“Dear Shoedish,

I love peep-toe shoes, but my toes are strangely too small for them. When I put on a pair of peep-toes, my toes don’t reach to the end, so it looks like I’m toeless. Is this a common problem? Do you have any tips? I love peep-toes, but it just doesn’t seem like I’ll ever get to wear them. Help!!

Thanks, The Toeless Shoe Lover”

Believe it or not, the problem of peep-toe shoe wearing in individuals with tapered toes is a relatively common one. Tapered toes are toes that taper off, like stairs, following the big toe. The 2nd toe is usually much shorter than the big toe, the 3rd shorter than the 2nd, and so on. Peep-toes are easily worn by people with a Morton’s Toe - which used to be considered a foot disorder, but is actually relatively common - and a 3rd toe that is about the same length as the big toe and a tapered 4th and 3rd toe. But if your 2nd and 3rd toe is shorter than your big toe, they can be hidden in the average peep-toe because peep-toes usually peekaboo the 2nd and 3rd toes. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do. You can’t buy a smaller size shoe because your big toe will always prevent you from squeezing, even in the name of fashion. Open toes are an option for people with tapered toes. We realize that open toes aren’t peep-toes, of course, but they give you the same toe cleavage baring feel of peep-toes. You can also look for tapered peep-toes or a peep-toe that has a larger window, giving your big toe more wiggle room. If you can find a peep-toe that allows your big toe to slide forward through the window, you’ll also be able to adjust your smaller toes accordingly. But, you didn’t think shoedish would really let you go with a few random tips and no real answer, did you? If it’s a peep-toe for taper toes you want then it’s a peep-toe for tapered toes you shall get. We had to get a little crafty flexible here, but alas…here are a few picks.

The keyhole woven flat from Irregular Choice. If your toes are really short, this peeped keyhole will show them off well.

Open toed booties are the trend for 2008. These Givenchy slingback open toe booties might not be true “peep-toes” but they’ll allow tapered toe owners to join the peekaboo toe movement by allowing the big toe to adjust, which will allow the smaller toes to move forward.

Again, not technically a peep-toe, but how could you resist an open-toe from Manolo Blahnik that looks like this? Peep-toe…open toe…it’s all arbitrary really, right?

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Nice & Tight from Office

Originally uploaded by shoedish

We sold our sole to the devil in exchange for these shoes. Can you really blame us? What’s an eternity of fire and brimstone compared to a lifetime of completely selfish shoe pleasure? These pretty peep-toe platform slingbacks from Nice & Tight are available at Office for $128. We love the slick, heavy metal look of these motorcycle inspired platforms. They’re a little vampy and hardcore, but their versatility is palpable; these rad platforms would look good with anything from skinny jeans and leggings to pretty dresses and formal shorts. Visit Office for their mid-season sale, up to 50% off select shoes!!!

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Nina Dolls

Originally uploaded by shoedish

It’s going to be a furry furry fall when it comes to shoewear and everyone from Land Rover to Mia Shoes is jumping on board. The feel of warm outerwear can’t help but influence fall and winter fashion trends, so it’s no surprise that it would influence the seasons shoes as well. Ever since Ugg Australia exploded onto the scene with their shearling lined boots designers have been adding fur to everything from purses and leather jackets to cuffs and hats. Shearling is being used in an eclectic arrangement. Land Rover is touting boots with shearling-lined shafts, while Te Casan keeps it simple and versatile by adding the fur to the interior, but allowing the interior to be folded over. We’re loving these shearling-piped ankle boots from Nina Dolls. The leather straps and crackled brown leather give these boots a rugged winter appeal, while the peeping fur and sleek almond toe add a classic high fashion designer charm.

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Paris Hilton Gladiator

Originally uploaded by shoedish

After I’d finished a 15-minute bitchfest and subsequently calmed my roommate after the outburst I was able to quell the urge to puke? Why the outburst you ask? Why so moody? Oh, just some more disgusting news on Reality TV personalities, namely Heidi Montag, launching a fashion line. “Heidiwood for Anchor Blue” will launch on April 15, 2008. I’ll pause to allow you all to projectile vomit (watch the shoes, please). Thank goodness that The Heidiwood collection doesn’t include any shoes…at least not yet. The last thing shoedish needs is to be wallowing in her hypocrisy over “liking” celebrity shoe lines. And on that note, here are some shoes we actually like from Paris Hilton Footwear. Hypocrite? Yeah, so. We won’t be buying them, but we know lots of girls and boys who would die to have them, and isn’t part of our job sharing shoe news with the shoe masses.

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Snuggs

Originally uploaded by shoedish

Aussie Soles is the best (or the worst, depending on how you look at it) of Ugg and Crocs. It copies what Ugg Australia does for cold weather wear and uses the comfortable inspiration of Crocs to finish it off. What could be better than a Croc crossed by an Ugg? Starfish, Puggles, and Lattes are all wonderful examples of the successful science of crossbreeding, right? We’ll let you just sit with that for a second. In the meantime here is some industry news. Craig Taplin is set to take over as President and CEO of the Aussie Soles Footwear company and he seems to think that a little color and flavor can combine together to enhance the companies three title editions: Snuggs, Starfish, and Marines. Aussie Soles unique materials and design Aussie Soles (TM) is setting itself apart from the competition. The “closed cell polymer” footwear phenomenon has exploded, which we’ve seen with Crocs, but Aussie Soles is touting an improved product. By introducing its own hard sole, Auslite (TM) it stands to set itself above current industry leaders. We shall see…

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This one was a little tricky for The Shoe Dish. We’ve been wanting to post this shoe star for some time, but had to do it a bit strategically because of some tell tale markings that can easily give it away. If that hint didn’t give it away, here’s another. Look at those little feet very carefully. Who is this week’s celebrity shoe star? Take a wild guess…

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