This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Today’s reader mail comes from reader E, wondering: is toe cleavage appropriate for the office? She also wonders what hosiery to wear with pumps (other than bare legs)…
My feet get sweaty while wearing pumps all day. Am I supposed to be wearing some type of hosiery-sock with them? How do others deal with the sweaty feet issue? Is it even appropriate to have the bare tops of my feet showing while I’m in pumps?
And in that same vein, what are your thoughts on “toe cleavage?” Some of my pumps are cut so low that I’m flashing toe cleavage at work. Can you recommend pumps that are cut higher?
We’re curious what the readers have to say about this one. (Pictured above: Toe Cleavage, originally uploaded to Flickr by cuteheels.)
For our $.02: We find it difficult to walk in pumps while wearing trouser socks or tights — on those days we tend to wear Mary Janes, T-straps, or at least something with a higher vamp. And we’ve seen plenty of women on the streets of New York wearing pumps and bare feet. There do exist various kinds of socks — toe covers or other — but in our experience they tend to be very difficult to wear with pumps because the cloth from the “sock” is always showing.
Update: these are some of our latest favorites…
This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!
(A guiding principle, though: for the love of God, please do not take your shoes off if you’re sitting in a meeting. In your own office, fine, but no one wants to see bare feet beneath a conference room table. Actually, no one wants to see bestocking’d feet, either.)
But then, our feet don’t get that sweaty — apparently, camel leather shoe inserts are your best bet to helping control that issue. (If anyone can recommend a brand of such inserts, we’re sure our reader would appreciate it — we can’t seem to find one.)
Psst: here are some great products to help with “sweaty feet syndrome…”
We would also advise giving your shoes a day “off” between wearings, to let them air out and so forth.
In terms of toe cleavage — this has historically been a controversial issue, and maybe one that’s ripe for a poll. But that said, personally, we don’t mind it.
Here’s our reasoning on whether toe cleavage is acceptable for work: there are a variety of reasons why other types of shoes are considered not acceptable for the office.
The peep toe requires a perfect pedicure (and hopefully the wearer doesn’t have unattractive toe problems, such as hammertoes or things). The tall boot (which, according to our poll a few weeks ago, 1 out of 5 women would still say is “absolutely, always inappropriate” for the office) veers a little too close to the “dominatrix/stripper” vibe.
And yes, there’s the name — cleavage — but, let’s face it: a view of your toes isn’t similar to a view of your breasts. (Also, we’re a little biased because a friend of ours had a great kitten-heeled pair of Louboutins that showed toe cleavage, and we loved. those. shoes.)
Readers, what are your thoughts: is toe cleavage appropriate for the office?
These are some of our favorite heels as of 2023, but check out our entire Guide to Comfortable Heels!
J
I voted for the zero toe cleavage, but I’d like to revise. I think it depends more on the shoes than on the actual toes shown – therefore, the woman with the longer toes above should not worry! If you have a normal-looking shoe that isn’t particularly low-cut on the top and a bit of toe shoes, I can’t imagine who would care. I certainly don’t, despite my vote. I’m just against pumps that look like they are barely hanging onto the woman’s feet.
Therefore, it’s okay if a little toe cleavage shoes, but I think that should NOT be because the shoe itself is really skimpy on the coverage.
Gail
Could someone please explain to me, why would someone who finds pantyhose horribly uncomfortable be ok with tights? Why are Spanx or the like more comfortable than pantyhose? And does anyone think that wearing shoes without socks would be considered work-appropriate and professional- looking for a man, even in the summer?
Mel^2
I wear tights when it’s too cold for bare legs. Pantyhose really do nothing to keep your legs warm, so they’re a lot less comfortable for that purpose and certainly not any more comfortable on the days when it’s warm enough that you don’t need pantyhose. I find Spanx more comfortable because I don’t have to spend my days worrying about tearing them and they don’t cover up the majority of my leg.
I don’t think it’s appropriate for men to show up to work without socks, but that’s comparing apples to oranges. I wouldn’t expect a man to show up to work in a skirt or dress either.
Delta Sierra
Gail – excellent questions! I’d been wondering all that, too.
