One shoe, a million styles: how to style Peep Toe Sandals

The star of the show: The Peep Toe

The peep toe silhouette is easily the best of both worlds.

They're the silhouette that works when flip flops are too casual and closed-toe feels too heavy. The perfect middle ground that I find myself reaching for over and over again.

I actually wrote a whole blog about where peep toes came from because I'm genuinely fascinated by how this silhouette became so uniquely versatile but fun fact they were considered scandalous at one point, you can read that blog here. 

The design itself is brilliant—just enough openness to keep your feet cool and comfortable, but with the structure and coverage that makes them appropriate for nearly any occasion. You can wear them with jeans, cocktail dresses, skirts, and trousers. 

Over the years of designing and wearing Womads, I've discovered what works, what doesn't, and all the little styling tricks that make peep toes feel intentional. 

Why Peep Toes Work for Everything

The Sweet Spot Between Casual and Formal

Peep toes are like denim—they can be dressed down or dressed up, depending on what you pair them with. 

Boyfriend jeans with a simple tee? Your peep toes become the comfortable, flexible shoe that pulls the whole look together. The open toe keeps things relaxed while the structured silhouette adds just enough polish to make it look like you know what you’re doing. 

It's my go-to Saturday uniform, effortless but never sloppy. 

Switch to black or dark wash jeans with a fitted blouse, or, what I love, a button up and suddenly those same peep toes feel formal. The darker denim elevates the entire look, and the peep toe adds just enough interest to keep it from feeling too corporate or stiff.Same shoes with completely different energy, and that's my favorite part of peep toes. They easily adapt to your styling choices.

Show Off the Silhouette

Here's a styling trick I learned early on: If you are wearing a shoe that is a fun color or print, don’t let it compete. Choose pants or skirts that cut off with enough space to let the shoes breathe.

I'm also obsessed with how peep toes look with wide-leg trousers. 

There's something about that sweeping effect—you get just a peek of your shoes as you walk, its elegant and intentional. 

Every step reveals a little more. It's almost cinematic, the way the fabric moves and your shoes appear and disappear with each stride.

The key with wide-leg trousers is where the fabric hits your shoe. You want a slight break, just enough that the hem skims the top of your peep toe. You don’t want to go too long or you lose the entire silhouette of the shoe. 

Straight-leg cuts offer a clean line from hip to shoe, letting your peep toes be the visual endpoint without competition. No fuss, just flow. This is the most classic pairing—it's been working for decades because it just works. The straight line of the jean creates a long, lean silhouette, and your peep toes become the perfect way to end it off. 

Office Shoes (If You Can Wear Open-Toe)

Okay, this section is for you if your office allows open-toe shoes. And if it doesn't? Think upscale dinners, client meetings, conferences—anywhere you need to look polished without feeling stiff. You can also check out our Oxford Collection and our styling Oxfords blog here.

I've never been a fan of closed toe pointed shoes. They feel stuffy, and my toes feel squished. 

Peep toes bring personality to your workwear without crossing into too casual territory.

They work with wide-leg trousers, straight-leg cuts, even ankle-length pants. Womads uses high quality leather to keep your shoe breathable so your feet aren’t sweating all day long. Trust me, your feet won't be screaming by the time you get home. (We've all been there—the 5pm shoe removal the moment you walk through your door because your feet are done.)

The breathability of peep toes is underrated. That small opening at the front makes a significant difference in comfort, especially during summer months or in offices with inconsistent air conditioning. Your feet stay cooler, which means they stay more comfortable throughout the day.

Neutral peep toes (black and  cognac) are your foundation—they go with everything. Perfect for the office, keeping it polished, keeping it professional. I wear my black peep toes to almost every formal meeting. 

Cognac peep toes are slightly warmer and softer. They work beautifully with earth tones, creams, and even darker colors when you want a lighter touch. I reach for my tan peep toes when I'm wearing lighter-colored trousers or when I want my outfit to feel less severe.

Peep Toes and Dresses

I love my peep toes for weddings and events. Let's take a moment to appreciate that we went from casual jeans to wedding guest—and the same shoe works for both. That's the beauty of this silhouette.

They work with every dress length. Every occasion. I've tested this extensively (occupational hazard of designing shoes).Bridal showers, cocktail events, formal weddings, casual brunches—peep toes have shown up and performed incredible every single time.

Shorter Dresses:

Peep toes add elegance and elongate your legs without the formality of a heel. The open toe balances the shorter hemline—flirty without feeling too bare. Mini dresses can sometimes feel too casual but pairing them with a structured shoe like peep toes immediately adds a layer to the outfit and it also can be the way you dress it up or down depending on the color you choose. The proportion is important here. A mini dress already shows a lot of leg, so you don't want a delicate, strappy sandal that disappears—you need a shoe with presence. Peep toes provide that presence without being heavy or clunky and still feel super feminine. 

Maxi Dresses:

Let your peep toes show as you walk. The long hemline sweeps the ground, and every step reveals a flash of shoe—subtle, elegant, intentional. There's something romantic about it and I love it.Depending on the dress, I like to either match my peep toes to a color in the dress or I gravitate towards Brilliant Gold, it adds shine but is still on the neutral side, making it super easy to style. 

I love wearing bold colored peep toes with maxi dresses. You get these unexpected pops of color as you walk. It's a styling detail that feels considered without being obvious.

For formal evening events, metallic peep toes under a maxi dress feel luxurious. The way they catch light as you move adds dimension and interest to what could otherwise be a simple silhouette.

Similar to maxi dress, maxi skirts can also be a great option to pair with your peep toes.

A night out with your peep toes.

When the Occasion Calls for More

Peep toes can absolutely hold their own for evening events—cocktail parties, dinners, date nights. I've worn mine to everything from gallery openings to rooftop dinners, and they've never let me down.

There's a misconception that evening events require heels—specifically stilettos or platforms. But peep toes, especially in the right color or finish, can be just as elegant and often far more comfortable. You can actually enjoy your evening instead of counting down the minutes until you can take your shoes off.

One Silhouette, More Than One Possibility

You don't need a closet full of shoes. You need the right ones—and you need to know how to style them.

From morning meetings to evening cocktails. From denim to silk. From casual Saturdays to wedding guest elegance.The peep toe is a silhouette that moves through it all.

This is the philosophy behind Womads—fewer but better things. Shoes that work hard, look beautiful, and last for years. Shoes that earn their place in your closet because you actually wear them, not because you thought you might wear them someday.

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