toe cleavage

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence The phrase 'toe cleavage' is correct and usable in English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which toes can be seen poking out of shoes, sandals, or other footwear. For example: "The woman at the bar had an impressive amount of toe cleavage in her strappy sandals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

They flaunt toe cleavage.

The New York Times

Even toe cleavage is deeper.

The New York Times

It was semi-pointy-toed, so I had toe cleavage.

The New York Times - Magazine

If you're a woman, you must show no toe cleavage, no stacked heels.

The New York Times - Style

References to Manolos and toe cleavage have become nearly as common as cell phones on New York streets.

The New York Times - Books

For the sake of better "toe cleavage," as it is known to the fashion-conscious, women are risking permanent disability, according to many orthopedists and podiatrists.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Today's ultimate pleasure/pain stiletto is the pigalle by Christian Louboutin with its 120mm spiked heel, toe-cleavage-revealing point and scarlet sole.

The Guardian

Sling backs, pointed and low-cut toe-cleavage shoes are elongating to the foot and leg, so you look taller.

WikiHow

Women need to avoid platform flip-flops, belly-button piercings, toe rings, cleavage, low-riding jeans if they're chubby (we're talking to you, London, England), thongs, shirts made to look like tattoos, cowboy hats, fake tans, and Von Dutch.

Vice

That said, they wouldn't let us in the room, so all we can assume is the highly-trained technicians are no more than avid masturbators with lenses trained on camel toes and cleavage.

Vice

Thickening waistlines, shortening legs, removing any hint of cleavage (toe or otherwise), the look, perhaps, was right at home with polite company.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using more technical or descriptive terms like "low-cut vamp" or "open-toe design" for clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "toe cleavage" in formal or academic writing unless you are specifically analyzing fashion trends. It's generally considered an informal term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "toe cleavage" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically used to describe a specific aesthetic feature of footwear. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing shoe styles and fashion trends.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

5%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "toe cleavage" is a noun phrase used to describe the amount of toe exposure in footwear, as identified by Ludwig. While grammatically correct and common in fashion contexts, it’s best reserved for informal settings. Alternatives like "open-toe design" may be more suitable for formal use. As confirmed by Ludwig, "toe cleavage" appears most frequently in news and media, indicating its role in describing fashion trends and styles. When employing the phrase "toe cleavage", ensure the context aligns with fashion-related discussions or descriptions of shoe styles. As the frequency of "toe cleavage" in business or formal contexts is low, consider alternative, more technical terms when writing professionally.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Peep-toe shoes

Refers to a specific style of shoe with a small opening for the toes.

Open-toe shoe fashion

Focuses on the fashion aspect of shoes that have an open toe.

Exposed toes footwear

Directly indicates footwear that allows the toes to be seen.

Shoe vamp exposure

Focuses on the part of the shoe that reveals the foot, similar to how "toe cleavage" describes the toe exposure.

Revealing toe style

Highlights the style of footwear that intentionally shows part of the toes.

Low-cut shoe design

Describes the design of the shoe, which results in toe exposure.

Sandal exposure

Describes the level of exposure provided by sandals.

Visible toe detail

Highlights the visibility of the toes as a detail in footwear.

Minimalist shoe coverage

Refers to shoes that offer very little coverage, showing more of the foot.

Barely-there shoe style

Emphasizes the minimal design of shoes that provide very little coverage.

FAQs

What does "toe cleavage" refer to in fashion?

"Toe cleavage" refers to the amount of toe exposure visible in certain shoe styles, particularly those with a low-cut vamp. It's a term often used in the context of women's footwear.

Is "toe cleavage" an appropriate term to use in professional settings?

While the term "toe cleavage" is widely understood in fashion contexts, it's generally best to avoid using it in professional or formal settings. More descriptive terms like "open-toe design" or "low-cut shoe" may be more suitable.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "toe cleavage"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "open-toe shoes", "low-cut shoe design", or "revealing toe style" to describe the same feature in footwear.

How has the perception of "toe cleavage" in shoes changed over time?

Historically, the acceptability of "toe cleavage" has varied with fashion trends. Some sources even mention that at one point, showing no "toe cleavage" was considered more professional. Today, it's a common design element in various shoe styles, though its appropriateness can still depend on the setting.