Toe Cleavage: Is It Hot or Not?

Jennifer Lopez Displaying Toe Cleavage

If you spend any time around women and shoes, you will surely hear a comment or two about toe cleavage. And, just in case you still don't know what toe cleavage is, it's the partial exposure of a woman's toes in shoes that are cut low enough at the vamp. Low cut shoes reveal toe cleavage similar to how low cut tops reveal breast cleavage.

When it comes to the question about toe cleavage, some are in favor, others are not. Perhaps it's a personal, subjective decision, but is there anything really wrong with toe cleavage? Well, we decided to see what a few "experts" have to say.


Susan Conterno, columnist for FAMOUS magazine is a fan. Manolo Blahnik himself opined that "the secret of toe cleavage, a very important part of the sexuality of the shoe" is that "You must only show the first two cracks."

Shoe designer Christian Louboutin takes a more provocative view of toe cleavage and states "The point is, it's more provocative to show a low toe cleavage than it is wearing sandals that reveal all. In flip-flops you see everything but that is not at all sexy." He takes this further by relating "The curved inside part of the foot, the instep, is the most sexy part so I like to close the heel and reveal the arch."

What's my take? Trust me, I get asked this a lot on the sales floor and I have to say it falls in line with anything other fashion item. What's looks good on some does not look good on others.

Examples of Bad Toe Cleavage

Now, for Some Acceptable Toe Cleavage

In the end, I think it all comes down to a matter of personal preference. If you are completely honest with yourself, you know what looks good and not so good on you. If you are wanting to display a little toe cleavage, make sure that you choose the right shoe cut and that you also select the proper size. Nine times out of ten, bad looking toe cleavage is due to the wrong shoe and the wrong fit.