Nevadamtnbear
I personally don’t like tights either. But, will wear tights in the winter with dresses. I think part of the difference between tights vs. hose for me is that tights tend to have a uniform weave throughout the leg and waist and the material tends to be a softer weave as well. Part of the issues I have with pantyhose is the discomfort I get between my thighs from the fabric rubbing, particularly if I am doing a lot of walking in them. It doesn’t matter whether I’m wearing a size or two larger (tried that) or high end hose, they just literally rub me wrong. Second, I don’t like the waist bands on most pantyhose. they tend to cut into my middle or if I get them large enough to not do that they sag in the crotch making them uncomfortable, not to mention making it a little challenging to not be constantly trying to pull them up if I’m doing a lot of walking.
Spanx on the other hand, depending on the product, generally has wider waist bands, and are not fully leg. And if you’re buying the higher end Spanx (i.e. not the pantyhose version), the fabric is different, hence they don’t rub me wrong.
As for what men wear on their feet. Honestly, I could care less if a man comes into my office without socks, as I rarely if ever pay attention to men’s feet. Also, their pants are generally long enough, that I wouldn’t likely notice whether they’re wearing socks or not. Just as I could care less and wouldn’t think twice about a women wearing a pair of loafers without socks.
Personally, I prefer to go barefoot in life. If I could, I’d walk around barefoot throughout my office. I don’t, I have a pair of ballet slippers I keep at my desk for that purpose. But, in the four walls of my office, I don’t wear any shoes unless I’m cold. At home, I rarely wear shoes, even outside. And 12 months out of the year, when I’m not at work, I’m wearing my Chaco’s 95% of the time when I have to have shoe on my feet. I guess that because of my personal preferences and personality, I really don’t scrutinize whether someone has toe cleavage, is wearing hose, socks, or whatever. To each their own.
Erin
Great questions! I actually find pantyhose horribly uncomfortable (but wear them anyway, or wear tights) and find that tights do not squeeze my inner thighs or create a roll around my waist the way that hose do. Hose seems to literally embed itself in my inner thigh and then my thighs chafe like hell, while tights are thick enough to provide protection against chafing. I find Spanx just as uncomfortable as pantyhose due to the excessive squeezing. Since I walk all over the place, I stick to tights whenever possible and only wear hose or Spanx to super formal events.
No, I don’t think shoes without socks would be work-appropriate for a man, but then again, men never wear anything to the office that shows their lower legs. In my business casual office I can wear sandals/peeptoes to work, and do, but men can’t wear sandals or whatever the male equivalent of peeptoes might be.
Violet
No matter what anyone says, it is the style. In the 80’s and 90’s everyone wore nude hose every day, even in Florida, and no one thought about it. Now, wearing hose would be like wearing a hat and gloves. People wear tights because they are in style.
L
I hardly ever wear hose. Never at work – I only wear pants suits if needed, or I wear a skirt suit with tights and boots. I have a few pairs of Donna Karan nudes that I wear when hose is absolutely necessary (don’t remember the last time that was). Tights are much more comfortable bc you can pull them up the right way without that weird pulling at the crotch area if the hose aren’t on “straight”.
I always have to wear tall hose also (that might help some people) – I am 5.8 and have longish legs.
adri
I must be the weirdest 23 year old in the world. I love pantyhose and I’ve worn them since at least junior high. They’ve never been uncomfortable, and I don’t have problems with the fabric rolling down or binding my feet. I buy the 3-for-$5 packs, and, though they don’t last very long, they do their job. Re: toe cleavage–I really wish we could change that term, because showing a little toe is definitely not the same thing as showing a little breast.
Woman of Color
I’m with you Adri. It always comes back to this topic. I wouldn’t dream of going out without stockings on (I rarely ever wear pants, I believe that women should wear dresses, and skirts). It just makes your outfit look so crisp and pulled together. I don’t see stockings as old-fashioned, but just as a necessary part of a woman’s wardrobe, equivalent to make-up and deodorant. I like you also buy the 3 for $5 packs. I stock-up every two weeks. I also buy the more expensive patterned tights for my “fun” days.
s-k-s
I’ve worked at 2 law firms that are pretty conservative dress-code wise (suits 4 days a week), and even here, hardly any of the women wear hose. It actually bothers me b/c I have very pale skin and very dark hair – if I don’t shave every morning, you can really tell. I also have a mild skin condition. If I wear a pair of not-too-sheer pantyhose, neither of these things are obvious, but I would never feel comfortable going bare-legged. When I wear hose, though, I often get comments like “you must be the last person alive still wearing pantyhose” from other women, in not-too-subtle hints that I’m being too conservative for the unofficial dress-code rules they have worked out. I end up wearing pants way more than I would like.
