Toe cleavage

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Toe cleavage

— by Angie

on June 16, 2008

I have friends and clients that won’t purchase shoes if they show “toe cleavage”. This happens often when you have long toes and bony feet. I have both (Greg likes to say that I have little fingers on my feet).

I for one don’t think it looks unattractive. When you have fussy feet, showing a little more of your toes in closed shoes is the least of your concerns. Would you let toe cleavage get between you and a great pair of shoes?

Most of my shoes reveal some degree of toe cleavage.

Body Type · Footwear

51 comments · Add a comment

Nicole

While I don’t care for toe cleavage, I wouldn’t rule out a pair of shoes that were perfect in every other way because they had toe cleavage. BUT….there is a limit as to how much toe cleavage is too much. Some of those casual canvas sneakerish shoes have a very low toe vamp and they barely cover the ends of the toes. That just looks silly to me.

June 16, 2008 at 7:01 am

redhead

I’d rather see someones toes than someones butt…

June 16, 2008 at 7:05 am

Tanya

I actually prefer to show some toe cleavage since I have short legs and and am under impression that the lower the vamp the longer my legs will look. But i’m fine without too.

Lovely shoes Angie btw! I especially like the pointy white pair!

June 16, 2008 at 7:06 am

Vanessa Ridley

(website)

I think it makes feet look feminine and your legs look longer depending on how much you are showing. I don’t think I would let it get between me and a great pair of shoes, but I have to admit it feels a bit awkward when I try on a pair that doesn’t quite cover my toe cleavage.

June 16, 2008 at 7:12 am

shiny

Toe cleavage is sexy!

Some of my shoes have it, some don’t. I choose mostly based on comfort, not on toe cleavage. But, I’m with Tanya – the lower the vamp, the longer the legs look.

June 16, 2008 at 7:15 am

Wendygrrl

I like both looks….depends on the ocassion…and the dress {;o)

June 16, 2008 at 7:19 am

Joey

Cute piggies! No trouble whatever with toe clevage here.

June 16, 2008 at 7:24 am

Wendy

(website)

I think a little toe cleavage is just fine!

June 16, 2008 at 7:24 am

Lannie

I don’t mind toe cleavage at all. I have a pair of red flats that show it, and other people seemed to think that was bad, but I don’t care. My toes are a little long, so what?
By the way Angie, all of those shoes are so cute.

June 16, 2008 at 7:27 am

Rachel

I think it often looks a bit odd, like the shoes don’t fit properly, but that will depend on the shoe. There are bigger things to worry about!

June 16, 2008 at 7:33 am

Kasmira

(website)

I don’t give toe cleavage a thought. In fact, I didn’t realize that some people prefer not to show (or see) it.

There are a number of toe cleavage fetishists out there, though, so you might attract the notice of creepy men on the street (or flickr).

I have monkey toes, too.

June 16, 2008 at 7:34 am

Adiel

(website)

Toe cleavage has never bother me. I think its a great variation in the looks of footwear.

June 16, 2008 at 7:35 am

Heather

Where did you get the pointy-toed white shoes? They are great.

June 16, 2008 at 7:57 am

Tatjana

Your post made me realize that almost all of my shoes show a bit of toe cleavage. Discovery!

What bugs me is when ladies wear sandals and their toes are hanging out (touch the pavement anyone?) Now that’s painful and not very pretty.

June 16, 2008 at 8:37 am

Sal

(website)

I’ve never understood why toe cleavage bothered anyone. We show our toes in their entirety every time we wear actual sandals, so what’s scandalous about a hint of toe? Is it because it resembles the other kind of cleavage? If so, someone is overthinking …

I’d never pass up a pair that show a little toe. I find toe cleavage neither scandalous nor unattractive.

