Inklings of fashion’s newfound foot fetish first emerged at Tory Burch, where the New York-based designer styled models in winter-ready cords, thick trousers and knitwear with toe-slit shoes for an unexpected flash of flesh.

Then, former Vetements designer Ricky Wesley Harriott extended the trend to workwear, with his subversive SRVC show held atop London’s iconic BT Tower. Here, we saw deconstructed tailoring, leathers with a futuristic feel, and decidedly office-inappropriate hot-pants and boxer-shorts – but the cotton socks covering only each models’ big toe were undoubtedly the stars of the show. It’s just the latest example of all things ugly being newly considered cool.

SRVC AW25

SRVC AW25

Meanwhile at Tokyo-founded label TOGA, creative director Yasuko Furuta also used feet as a means to play with the concept of formality. ‘I started to wonder whether formal concerns in dressing were now outdated. Whether they’d been deemed unnecessary,’ she explained in the AW25 show notes, before sending out models in sheer tights and shoes that revealed the full five digits, in some cases with faux-fur trims to boot.

TOGA AW25

TOGA AW25

And most recently, the usually more conservative, classical designers of Milan Fashion Week dared to dip their (literal) toes into the trend, too. At Prada, smart black leather loafers were slashed at the front to reveal bare feet beneath, while Fendi more subtly debuted satin peep-toe wedge mules with contrast-colour toes that immediately drew the gaze.

Prada AW25

Fendi AW25

Of course, it remains to be seen whether Paris, too, puts its best foot forward for the season ahead. But whether you find the naked toes trend titillating or downright troubling, we’d suggest it might be worth booking in for a pedi anyway, just in case.

ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE.

Clementina Jackson is Acting Site Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, working across news and features, trends, e-commerce and SEO. She was previously Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health, and Acting Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, where she was named as a PPA 30 Under 30 award winner for her work on size inclusivity. An experienced fashion, travel and luxury lifestyle journalist, Clementina has also written for Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveller, Tatler, Red and Italy Segreta.