Fashion conondrum: peep-toe boots

I recently guest-posted on Shop It To Me about transitioning our wardrobes from winter to spring (I also posted the uncut, not-limited-to-300-words post on BlogHer, if you want to check it out – you might find it more helpful) and peep-toe boots were part of it.

Peep-toe boots have been around for a couple of years now, and in that time span they have gathered a fairly devoted following, but also a few critics. And the point they make is valid: why in the world would you put together a winter shoe, something made for cold weather (boots) with a detail that is usually reserved for a time of the year when we can expose our toes without freezing them off? Isn’t the very concept of peep-toe boot an oxymoron?

Touché. As someone who grew up surrounded by the “rules” of Italian fashion, or rather what was considered common sense when it came to clothing and accessories, I have always been a firm believer in the fact that if it’s cold enough for socks or stockings, it is most definitely not warm enough for sandals. For years I cringed, seeing German tourists wear sandals with socks, or old ladies wear stockings with sandals. Yuck.

But I have to admit the trend of wearing chunky sandals with opaque socks in winter had me intrigued, then it grew on me, and now I actually like it when done right. Mind you, not everyone can pull it off – and I already shared all this with a few lovely readers who were shocked at my recent inclusion of a Kate Spade peep-toe sandal worn with candy-colored ankle socks on this post – but it can be done right, and when it is I quite like it.

Also, when it comes to fashion the lines between the seasons are often blurred: how many women wear strappy sandals at their New year’s party, even when they live somewhere cold? (I don’t know, New York comes to mind ) And what about the now standard practice of shoe manufacturers to produce “light” boots, due to the many people wearing boots in spring and summer? After all, as Sienna Miller will tell you, there’s nothing better than the right boots to finish off your boho outfit.

As a long-time fan of peep-toes, I was quick to fall in love with this trend; and yet, after 2 years, I still haven’t acquired my own pair. Why? The usual: I haven’t found the perfect pair for me – even considering the current definition of peep-toe boots, which is somewhat foggy and includes some that look more like cutout pumps, and other that we’d normally call caged pumps or sandals. That said, if I was to finally take the plunge, here are a few that speak to me:

See anything you like? Find the Polyvore set and details here.

What about you? What’s your take on peep-toe boots?