The Peep-Toe Shoe Trend Is Back—and Against All Odds, I’m Into It
From front-row sightings to runway revivals, the style is back—and this time, it’s chic.


Among all the body parts to accentuate, fashion designers have recently taken a keen interest in the toe. They’re splitting pumps down the front and turning them into hooves akin to Maison Margiela’s cleft-toe Tabis. They’re sending out toe ring sandals with built-in bijoux and mesh flats that put your pretty pedicures on full display. According to the Spring 2025 runways, the peep-toe shoe is quietly stepping into position as one of the season’s biggest spring shoe trends.
Not everyone, however, will be thrilled that the party-in-the-front shoe is making a comeback—“toe cleavage” still isn’t for everyone. But before rushing to judgment, consider that designers are approaching this peek-a-boo style differently now. In an era defined by naked dressing, footwear is fashion’s final frontier as creatives work their way from head to toe. This time around, the peep-toe has a far sexier, more considered point of view than its early-aughts predecessors. Like a keyhole neckline or a strategic cut-out at the waist, there’s something undeniably alluring about a piece that reveals just a sliver of skin—or toe.
Tory Burch's toe-punched pumps in its Spring 2025 show.
Tory Burch’s Spring 2025 collection was a prime example of the subtly sultry shoe trend in action: the American designer sent out peep-toe heels that flashed just three-quarters of the big toe—a flirtatious wink in footwear form.
The coy approach to peep-toes continued as Fashion Month progressed. Catherine Holstein of Khaite unveiled front-slit pumps that New York women instantly crowned their number-one in-the-know spring shoe. Acne Studios made its enthusiasm for toe-forward designs unmistakable, with slouchy knee-high open-front boots adorned in patent and florals. Meanwhile, Prada revived its frilled peep-toe platforms, first shown in Fall 2008, and at Miu Miu, Mrs. Prada doubled down on the toe-centric trend by showcasing cone heels with a missing chunk at the cap.
Khaite's coveted toe-slit heels on its Spring 2025 runway.
But designers didn’t stop at their springtime peepers. Fast-forward to the Fall 2025 runways, and sultry shoes were back in full force—think cutout knee-high boots at Prada, funky wedge sandals at Fendi, and ventilated mules at Victoria Beckham. One season might signal a playful, flash-in-the-pan moment. But a second, back-to-back showing? That confirms the trend isn’t just dipping a toe in—it’s got a firm foothold.
Prada's peep-toe knee-high boots for fall.
Followed by Fendi's peep-toe mules, which offer a cutesy glance at baby pink socks.
Street-style stars also help cement the peep-toe’s staying power. Katie Holmes has been spotted wearing open-toed heels to A-list events, Daisy Edgar-Jones brings Tory Burch’s flirtatious versions as plus-ones to parties, and Lady Gaga, ever the maximalist, leans into open-toed thigh-high boots for live show tapings.
Daisy Edgar-Jones in a verdant green bubble dress, accented by Tory Burch's peep-toe pumps.
And in addition to freeing your toes for the world to see, the peep-toe revival makes something else clear: in a trend cycle that moves at warp speed, the most unexpected styles often have the most lasting impact. Fashion has a history of embracing the divisive—ugly-chic sneakers, low-rise jeans, and the peep-toe is no exception. Given the opportunity, the industry will always fall head over heels for a controversial shoe that sparks conversation. So you might as well make peace with it—this trend isn’t going anywhere in 2025—and maybe book a pedicure, just in case.
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Emma Childs is the fashion features editor at Marie Claire, where she explores the intersection of style and human interest storytelling. She covers viral, zeitgeist-y moments—like TikTok's "Olsen Tuck" and Substack's "Shirt Sandwiches"—and has written hundreds of runway-researched trend reports. Above all, Emma enjoys connecting with real people about style, from picking a designer's brain to speaking with athlete stylists, politicians, and C-suite executives.
Emma previously wrote for The Zoe Report, Editorialist, Elite Daily, and Bustle and studied Fashion Studies and New Media at Fordham University Lincoln Center. When Emma isn't writing about niche fashion discourse on the internet, you'll find her stalking eBay for designer vintage, doing hot yoga, and "psspsspssp"-ing at bodega cats.
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