June 16, 2008 at 8:49 am

Lovelee_79

I never noticed toe cleavage until people started making such a big deal about it. Maybe because I don’t have issues with my feet (I don’t like feet, but would prefer to have the ones I do over some others I’ve seen…) But I have lots of shoes, both flats and heels, that show some toe and I guess if I had to pick a side, I’d have to say that I like it.

But I really don’t see what the big deal is….

June 16, 2008 at 9:00 am

Antje

I think toe cleavage is kinda cute, and agree with Tanya that the lower the vamp the more flattering the shoe is in general (for those of us on the shorter side at least.)
Great pics, Angie. Are you giving us license to post such fun pictures of our favorite shoes, toe cleavage or not??

June 16, 2008 at 9:10 am

Rosie

I love toe cleavage! I actually have really short toes, so I agree with Tanya and Antje about the lengthening effect. Not all of my shoes have it, but I do think that it adds a hint of sexiness to certain pairs. Some people think the amount should be limited to two toes, max, but personally I am always just happy I’ve got any with my little stubbies!

June 16, 2008 at 9:38 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thank you redhead, Joey and Kasmira for making me laugh this morning.

Tanya, Shiny, Lannie and Antje, I’m in your camp. Lower shoe vamps are flattering and elongate the leg. (And thanks for the compliments ladies). Antje my dear, you have license to post whatever tickles your fancy. I’m sure the ladies would enjoy seeing your precious peds.

“What’s the big deal….”, is an American expression that cracks me up.

June 16, 2008 at 9:42 am

Julia

I’m a converted toe cleavager. I didn’t even know there was such a term until I read it on this site. I used to think that it’s not appropriate to show it but once I learned it is OK I’m all for it. I need the elongating effect.

By the way, love your shoes Angie!

June 16, 2008 at 9:52 am

Meg

(website)

I’m also a convert, but there is a limit. Like real cleavage, it’s usually best to leave it at a peak. The photos above show as much toe cleavage as I would feel comfortable with and most of my shoes show less. In fact, sometimes I have to pass on shoes because they go too far up my foot and pinch, making my feet look really bloated. Not a good look.

June 16, 2008 at 10:21 am

Maya

I am one of those people that hates toe cleavage. I’m not daft enough to rule out a pair of shoes if they’re perfect in every other way, but I find it unattractive. It looks like you bought your shoes in the wrong size, and makes your toes look long and wormy. I can handle a little bit of TC like in the pictures you posted, but I don’t think it adds anything. The kind I really can’t stand are those shoes that just skim around your toenails. That just looks disgusting to me. It makes the foot look deformed, especially because you can clearly see how distorted your toes have to be in order to fit into the shoe…particularly pointy shoes.

The idea of sexualizing feet just plain grosses me out. I am not a foot person at all. The less of your foot I have to see, the better. Other than the comfort factor, I’ll take boots over sandals any day of the week from an aesthetic standpoint.

June 16, 2008 at 10:36 am

Renee

Sometimes it can’t be helped, like you said. If you have long toes and bony feet, many times it is unavoidable.

June 16, 2008 at 11:04 am

Joelle

Toe cleavage is an issue I have never even thought about until I read this post! I have long toes as well, so I would guess some of my lower vamp ballet flats or dress pumps do show a little TC. Since it’s not something I’ve noticed it doesn’t bother me.

June 16, 2008 at 11:21 am

nicoleb

Toe cleavage would never stop me from buying a pair of shoes i loved. But i do have some friends who hate it. And those are the same people who love wearing sandals so….what’s the big deal?

June 16, 2008 at 11:28 am

Patience

Toe cleavage is a term that is relatively new to me. For me it really depends on the shoe but generally I like it (more with flats than with pumps for some reason). I think your eye is either adjusted or it’s not. I also don’t at all associate TC with sexiness.

June 16, 2008 at 1:04 pm

Inge

I’m still getting used to it on myself (for some reason I never had shoes with much toe cleavage in the past), but I don’t really mind it at all. And those white patterned shoes on the right are adorable Angie (are they Campers).

