Chic or Eek: Open Toe Boots

by Anna Villaruel
(Seoul, South Korea)

April 23, 2012: A couple of years ago, way back in 2009, I pondered on the practicality of peep toe boots. I mean, what was the point in wearing boots with a hole that showed your toes? How can you keep your feet covered for Fall?

Burberry Prorsum spring summer 2012 open toe boots

Courtesy of Burberry Prorsum SS 2012 RTW
Needless to say, things have changed, considering that 3 years in fashion is like 30 in dog years! Open toe shoes (sandals and pumps) are flirty and glamorous - but open toe boots on the other hand have become more of a fashion statement, a weapon for cutting-edge chicness - rather than a functional utility. These shoes ain’t made for walking but for showing off and for adding that little bit of *POW* to your look.

Yes, they ooze of modern trendiness, and they also add edge to everything – from skirts and dresses, to skinny jeans and city shorts. And compared to closed toe booties, these can create a slimming effect on the legs because of your exposed toes.

Ciara, Mary Kate Olsen and Joan Smalls wearing open toe boots

Ciara, Mary Kate Olsen and Joan Smalls wearing open toe boots

Via: Ciara/Bauer Griffin Online - Mary Kate Olsen/Just Jared - Joan Smalls/Getty Images

The drawback of Open Toe Boots

Despite their chic awesomeness, I still have my reservations when it comes to these edgy babies. Mainly because many open toe boots create an unflattering frump factor.

The thing with most fashion boots is that they tend to visually shorten legs, so if you have short legs and/or thick ankles/muscular calves or are petite in general (yes, shortening your legs make you look shorter) - you need to look for open toe boots that do the opposite.

So here's a few tips on how to make this trend work for you if you don't have a pair of supermodel legs:

Open toe boot styles for short/full legs:

Boots in a color that blends with the color of your bottom, skin tone or hosiery
Ankle booties with a short shaft (below your ankles). Your ankles are the thinnest part of your legs, and showing off this area creates the illusion of slimmer legs
Heeled peep toe booties
The right heel style that matches with the scale of your ankles and legs. If you’re legs are average to muscular you’ll benefit from wedge and thicker heels, as well as platform booties styles. However if you have skinny legs with dainty ankles then slimmer heels (eg. stilettos) are your best bet
Open toe boots that show more skin on your feet (think strappy or caged sandal-like bootie styles)
Simple boots (lots of details usually add pounds to your legs)
Open toe boots with vertical elongating details (for example vertical zipper)

Click here for more fashion advice on how to select a pair of shoes