https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:43:54 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas/page/2#post-989225 Wed, 24 Jul 2013 15:54:12 +0000 Irene 989225@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yeah, I'm not mad either, sorry if it sounded like I was. Actually I tried not to single Marley out! (by saying, 'not talking about you, specifically').</p> <p>Just wanted to remind us all that no body (and nobody) is perfect! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas/page/2#post-989218 Wed, 24 Jul 2013 15:47:02 +0000 MsMary 989218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FTR, I ain't mad atcha, Marley!&nbsp; Mwah!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas/page/2#post-989212 Wed, 24 Jul 2013 15:35:20 +0000 rae 989212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just to not single anyone out,&nbsp;Marley was not the only one who expressed a preference for colored toes - and others who actually preferred bare toes seemed more concerned about hidden fungus lurking under polish.&nbsp;</p> <p>It seems like there are worries on both sides here - so to me that makes it a Catch-22 situation where we all might as well do what we want!&nbsp;</p> <p>And also, I DO appreciate everyone voicing their true feelings on this matter. Gaylene is right - the forum would lose people and lose its value if we all had to walk on eggshells. It is better to know that hey, <i>some</i> people out there <i>may</i> be having thoughts XYZ if I do ABC. Then I can choose my course of action. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas/page/2#post-989197 Wed, 24 Jul 2013 15:25:41 +0000 Alexandra 989197@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bare toes are not a faux pas in my book. If they are trimmed and the feet are well groomed, polish or no polish is a personal preference. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas/page/2#post-989176 Wed, 24 Jul 2013 15:03:09 +0000 Gaylene 989176@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, now I'm feeling a bit sorry for Marley because Rae did ask for our opinions about polished toes. I never would have realized that toes could arouse such passionate responses.</p> <p>I also think Irene is right to remind us how easy it is to take another person's opinion to heart if we are personally struggling with an issue. But we'd lose a lot if people began to hold back on their opinions just because someone might get offended. I doubt that Marley intended to offend anyone with her comments about preferring polished toes, but the responses made me realize that my own comments about "rough" feet might also be a tad insensitive.</p> <p>Grey hair, toe fungus, cellulite, facial blemishes--we do have some interesting discussions on this fashion site! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas/page/2#post-989158 Wed, 24 Jul 2013 14:50:57 +0000 Ornella 989158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This thread made me remember one of my high-school teachers (!), the man&nbsp;who is probably the most unlikely style inspiration on the planet, but whose appearance taught me one of the most valuable style lessons: first be neat and tidy. Everything else comes next. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas/page/2#post-989151 Wed, 24 Jul 2013 14:38:11 +0000 Irene 989151@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Marley,</p> <p>The truth is, so many bodily stuff is 'gross'. I won't say it 'out loud' but there are many, many, many things in a human body I dislike more than fungus and would rather not see, but asking people with such problems to cover themselves -especially in the summer months- so that I don't have to see it is not nice (I'm not talking about you, specifically, but in general). I did feel a tad offended on behalf of some people I know with the fungus problem, and I can see I was not the only one.</p> <p>Yes, fungus might be gross. Cellulite too. And zits. And stretch marks. And scars. And any dermatological problem. I think if I say zits are 'gross', a person with facial acne might understand I'm saying he/she is 'gross'. Zits do cover their faces, after all. </p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas/page/2#post-988873 Wed, 24 Jul 2013 02:34:02 +0000 lyn* 988873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just painted my toenails because someone at work commented that my toes were yuck and not painted.</p> <p>Someone had peed on my foot and I was trying to clean up my foot (hence the lack of shoes). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas/page/2#post-988861 Wed, 24 Jul 2013 02:17:57 +0000 Marley 988861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I didn't "hear" anyone say that a person with a toenail fungus is gross! - but rather, that the fungus itself is gross!&nbsp; One of my sisters and also my mom has struggled with toenail fungus for years - and they would be the first to tell you that it is&nbsp;gross!&nbsp; And yes, its true - it has nothing to do with hygiene.</p> <p>As far as the polished/unpolished issue goes - after reading everyone's opinions on this - I've changed my mind - either way is fine - but for those of you thinking you don't want to polish your toenails because the color won't always go with what you are wearing - just wear a neutral color - like a taupe, gray, nude, light silver or gold - those colors will go with anything!&nbsp; Or - wear a clear polish!&nbsp; Ta-da! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas/page/2#post-988860 Wed, 24 Jul 2013 02:14:24 +0000 Betti 988860@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've actually been wondering what people though about bare exposed toenails. I have REALLY crooked 2nd toes. They look like monkey toes. I always thought wearing polish would call attention to my toes so I went naked. Then DH kept asking why I don't paint them, as he though it would call attention away from the crooked toes and onto the nails. So I started painting them and I think he's right. But I do go bare at times too.