I had heard for some years that it is considered sexy by many. I personally have a low tolerance for it as to me it looks like the shoes don't fit. Your pic is a prime example. And I just think honestly, does sexy have to come into everything, even toes? Sigh.

Opaline - I feel the same!! It looks so uncomfortable:)

Haha, totally, Sal!

I don’t mind a little toe cleavage. It doesn’t bother me to see it on myself or on others. I don’t find it distracting.

I like the look of toe cleavage, and have shoes that expose the toe in this way. (though not chosen for that reason!) I can't bear seeing heels extending past the back end of mules or slingbacks or sandals, though. Also seeing that pinkie toe flying free of the shoe strap. No!

I don’t like it on me and usually it’s associated with not fitting well, vamp doesn’t cover bunion or too tight OR too loose, and often in others it’s poor fit as well.
I may have an added issue because for such shoes in which this would be likely, I would be wearing sheer hose; hence toe cleavage would make the hose stand out more and start to look like hose with sandals and would not be desirable.

Does not bother me in the least. I was genuinely surprised when a close friend of mine expressed discomfort because of the sensual aspect. She changed her opinion and came around to my way of thinking.

I have long toes and occasionally they show a little but I don't really own many pairs of shoes that style. A little bit doesn't bother me but I think the picture you posted shows a bit too much for my taste.

I don't mind toe cleavage at all. I also find the whole modesty/sexuality discussion around it quite absurd. If you don't like it for other reasons (toes getting cold, proportions of the shoe on the feet, etc.) it's fine, but other than that, I feel like being too concerned about toe cleavage (who came up with that anyway!) plays into all the stupid standards of beauty of our age. Another invisible cage for women. It is a body part, get over it! (rant over, steps down from her soapbox! :))

Thank you, everyone! Such a range of takes on this (non)issue.

Suz, those pics are very helpful, thanks! Interesting that on your feet it seems to be the outside/pinky toes that show. On my feet it is the opposite -- usually my big toe, but in any shoe with a curved or v-shaped vamp, it's all of them.

Jessikams -- I'm never really sure what to do for dressy events in cold weather. I might go for heeled sock boots/booties if I can find a pair that fits nicely, just because they'd be more practical and maybe get more wear. And then I can just forget about this issue.

Opaline -- those sandals with the pinky toe hanging out of the straps look like a torture device! Ack!

I'll try to follow up more later, I have a busy day...

I have a very high tolerance because I have very long toes.

If you are happily wearing a shoe then you’ll never get an eye roll from me. Same goes for polished/unpolished toes in sandals, hose with sandals, a bit of heel or toe overhang, or whatever. If you are comfortable and happy, then it’s all good.

What I don’t much like is women using “aesthetics” or “modesty” as screens to hide behind when they judge other women. Trying to equate showing a toe joint with sensuality is where I’ll roll my eyes.

Yes...I am trying to think why that is so (I mean why it seems to show my end toes...). Those toes are very short! Obviously it has to do with the shape of a person's foot. Hmmmm.

Yay Bella and Gaylene! Yes who was the idiot who talked about whether it was sensual or not in the first place! And then judging or worrying because of that when they're just toes

I have long toes and a lowered tolerance of toe cleavage on me. I find it distracting to the line of the shoe somehow. I sometimes cope with it in service of a particular shoe for a particular purpose, but try to avoid it. Nothing to do with fashion insight, just a preference. I think the foot looks "busier" if there is both toe cleavage and a patterned shoe, It is a little less hectic (to my eye) if the shoe is a solid. Only an opinion and I don't always have the luxury of indulging it. Love that there are so few hard and fast "rules" attempting to dictate this stuff now.

I think snsuality is the reason for the verbot in courtrooms and other formal settings, but agree with Jenn NZ & co: if you find that sexy, you’ve got a problem.

I seldom think about how much toe cleavage others are showing. However, I find that the toe cleavage in the picture you have uploaded distracts from the pretty shoes. PLENTY of cleavage here. I think I'm most used to seeing just a little toe cleavage (a tiny part between the two biggest toes only) and in shoes with more simple design (i.e. a solid classic pump).

As for myself, I can't say that I consciously aim to avoid toe cleavage. But I don't think I have any shoes at all where this is an issue.

Toe what??

Agreed, LaPed!

I have a very high tolerance because I didn’t know what it was until I read this post. When did this become a thing and how did it escape me?

Hah, I never knew it was a thing 'til I started trying on dress shoes! It bothered my eye -- didn't even occur to me that it might disturb someone's moral sensibilities -- and I found myself wondering, "Wait, is this really how shoes are supposed to fit?!" I always feel a little bit illiterate when it comes to women's shoes.

You know, sometimes it bothers me and sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t know what the deciding factor is. Maybe how many toes show that way?

In some shoes, it's ok; in others, it's not so cute. It's usually pointed toe shoes that don't bother me with the toe cleavage.
Personally, I like shoes that cover most of my foot, like the pics