June 16, 2008 at 1:14 pm

Therese

I absolutely cannot bear wearing sheos without some form of covering — socks, stockings, hose, etc. As such, I rarely see “toe cleavage” (even with long toes and bony feet) and it therefore does not bother me.

What does bother me is when I see toe cleavage on another woman as a result of wearing a shoe that is painfully too small for her (sadly a common thing here in China, though less so in Hong Kong).

June 16, 2008 at 4:22 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A few allergic reactions to toe cleavage, but other than that, no cadenzas. The toe cleavage in the pictures is my toe cleavage at its most revealing. I agree that closed shoes that expose it all but your toe nail look a little silly.

That’s interesting, Therese. Your need for some sort of foot covering narrows your warm weather footwear selection down a great deal, especially in very hot and humid HK.

Inge, the shoes you’re referring to are wedged sling back heeled sandals by BCBG. Heather, the cream pointy toe cut-out ballet flats are from a tiny shop in Barcelona. The red stacked three inch pumps are Kate Spade and the mango round toed pumps are Calvin Klein and 4 years old. Those yellow pumps remain the most comfortable heels I own. I’ve had them resoled twice and wish I’d duplicated them at the time. Unfortunately they’re looking a little tatty but I cannot part with them yet.

June 16, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Bambi

Toe cleavage is SEXY! So much so, that tradition has warned against its use in excess in the work environment. Notice how many designers have started playing up the accentuation of toe cleavage in their shoe designs? Personally, I both wear and like shoes that don’t shy away from toe cleavage. BTW, I also have long toes, and find that there are men who really appreciate that feature.

June 16, 2008 at 6:47 pm

Sihaya

I don’t have the most attractive feet or toenails on the planet but I’ve made my peace with them – they’re wider than you would expect from my other proportions and the toe nails aren’t the best. Last week I bought a new pair of shoes that for the first time expose toe cleavage and I’m with Shiny – I thought they flattered my feet and looked sexy so I’m all for it – in appropriate doses of course

June 16, 2008 at 7:04 pm

Ana

OMG those shoes on the lower right are my FAVORITE!

As far as toe cleavage, I’m neutral. A little is okay.

June 16, 2008 at 7:11 pm

TheBarb

I have the exact same toe problem. I’ve been told several times that my toes look like little fingers. To which I responded “I’d rather have little fingers than the vienna sausage toes you have!!”

June 17, 2008 at 6:28 am

Julie

(website)

I don’t mind a little TC as long as it doesn’t make the shoes look like they don’t fit properly.

As a size 11 U.S. with long skinny toes, it’s often unavoidable!

Love the shoes on the lower right.

June 17, 2008 at 3:33 pm

Therese

If I could go barefoot here, i would. still, it’s humidity and heat that make things here so bad. We’ve had weeks of rain, and the one time that my shoes and stockings were soaked through, I bought a cheap pair of sandals and wore them sockless, slipping the whole way home. I now just wear rain shoes (those mini wellies) and thin socks, switching to hose and flats at the office. The weekend is for converse and socklets. I can’t bear slipping within my own shoes when walking.

June 17, 2008 at 8:15 pm

Kristen

I LOVE toe cleavage and am always looking for more of it…..alas, I have the opposite problem. Apparently, I have short toes. I think it is sexy!

June 18, 2008 at 4:51 am

Sarah

Hm, I’d never heard of TC until I read this entry. I’ve actually never noticed it before (on myself or anyone else) until I bought my latest pair of shoes. I have TC in my new red patent shoes, and my husband told me I should always wear hose with them because he thinks it looks silly. It’s good to hear other people’s opinions on the topic.

June 18, 2008 at 1:49 pm

Melissa

Yeah, I have long toes, too. I never thought much about toe cleavage. I have big feet, if I find a paid of cute shoes that fit, I buy them.