</p> <p>I used to work as an assistant to a podiatrist so I have a lot of experience with fungus. Anyone can get it, the fungus itself is everywhere and you can't avoid being "exposed". For the most part you can really only control it, if that (creams, paints, etc). There are oral anti-fungals but they can be hard on your body so it's usually felt that nail fungus isn't worth the side effects. Plus, there are some nail conditions that can look like nail fungus, but are not.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas/page/2#post-988856 Wed, 24 Jul 2013 02:03:54 +0000 Gaylene 988856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As long as people with gangrene are not offended, I like Anna's stance on this issue. People's feet are what they are and I don't think anyone ought to feel&nbsp; they shouldn't wear sandals in the summer.</p> <p>Does anyone else think that sometimes we women are our own worst enemies with our stances on things like hose in the summer and polished toe nails? I think I'm going to try to just let things like this slide by without looking down my nose on others. Bring on the chipped, brightly colored toes on calloused feet.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas/page/2#post-988849 Wed, 24 Jul 2013 01:58:22 +0000 Lisa 988849@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm late but I don't mind unpainted toes.&nbsp; I am allergic to nailpolish so I cannot wear polish daily.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas/page/2#post-988819 Wed, 24 Jul 2013 01:01:55 +0000 rae 988819@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Woah, I did not know this thread would open floodgates about toenail fungus. I was thinking it was a question similar to, like, is it okay to show empty belt loops... And I didn't say, but I was more worried about it in the workplace than anything.&nbsp;</p> <p>But while we are on the topic, I do heartily agree that toe fungus is <b>not</b>&nbsp;a sign of poor hygiene, and that no one should be made to feel badly about it - especially not about wearing sandals to get rid of it. I had a fungal infection just this winter, and it turned out to be because of how my body reacted to stress, sugar, and new medication.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas/page/2#post-988708 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 22:08:15 +0000 annagybe 988708@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One year I lost both my big toe nails to skiing. At the beginning of summer I hid them in closed toe shoes, but about half through the summer I had enough. So even though I only had half a toe nail on each big toe I just said the heck with it and wore sandals.<br /> I see all kinds of feet all day at work. Unless the toes are black with gangrene than everybody should have to right to wear sandals. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas#post-988705 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 22:03:16 +0000 MsMary 988705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also don't appreciate the nasty, judgmental comments about toenail fungus.</p> <p>I have toenail fungus in a couple of nails and I already felt pretty darned awful about it before reading this thread.&nbsp; And now I feel worse knowing that people are thinking such horrible thoughts about me and my nicely polished toenails.&nbsp; I've tried everything under the sun to get rid of it, with mixed results.&nbsp; I felt like I had to speak out because... really?&nbsp; Why on earth would you come here and call people "gross" when you do. not. know. the. first. thing. about. it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas#post-988645 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 20:37:38 +0000 Irene 988645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like polished nails in the summer (I wear red shades, a coral red at the moment. No blues, greens or other non-flesh colors). Does that mean that non-polish is wrong? Not at all. As long as your feet are groomed you are fine. Some people can't wear polish for many different reasons and they still have the right to feel great in sandals. </p> <p>As for fungus... it doesn't always mean the person doesn't take care of their feet. I know two women with fungus on their feet and both really take care of them. In fact, they take more care than healthy feet women would since they have a problem and feel uncomfortable about it. The truth is, some times you just can't do much about it. Fungus doesn't always go away. One of them used to take pills to eliminate them (and it would only last for one summer or even less). The pills would totally ruin her health, she would weaken and feel sick all the time. It was genetics, other family members had it too. Of course she painted her toe-nails all year-round. It's unfair to consider fungus disgusting, just like it is unfair to think people with psoriasis do not shower as often as they should. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas#post-988643 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 20:26:40 +0000 Mo 988643@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Team bare toes are just fine! &nbsp;I rarely have polished toes and I'm in sandals a lot in summer. &nbsp;But I have nice toes, if I do say so myself lol. &nbsp;I find that most polishes I might want to try only match with some of my clothing. &nbsp;I would hate to have a blue polish on one day with a grey, black and white outfit for instance and then want to wear red and white the next day, but have the clashing blue polish on. &nbsp;I'm way too lazy to change polish more than once a week, maybe even all month if it's on my toes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas#post-988594 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 19:01:23 +0000 Marley 988594@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am also in the minority.&nbsp; I think that polished toenails are a must if you are wearing a shoe that exposes your toes.&nbsp; You don't have to wear a bright color on your toes - in fact, I prefer one that is more of taupe color because then it doesn't draw attention to my toes. (although right now I am wearing bright white on my toes!) &nbsp; I want my "pop" of color to be in other aspects of my outfit.&nbsp; BUT, I am very opinionated on the toenail polish issue - I don't think that (in general) toenails are all that attractive and so they need all the help they can get.