Deborah King
The more skin you show, the less authority you have! Can you imagine men having a conversation about toe cleavage and bare legs in the office? Dressing for work is different than dressing for leisure. I live in Texas and even in the heat of the summer I don’t feel properly dressed without hose. I actually find that I stay cooler since my skin is not directly touching. I love Victoria Secret hosiery. They are light and have great color options. For those who do opt for bare legs, make sure your gooming is tip top and your legs are free from any defects. Hosiery works like makeup for the legs!
C
panty hose are OK for me if it is, say less than 80F…. they do keep you warm to an extent….they come in plenty of colors if you look around, or maybe I am the only one with “tan skin” when I am tan and “nude” skin when I am not. Without them, I wear insoles in my shoes…L’eggs has some I think and a few of the companies that make foot powder. The insoles keep your shoes fresh and I also have baby powder at my desk to add if I need a little something extra. This is a temperate climate.. if I were in the semi tropics, I would not be wearing hose unless the air conditioning was too much…sometimes in the summer I need them to avoid freezing. They really do not feel uncomfortable to me, but I never wear the “control top” ones, which I do think are vise-like and worth avoiding.
Congogirl
I am in the veritable tropics, not the semi tropics, but I work in a USG environment and I wear knee highs with my pants for comfort with close-toed shoes. If my toenails are manicured, I do wear dress sandals to work, obviously without hose. Mostly I wear pantsuits, which, while warm, do not compromise my professionalism. I do not wear skirt suits (yet anyway) because I do not feel comfortable exposing so much leg here, but if I did, I would wear hose. Insoles is a great idea, thanks for the recommendation.
Andrea
I have Dr. Scholl’s Sole Expressions inserts in most of my shoes that I wear without socks or hose. I think I got them at Target. They aren’t designed to absorb sweat, but I find that my feet sweat WAY less in them because the inserts are fabric and I think it helps them breathe more. If your feet sweat a lot even with socks on, though, these probably won’t help.
http://www.drscholls.com/drscholls/productSearch.do?method=doProductDetailsLookup&searchArg=50
I’ve also tried the Kiwi fresh’ins. I like them but not as much as the Dr. Scholl’s ones because they aren’t stuck to your shoe so don’t always stay in place. They’d be a good option, though, if you don’t want to stick anything to your shoe.
Once I tried the odor eaters inserts…. never again. They swelled up and stuck to my feet. I had to toss them after one wear. I don’t think they are designed for bare feet.
If sweat isn’t an issue for you but blisters are, I’ve gotten through a few long days as a bridesmaid by rubbing Body Glide all over my feet. It’s an anti-chafing thing for runners. I think the Dr. Scholl’s stick (it looks like a big tube of lip balm) is basically the same thing but marketed for women & foot care.
CT
I do think hose is a bit old fashioned, I’m in my mid 40’s live in the southeast, and don’t remember the last time I wore hose stockings or whatever you want to call it, feel very comfortable and free, dresscode at my work is not that strict, and most of the younger coworker go bare too, in my case the sweat issue is controlled with baby powder that I keep in my desk, as for the toe cleavage issue, it can be sexy as well as the pump model is not too trashy
Skratch
Listen girls! its all lovely to a guy, who cares about toe cleavage or bare legs, guys love all of it!
CS
I don’t think toe cleavage is much of a big deal. And no one really thinks about it anyway. Closed toe shoes are required; therefore, you see most of the women wear pumps, Mary Jane’s, and other heels. Stockings/hose are rarely worn. It’s best to wear all leather footwear and stay away from any manmade materials that come in contact with the skin. I see it all the time from the ones that wear manmade materials, always have sweaty feet issues. Sometimes their feet start to slip around while walking do to the moisture. The rub begins! And those our the ones that tend to have their shoes off in the office or half way off. Foot odor is also and issue at times.
Jason Grey
Speak for yourselves guys.
The whole barefoot, toe cleavage, pump thing is just sloppy. If you want to go barefoot wear sandals or any open toed heel. If you wear pump make sure they fit properly and cover up that toe cleavage.
Anonymous
Well for starters, toe cleavage exists because shoe designers made their products so said cleavage could be shown, second, women everywhere are buying pumps with low cut vamp by the dozens because is inn in fashion terms, and thir, it IS REALLY SEXY to see women wear such pumps bare.
