will appear in buff this spring

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Like white, it's almost a non-color. It can be compared to shell, face powders and certain shades of hosiery.
In the 1980s upscale department stores painted their walls in similar shades because market research showed it flattered many consumers' skin tones and comforted their psyches.
These days it ranks over the top with the fashion pundits who have dubbed the hue "buff' or "nude."
It appeared in spring collections from the likes of Calvin Klein, Christian Dior, J. Mendel, Shelly Steffee and other European designers. Kate Betts at Time magazine says it "is the new black."
On its Web site, Style.com, Vogue magazine lists buff among the top 10 stylish things you should have this spring. And it will likely emerge in sweeping chiffon gowns on the red-carpet as the awards season goes forward.
Leatrice Eiseman, a Pantone color consultant and author, sees a reason for its strength. Like white, she says, it clears the color palette, causing pause as the fashion industry shifts out of brights into another direction.
"It has an inherent warmth. It's a quieting color," fitting well into the soothing palette.
It can also be flattering for certain skin tones. And it can be especially sensuous when worn in head-to-toe monochromatic pieces or lingerie.