Open-toed boots?

by Rachel Pugh
Weekender General Manager
Times Leader Director of Community Relations

Just when you thought your boots were for winter and your peep toes for summer, the shoe industry changes it up again. The lines between the proper wardrobes for seasons seem to get fuzzier year after year. The solution? Throw caution to the wind. White after Labor Day? Who cares? The rules are amended, and the door opened for trial and error, creativity and an overall cavalier attitude towards what is faux pas and what is not.

Let’s not get out of control though. Panty hose with open toed shoes will always be, without doubt, a huge no-no. Wearing flip-flops while there is snow on the ground, well that’s just stupid. And socks with sandals? Don’t even get me started. If it is too cold outside to wear sandals, then you shouldn’t be wearing sandals. Put them in the back of the closet until you see the daffodils start to sprout. Once the weather breaks, you can pull them out again. But don’t you dare throw on a pair of wool socks and slip into some sandals. This look should be banned internationally.

Take a look at the open-toed hybrid. These boots look durable enough for colder weather, but just when you think they’re slated for 4th quarter, your eyes follow their way down to the toe of the shoe. Exposed toes? Peep toe boots? That is correct. Although this look most likely will not last long in stores, this trendy footwear is making a bold statement for the time being. Why should strappy heel or sling backs have all the fun? Boots want to show a little skin too, even if it’s only the toes.

Known for their ultra trendy styles at extremely affordable prices, Forever 21 has a plethora of open-toed boots in all styles, colors and heights. They provide a more subtle look with a pair of open toed ankle boots or a more dramatic look with a boot that is practically knee height. Slender legs only need apply. Boots in general can make a leg look stumpy but add the exposed toes, and this look can cut you off right at the, well, toes. It is the break in materials on your leg that causes the stumpy look. The shoe starts, and then it stops, and then is starts again giving a jarring look, which if you don’t have legs coming out of your ears, will result in a very undesirable look. After all, we all want shoes to look sexy on our feet, not like hooves.

Since these types of shoes have to be worn with skirts or dresses, it adds an even more dramatic start-and-stop look. Sadly, the shoes discriminates. But doesn’t all fashion? We all can’t wear everything, and different body types call for different types of styles. At a mere 5’4,” I personally wouldn’t wear the open-toed boot. I like to elongate my legs and try to make them as long as possible because, unfortunately, they are anything but. I don’t play around with risky attire such as this footwear. If there is even the slightest chance of making me look like a trunk, I bypass. Now if I had legs like Julia Roberts, this would be a different story. Long legs, have at it. This look is all you.

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