&nbsp; I do sometimes give mine a breather - but I just make sure that I wear closed toe shoes during the breather!&nbsp; I tend to automatically think when I see someone wearing open toe shoes and no nail polish, that there must be something wrong with their nails (fungus?) and therefore they can't wear polish.&nbsp; You can take care of the yellowing that polish may cause on your toenails by wearing a really good base coat - and also, not using such dark colors on your toenails.&nbsp; My motto - "No polish on toes - then must wear shoes that are closed!" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas#post-988582 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 18:47:50 +0000 Cindy 988582@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It looks like I am in the minority. I prefer polished toenails. Bare toenails are acceptable only&nbsp;with very casual outfits. Polished nails don't make me think a person is hiding nail fungus. I am more likely to suspect a problem with unpolished nails. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas#post-988565 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 18:26:01 +0000 cciele 988565@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas#post-988564 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 18:21:08 +0000 Transcona Shannon 988564@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would much rather see nicely groomed, clean and neat natural toe nails than painted toe nails that have chipped and faded.</p> <p>I also let mine breathe every so often and actually my podiatrist who I saw about my baby bunion, said you should go without polish every once in a while. It's healthier for the nail in the long run and keeps them from permanently turning yellow. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas#post-988551 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 17:59:42 +0000 Gaylene 988551@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Groomed, definitely yes; polished, optional. I actually prefer the look of buffed, natural-looking nails to brightly colored polish. I sometimes take a second look because it looks like someone has injured their foot when I see greens, yellows, and purple. I also have a real poisoned eye for sloppily applied, or chipped polish, on rough-looking feet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas#post-988547 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 17:54:49 +0000 rachylou 988547@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No. But you may want to buff. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas#post-988509 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 17:11:52 +0000 MovingFashionForward 988509@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me, unpolished toenails are much more aesthetically pleasing. When I see polished toenails, especially if it is opaque polish, all I can think about is that the polish may be hiding fungal nail infections, which seems to me very gross. I almost never polish my toenails, and I walk around with my lovely healthy toenails fully exposed to the sunlight (and possibly shocked toenail polishers!), and as a result I have never ever had the dreaded yellow nail fungal issue I have seen in toenails kept better covered than mine.</p> <p>If I were to have the dreaded yellow nail fungus issue, that would be all the more reason to expose my toenails to the sunlight, though perhaps only in the privacy of my own back garden! I think for some people it is a bit of a vicious circle: they paint their nails or wear closed-toe shoes to cover the nail fungus, which makes it worse. So I think your idea of letting your toenails breathe is actually a very good idea.</p> <p>Sorry to be gross!</p> <p>Sarah</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas#post-988485 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 16:40:59 +0000 Helena 988485@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with the majority; it's the grooming that's key, not the polish. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas#post-988473 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 16:32:44 +0000 Anonymous 988473@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>... and for those with changing color on their nails due to polish, you should not be applying&nbsp;any high pigmented nail polish without a base coat. A base coat acts as a buffer within the nail and the pigment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas#post-988469 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 16:30:13 +0000 Anonymous 988469@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not at all. You nails are manicured. Unsightly toes with rough feet, perhaps yes, a little IMO. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas#post-988467 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 16:28:29 +0000 Suz 988467@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Neat and well groomed is what counts!&nbsp;</p> <p>But I have sometimes had the same question in summer. In winter I let mine go au naturelle!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas#post-988456 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 16:18:22 +0000 Anonymous 988456@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not at all. I think it's good to let them breathe occasionally. As long as they are neat and well manicured I don't think it matters if there is any polish on them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-unpainted-toenails-a-faux-pas#post-988452 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 16:13:14 +0000 DeniseP 988452@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Understand where you're coming from since at times I feel self-conscious about wearing sandals with unpainted toes.<br /> Everyone seems to sport beautiful feet with polished toes, making mine look grubby in comparison.<br /> BUT, several years ago, I noticed my toenails had turned a gruesome yellow color. I had always worn polish on my toes. So, thinking it was a fungus, went to dermatologist and was informed that wearing a constant red color of polish can cause yellowing nails.<br /> Since then I've not worn nail polish and it has taken this long for my toenails to grow out, nice and white. And I want to keep them that way! </p>