Toe cleavage

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Toe cleavage is the partial exposure of a woman's toes in shoes that are cut low enough at the vamp.^[1] Low cut shoes reveal toe cleavage similar to how low cut tops reveal breast cleavage.

Toe cleavage is considered to be fashionable by stylists such as Susan Conterno, columnist for FAMOUS magazine.^[2] 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.".^[3] According to fashion insiders, "toe-cleavage shoes sans stockings" are part of the "unwritten dress code" of the "Voguette", as dictated by the magazine's longtime editor in chief Anna Wintour -- "even in the bitter New York winter".^[4]

Fashion advice also centers around the amount of appropriate toe cleavage. A pump (shoe) with a "slightly low vamp for a hint of toe cleavage" should not be "too racy for a conservative office".^[5] Financial guru Suze Orman says it is "the only cleavage that should be shown around an office".^[6]

The implied sexual aspects also come into play for some. Dominatrix Claudia Varrin writes of wearing an outfit featuring toe cleavage when entertaining a foot fetishist.^[7] And Frederick's of Hollywood has promoted open-toe shoes as "sexually suggestive" due to the toe cleavage.^[8]

[edit] References

^ Meredith Broussard. "Foot for Thought", Philadelphia City Paper, 2003-04-23.
^ Susan Conterno (2005-05-02). Toe Cleavage.
^ Manolo Blahnik. Design Museum.
^ Jerry Oppenheimer (2005). Front Row: Anna Wintour, the Cool Life and Hot Times of Vogue's Editor in Chief. Vogue. ISBN 0312323107. “A ... candidate for a ... features editor job ... had been well-briefed by a friend, a Voguette already safely ensconced in the elite fold, as to the toe-cleavage shoes sans stockings. Anna ... dictates everything that goes into the magazine, along with the behavior ... in its hallowed halls, from how subordinates should act on the elevators ... to how they are supposed to dress if they want to work there.... Thus, naked legs and open-toed stilettos in the bitter New York winter were requirements of the famed and feared editrix's unwritten dress code.”
^ Kendall Farr (2004). The Pocket Stylist: Behind-the-Scenes Expertise from a Fashion Pro on Creating Your Own Look. Gotham Books. ISBN 1592400418.
^ Laura Harrison McBride (2004). FabJob Guide to Become a Personal Shopper, Peter J Gallanis, FabJob.com. ISBN 1894638557.
^ Claudia Varrin (2005). The Female Dominant: Games She Plays. Citadel Press. ISBN 0806526696. “The outfit was a high-necked, sleeveless, full-skirted black dress; a thick, black, suede belt; lace-topped, black thigh-high stockings; and black suede stiletto pumps with the low vamp that allowed lots of toe cleavage. She knew he loved toe cleavage. Didn't most foot fetishists?”
^ Charles Panati (1998). Sexy Origins and Intimate Things: The Rites and Rituals of Straights, Gays, Bis, Drags, Trans, Virgins, and Others. Penguin Books. ISBN 0140271449. “Frederick's of Hollywood has always promoted its open-toe and open-heel models as sexually suggestive because they reveal foot flesh and toe cleavage.”