June 18, 2008 at 1:50 pm

Julie

(website)

I have big feet, if I find a paid of cute shoes that fit, I buy them.

Preach it, Sister! I panic and try to buy every color when something works well.

June 18, 2008 at 3:46 pm

Sara

(website)

I’ve never been a fan of toe cleavage really…but just on me! I feel like strangers are judging my ugly feet if I’m sporting toe cleavage.

June 18, 2008 at 10:30 pm

Cathy

I am blessed with relatively good feet so most shoes work for me. I have recently lost a toe nail due to a toe fungus that I didn’t catch in time but otherwise I’m fine showing a lot of toe, or foot, or whatever.

June 21, 2008 at 5:22 pm

Steph Corwin

(website)

Wow thank you google reader for bringing me here. I LOVE toe cleavage! Omg. How is there a doubt in its sexiness? Totally agree with Kristen above.

June 25, 2008 at 9:34 pm

Girly Post Ahead | Those Corwins

(website)

[…] This blog got me thinking some serious thoughts for a Wednesday evening. Toe cleavage: yay or nay? I have my own opinions, but being out of the loop of the whole anti-toe cleavage movement had no clue that there were people who specifically bought shoes to avoid it. […]

June 25, 2008 at 9:52 pm

Michelle

I’m so glad I’m not the only one checking to see if toe cleavage is alright! LOL I’m going to ge those shoes! Thanks!

October 22, 2008 at 7:10 pm

Paul

Personally, I find TOE CLEAVAGE SOOOOOOOO SEXY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s the first thing I look for when I’m walking the streets!!!
All I all I love women’s FEET!!!!!!!!!!! And the toe cleavage is the best part of all!!!!!

March 24, 2009 at 7:43 am

Footkisser@aol.com

I love toe cleavage. In the pictures above, toe cleavage looks amazing in the red & yellow shoes especially (I like the rounded tip better than excessively pointy shoes), pretty good in the lower right picture, and not especially great in the lower left picture. That being said, the pic in the lower left still would catch my eye, seeing as how I love women’s feet.
Personally I prefer a woman to have a nice pedicure and some sandals, but if the shoes are going to be closed toe then I say toe cleavage is definitely not only acceptable, it’s also very attractive.

September 25, 2009 at 9:58 am

Kari Coach H.G.

Active Member

I don’t mind showing some “toe cleavage” especially when I’m fresh from a pedicure! After all, friends still consider my feet in excellent shape for woman my age. The problem is that toe cleavage also translates to reduced grips at the front ends. Coupled with my long toes and high arches, I’m always having trouble keeping most shoes securely on my feet. Such issue may not be too pronounced if I’m wearing closed pumps or sling back. But I find the flats much looser on my feet than the heels though. That’s why I don’t usually wear nylon in order to adding grips on my ankles. That works quite well in Florida anyway. Is there anyone having similar experiences?

February 11, 2011 at 12:12 pm

Kim

I love toe cleavage. I think it lengthens your leg.

February 22, 2011 at 11:33 am

Kristin L

Veteran

I don’t care for toe cleavage. I think mine has more to do with the condition of shoe and foot in it than the actual cleavage. Looking at photos you posted doesn’t bother me, but your feet and shoes look very clean. I feel like most of the shoes and feet I see in them look kindda gross.

June 28, 2012 at 4:50 pm

qpswan

Active Member

I have gotten used to toe cleavage and now I don’t even notice it. I have also gotten used to untucked shirts as well as shirts longer than cardigans and jackets. I have not however, gotten used to exposed bra straps and underwear, pyjamas worn in public and the return of chunky platforms.

June 28, 2012 at 5:35 pm

Pouty

I mostly wear pumps and ballet flats with bare feet, so I couldn’t care less about showing toe cleavage. If I show toe cleavage, I show toe cleavage. If I don’t show toe cleavage, I don’t show toe cleavage.

March 17, 2024 at 5:11 am

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