What does "a naked feeling" sound to you?
I don't think it is a natural collocation, but it can sound somewhat positive.
"Naked" is an adjective used to describe the state of being exposed, without clothes, the usual covering, protection, leaves... etc.
Also, it is used to refer to a sort of feelings or behavior, "expressed openly, undisguised," a usage with a rather positive and favourable implication.
"Naked" has its origin in Old English, a native language of English belonging to Germanic roots. In Old English, the spelling was "nacod." (Some might think of "nude," which has its different root, Latin. Germanic and Latin are in a different language category, but ultimately stretching back to the same root, an "Indo-European" family)
A look at the Middle English Dictionary attests to an interesting usage. This dictionary covers the lexicons that appear in the works of the so-called "Middle English" period (approximately 1100~1500).
The definition of section 3 is worth an attention.
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3. (a) Of ground: without fresh vegetation, barren; also, not covered (as with a carpet or blanket); of autumn: devoid of green vegetation, sere; of trees: not covered with leaves, leafless; ~ of leves, stripped of leaves; (b) not covered with tissue or flesh, bare; (c) stripped of sails and rigging; (d) stripped of ornament; despoiled, stripped of possessions; (e) of the heart: lacking human affection, unfeeling.
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The sense of (a)(b)(c)(d) can be expected, but (e) "of the heart: lacking human affection, unfeeling" is interesting because it stands in a stark opposition to the sense the word carries today.
What on earth has happened!?
The language is a creature, so that form, meaning, implication all change over time. I think there must have been a cultural change of perception towards "nakedness" which caused the shift in the meaning.
Finally,
Let me say that this blog's title "Barefooted Philologist" is in fact inspired by "The Naked Philologist." (https://nakedphilologist.wordpress.com/)
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