Open-toe shoes are a favorite among those with wider feet. Along with adding breathability, the open-toe box takes pressure off the top of the foot.
Whatever your foot type, you’ll likely find peep-toe shoes more comfortable than closed, pointed-toe shoes. While these shoes are more comfortable than the average heel, you can take a few steps to add comfort.
A variety of peep-toe and open-toe shoe silhouettes
Comfort Tips for Wearing Open-Toe and Peep-Toe Shoes
If you’re wearing peep-toe shoes (with the first and second toe visible), you can tape the third and fourth toe together. This tip relieves pressure on the bottom of your foot and can make peep-toe heels more comfortable.
A nerve connects your third and fourth toes, which causes foot pain when agitated. While this tip doesn’t work for open-toe shoes, it’s perfect for peep-toes.
A screenshot from Maison Olomi’s YouTube channel showing how to tape the third and fourth toes to relieve pressure from the soles of the feet
Protecting and Maintaining Your Open-Toe Shoes
For anyone lucky enough to own a pair of designer open-toe shoes, such as Christian Louboutin peep-toe stilettoes, it’s worth visiting a cobbler.
A rubber sole on the bottom of your shoes can make them more comfortable and easier to walk in, especially with a higher heel.
Self-Adhesive Rubber Anti-Slip Shoe Grips, $8.49 on Amazon
Choosing the Right Fit and Size
Before you take your open-toe shoes for their first night on the town, make sure you wear them first. You can give them a test drive at home for a few hours before their first outing or place a shoe stretcher inside.
Eachway Shoe Stretcher, $22.99 on Amazon
Breaking in Your Open-Toe Shoes
If you buy a pair of open-toe shoes that are a little too tight, try wearing them with thick socks to help break them in and stretch the shoes. Wearing the shoes around the house with socks should help stretch them.
If you’re determined to make them fit, you can blast a blow dryer over the shoes for several minutes while wiggling your toes.
A screenshot from Lisa Pullano’s YouTube channel showing how to stretch and break in shoes using thick socks and a blow dryer
When wearing peep-toe shoes, make sure they fit perfectly. If your shoes are too big, friction can quickly result in a blister around your toes.
Don’t be afraid to try half-sizes when buying open-toe shoes, especially if you traditionally size up for pointed-toe shoes.
Jennifer Lawrence (left) wears way too big shoes, while Suki Waterhouse (right) curls up her toes in her tiny open-toe heels (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / Apega / Mario Mitsis / WENN)
A little-known tip about shoe shopping is that trying shoes on in the evening is always best. Our feet swell by the end of the day because of walking around and putting pressure on them.
If you can, it’s best to wait to try shoes on until later in the day, as you can consider the natural swelling of your feet when choosing a size.
You should always have a pair of silicone gel inserts for any pair of shoes. Gel inserts slip inside your shoe, where the balls of your feet would be, and help support your feet while standing or walking all day.
Silicone Gel Heel Cup Pads, $19.95 on Amazon
Consider starting with a block heel if you struggle with walking in open-toe shoes. This thicker heel is easier to walk in and provides more support than a slim stiletto.
Likewise, it helps to know what heel height you’re comfortable walking in. This height will vary from person to person, but we each have our tolerance level, which usually depends on the pitch and arch of the heel as well as the height.
Iggy Azalea (left) in block-heeled peep-toe booties and Kristen Stewart (right) in stiletto peep-toe pumps (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / Apega / Mario Mitsis / WENN)
Styling Open-Toe Shoes for Different Occasions
A pair of open-toe shoes is a must-have in your closet for warmer months. While they require a little more thoughtful styling than closed-toe shoes, peep-toes are a sexy alternative to pointed shoes and are perfect for less formal weddings and nights out to the club.
If you work in a professional office or tend to have more formal occasions, a pair of patent-leather peep-toe shoes will be more versatile than their open-toe cousin.
Open-toe shoes are a must-have for those with wider feet, and you can style them year-round.