Fashion has seen its fair share of unusual shoe trends come and go, but one particularly unconventional style is starting to get more attention thanks to celebrities who keep stepping out in it: the so-called toe shoe.
Unlike traditional open-toe heels that simply feature a strap across the toes, these designs put the toes themselves on display in unexpected ways. Some feature split-toe silhouettes, while others use transparent PVC straps or strategically placed cutouts that highlight individual toes and what fashion enthusiasts sometimes call “toe cleavage.”
The trend has also earned some rather unflattering nicknames online, including “pig’s hoof” and “pig trotter” shoes, thanks to designs that resemble an animal’s cloven hoof. Others on the internet simply have called it a “terrible” and “unflattering” trend.
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Kylie Jenner Embraces the Transparent Toe Shoe Trend
Transparent materials are another major component of the trend. Clear polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is often used for straps, bands, and accents, creating the illusion that the foot is partially exposed while still being secured inside the shoe. Some open-toe pumps, for example, feature a central transparent strap that holds the foot in place while drawing attention to the toes.
Luxury fashion houses and runway labels, including Maison Margiela, Valentino, and Saint Laurent have helped bring unconventional toe shapes and transparent footwear into the fashion conversation.
And now, celebrities are giving the divisive trend even more visibility.
In July, Kylie Jenner shared a photo on her Instagram grid wearing a pair of transparent plastic heels that looked almost like the Cinderella shoes many of us might have played with as children.
The unusual mules featured a single square cutout at the front, exposing her big toe and its red pedicure while concealing the rest of her toes for an unconventional take on the open-toe shoe. The clear material gave the heels an almost invisible appearance, while the strategically placed opening made her pedicure part of the overall design.
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Hailey Bieber Sparks Debate With Valentino’s ‘Pig’s Hoof’ Heels
Kylie isn't the only celebrity helping bring attention to the unusual footwear trend. In February, Hailey Bieber sparked a major social media debate after stepping out in the Valentino Garavani Open Toe Révélé Suede Pumps 105mm, a designer style priced at approximately $1,100.
The open-toe stilettos feature a transparent polymer strap and an unconventional split-cut design that creates a visual resembling a pig's hoof.
The unusual silhouette immediately caught the attention of fashion watchers, with social media users giving the shoes nicknames such as "pig's hoof" and "pig trotter" heels.
While some fashion fans appreciated the daring design and its unconventional approach to traditional pumps, others weren't quite as impressed.
Whether you consider them a high-fashion statement or one of the strangest footwear trends to emerge recently, these toe-baring designs are clearly getting people talking. And with celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Hailey Bieber embracing the look, the unconventional shoe trend may be sticking around longer than some would expect.
