The Peep-Toe Boots Resurgence Is the Biggest Surprise of London Fashion Week (So Far)
Our take
The unexpected return of the peep-toe boot at London Fashion Week is a fascinating development, and one that speaks to a broader shift in how we perceive and embrace trends. Few predicted this resurgence; our own reporting anticipated slouchy suede and cowboy styles would dominate If You Want Compliments, Elevate Your Jewellery Collection With These Cool Girl-Approved Brands, reflecting a desire for grounded, textural pieces. Yet, the peep-toe, a style often associated with a more overtly provocative and early 2000s aesthetic, has re-emerged, suggesting a willingness to revisit and reimagine past trends with a contemporary lens. This isn't about a wholesale revival of the early aughts; rather, it's a selective adoption, a curated nod to a previous era filtered through a modern sensibility. It’s a subtle rebellion against the prevailing mood of quiet comfort, a hint of playful daring that feels surprisingly refreshing. The timing also aligns with a broader cyclical pattern in fashion; what was once deemed dated often returns, subtly transformed and imbued with new meaning.
The key, it seems, lies in the *way* the peep-toe is being styled. It's no longer the overtly flashy, often paired with low-rise jeans, that defined its previous iteration. Instead, we're seeing it integrated into more sophisticated looks – worn with tailored trousers, midi skirts, and even under wide-leg denim. This pairing elevates the boot, softening its potentially jarring edge and aligning it with the prevailing mood of understated elegance. Consider the parallel to the current fascination with Hollywood glamour, as exemplified by Oliver Peoples’ recent campaign Oliver Peoples Fall 2026 Delivers Hollywood Glamour – a revival of a timeless aesthetic. The peep-toe, in this context, becomes a subtle accent, a touch of unexpected personality rather than the focal point of the ensemble. It’s a quiet confidence, a knowing wink, and a rejection of the pressure to constantly reinvent the wheel. The willingness to embrace a trend that was once considered “out” also reflects a broader cultural shift towards celebrating individuality and personal style over rigid adherence to current dictates.
The resurgence also prompts a reflection on the concept of "expensive-looking" style, particularly as explored in pieces like My Best Friend Asked Me to Create Her An Expensive-Looking Autumn Capsule—I Sent Her These 7 Affordable Buys. While investment pieces certainly contribute to a polished aesthetic, the ability to confidently incorporate unexpected elements, like a peep-toe boot, demonstrates a deeper understanding of style – a discernment that transcends mere price points. It’s about knowing how to mix and match, how to elevate a look with a touch of personality, and how to wear something with conviction, regardless of its origin. This speaks to the growing appreciation for curated wardrobes built on a foundation of timeless staples, punctuated by carefully chosen, often unexpected, pieces that reflect individual taste. The peep-toe's return isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about embracing the freedom to experiment and express oneself through fashion.
Ultimately, the peep-toe boot's unexpected reappearance at London Fashion Week signals a fascinating tension within the current fashion landscape: a desire for both comfort and a touch of playful rebellion, for timeless elegance and a willingness to revisit the past. It's a reminder that trends are cyclical, and that true style lies in the ability to adapt and reinterpret them with a contemporary perspective. The question now is: will this resurgence remain a subtle accent, or will the peep-toe evolve into a defining silhouette of the season, and more importantly, how will it be integrated into wardrobes beyond the runway?
Team Marie Claire didn't have the resurgence of the peep-toe boots trend on our Fashion Month bingo card. Fall's It boots report said to expect slouchy, suede, and cowboy styles at London Fashion Week, but locals on the street style circuit always keep us on our toes. Their Spring/Summer 2027 surprise? Pedicure-revealing boots that could've been plucked from a 2010s time capsule (or Kylie Jenner's archives).
London Fashion Week opened on a 70-degree day, a forecast that called for open-toe footwear options like flip-flops or toe-ring sandals (of which the post-show scene showed no shortage, either). Maintaining its reputation as the most experimental Fashion Week, showgoers left predictable pairs in the dust, instead breaking out their throwback boots.
Yes, the divisive hybrid design defies seasons, but that's not to say the fashion people outside the shows weren't styling the boots in a fall-worthy way. The peep-toe silhouette resurfaced in all shades and finishes, including glossy black croc with a subtle turquoise sheen. One guest committed to an all-black color story, from the coat beneath their horsebit belt to the curved wedges of their peep-toe boots.
Meanwhile, another showgoer gave them a daytime twist, wearing a goes-with-everything white tank top, a sage green blazer, the Bermuda shorts trend, and suede knee-highs. See? Londoners aren't just proving they're year-round shoes, but that peep-toe boots can complement minimalist and maximalist aesthetics, too.
Believe it or not, a shoe trend this niche—one that Balenciaga and McQueen made famous in Fall 2007 and Spring 2011, respectively—is still evolving. Even now, fashion people are playing with ways to wear the somewhat restrictive silhouette.
On Day 1 of LFW, another guest slipped a pair of thigh-high socks beneath their lace-up, peep-toe boots. Not only did the tomato-red tint highlight the open-toes and heels, but it brought a New York Fashion Week color trend across the pond. This showgoer coupled their unmissable socks-and-boots combination with an equally daring turtleneck dress and a Valentino tote in the same cool-toned crimson color as their hosiery.
It's been a minute since peep-toe boots click-clacked down a designer's runway, but they're alive in the hearts (and closets) of trendsetters with an affinity for nostalgia. While Tom Ford, Balenciaga, and McQueen showcased the It shoes in 2010s fashion shows, it was celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Rihanna that made them a fixture of the decade's fashion. Kardashian, for example, sported the silhouette on repeat in 2016. Most of her takes on the trend were skintight, including one with laces that stretched from her pale pink pedicure to her thighs.
By 2019, Victoria Beckham had given the cross between boots and peep-toe pumps her stamp of approval. The creative director didn't just design them for her eponymous fashion brand; she also added them to her personal shoe rack. In a matter of months, Beckham debuted new peep-toe boots in burgundy, tomato red, butter yellow, and even leopard print.
Keeping the peep-toe trend from bordering on outdated, Jenner sampled flip-flops-turned-boots from Sportmax in 2023. She did the same with knee-high black Jacquemus boots as recently as 2024.
Believe it or not, Cardi B even endorsed the trend's comeback while filming her music video for "AH HA." What's more, her black knee-highs appeared to feature flip-flop-style separators between each toe.
Jenner's boots featured thong sandal-type toe boxes that showed more skin than the pairs in Kardashian's or Beckham's archives. However, it seems the London Fashion Week crowd is drawing direct inspiration from the peep-toe boot trend's beginnings.
Whether you're heading to Milan or Paris Fashion Week, or simply want to widen your horizons before boots season takes over, don't be afraid to try the similar styles below.
Shop the Peep-Toe Boots Trend Inspired by London Fashion Week
Read on the original site
Open the publisher's page for the full experience