All you have to see is photos of those galas and parties, and you can see all those women wearing their shoes without any hoisery at all
Holland Banks
Boy am I glad to know that I’m not the only one with the sweaty shoe issue. I havent had the chance to look back through all of the comments bur did anyone happen to find a good camel shoe insert brand? That some info that I’d definitely like to spread around.
Beck
Bare feet in pumps and toe cleavage is absolutely acceptable! I just came from a meeting in at a U.S. Federal Courtroom, where there were three women, all reputable attorneys, who were all wearing high heels with bare feet and without any hose whatsoever, and with each one of them having varying degrees of toe cleavage and arch cleavage with their heels. These women were all sharply and professionally dressed, one in a conservative pant-suit and the other two in smart looking skirt/suit outfits, and I must admit the bare feet in high heels with toe cleavage looked quite attractive on each of them, but was in no way whatsoever inappropriate. One of them even had two bandaids on the backs of her bare heels from where her high heels looked to have been rubbing blisters, but it was not the least bit troubeling. If those ladies can sport bare feet in high heels showing toe cleavage in front of a U.S. Federal Judge, and still convey the image and very essence of professionalism, then there is no reason why anyone should have any doubt about how completely acceptable and appropriate it is for women to wear heels without any hose. In fact, I dare say its quite standard both around the office and in the court rooms here for women to wear high heels without hose, and almost no one would ever think otherwise.
Michael Swanson
I adore women who wear flats and pumps that show toe cleavage. It’s a trend that comes and goes, but one I wish would stick around. How could someone think this style is not appropriate for the workplace?
We need more toe cleavage, not less. It’s in good taste and very sexy in most cases. Of course there can be too much cleavage shown, but most shoes are designed to show a tasteful amount. Now if only I could get my wife to wear such shoes . . . topic for a different discussion I guess!
Anonymous
women worry to much…. TOE CLEAVAGE ARE YOU SERIOUS? NO ONE CARES, OR WILL EVER THINK TWICE ABOUT IT. SOME PEOPLE LIKE FEET AND HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH IT EITHER…
Anonymous
FEET IN THE WORKPLACE… NEVER HEARD OF ANYONE EVER CARING ABOUT THIS ISSUE… HEELS AND FEET ARE FINE FOR WORK, MOST PEOPLE CARE ABOUT YOUR BREASTS,FACE,ASS,…FEET REALLY?
Kim
I think toe cleavage is just fine for office wear. Most of my heels show some and Ive never had a boss say anything to me.I think its a sexy look and go out of my way to buy them.Classic Pumps is a great to look.
Reginia Lindskog
I am glad to be one of the visitants on this great internet site (:, appreciate it for posting .
saralyn
I can’t imagine wearing nylons with pumps.I used to do it and i always felt like my feet were too hot.I love toe cleavage.I know guys in my office look at my feet just to see what kind of shoes im wearing and if they can see my toe rings..I guess im lucky because when im meeting witha client i always keep my shoes on but when im alone in the office im barefoot and the bosses dont care.In the summer it would be impossibel to wear pantyhose.
Christian Louboutain
To me toe cleavage is sexy. Most of my high heels, pumps, and stilletos have toe cleavage. It’s all around where ever I go. Nylons and socks are ecchhh.
David
My South Asian girlfriend is only 5′-1″ and 83 lbs., and prefers to wear very very high heels to work, mostly so that she’s not perceived as a pre-teen. She is a big fan of strappy sandals and open-toed shoes because they are apparently much more comfortable. But I do tell her it doesn’t look very professional to do that, particularly with colored toenails. Of course, professionalism is 99% how you behave rather than how you look; that being said, I’ve suggested she go to work in much more modest shoes.
Amy
I’m very impressed! A safe place for us to talk about shoes and feet without creepos coming in and telling us how hot it is. UGH!
My answer: if your shoes are nice and fit well, toe cleavage is fine. And regarding stockings/nylons going out of style? Some things never go out of style in a professional setting. At some point, the fashion gossip becomes comical.
My $0.02!
P.S. if your work shoes start to stink, put them in a plastic grocery bag and put it in the freezer overnight. It’s not permanent, but it helps.
Lizzie
My feet sweat in the winter time when I’m already cold and make me colder. I started spraying aerosol deodorant on my toes and the bottom of my feet. It works really well. I do it in the summer now inside closed toe shoes. Give it a try. I also feel compelled to say that flats are better for your body and positive heels throw off our alignment all the way to our heads. Katy Bowman has an excellent blog and publications about it. Sorry, had to say it because there’s really no good reason to cripple ourselves.