The Rumors Are True: Peep-Toe Pumps Are Making a Chic Comeback in 2025
Just when I thought I'd seen every controversial trend under the sun making a comeback—from skinny pants to round-toe shoes—the runways go and shock me to my core with their latest revival. I'll preface this by saying that the jury is still out on my personal feelings towards the style, but there's one thing I know for sure, and that is whether I like it or not, peep-toe shoes are officially on their way back. The spring/summer 2025 collections were resolute in their support of the look, with designers across the style spectrum from Prada to Tory Burch to ACNE Studios showcasing their unique takes.
At Khaite, round-toe glove pumps were sliced right down the center to reveal a mere hint of skin. Similarly, at Tory Burch, the pumps featured conservative cutouts right at the big toes. These two specific styles are what we're already predicting to be key buys when they hit the market next season. Alternately, at Miu Miu and Prada, the silhouettes were steeped in nostalgia for the versions circa 2009 when the trend was last popular. In fact, the Prada pairs were lifted right from the archives, including a fall/winter 2008 version.
Whether you're ready to revisit the past or are excited by the modern iterations on the trend, there's no question that peep-toe shoes are on track for a noteworthy return in six months. Ahead, get the download on the peep-toe comeback, and peruse our top picks to get ahead of their inevitable 2025 peak.
On the spring 2025 runway:
Khaite also introduced a new shoe style on its spring 2025 runway: glove pumps featuring a single slit right down the center of the shoes. While any newcomer to the brand's already in-demand footwear lineup is newsworthy, designer Catherine Holstein is no stranger to a peep-toe silhouette. The brand's current-season Cedar Pumps were our first indication of this imminent revival.
When Tory Burch staged its runway show at the Domino Sugar Factory in Brooklyn during NYFW this September, editors immediately started buzzing about the peep-toe pumps that featured throughout the collection. Unlike the styles from 15 years ago, Burch's had off-kilter cutouts right at the big toe that took the style in a new and modern direction.
Prada reached into its archives and resurrected a number of popular styles from seasons past to inform its spring/summer 2025 collection. One of the most notable items? A pair of two-tone ankle-strap pumps with a small opening at the toe. They were first produced for fall/winter 2008 and returned with subtle tweaks to make them feel at once modern and nostalgic.
Clearly, peep toes are a trend Miuccia Prada is backing heavily because the designer also sent them down the Miu Miu runway this season where they showed up in colorful satin iterations and styled with leg warmers.
At Alaïa, peep-toe pumps took on a decidedly modern look in the form of square-toe silhouettes with a cutout in the shape of an upside-down V. They came in the form of heeled leather mules, flat slides, and even raffia fabrications.
If anyone can make peep-toe pumps look downright elegant, it's Carven. The versions came in the form of low-heel slides with a twisted satin upper that gave them the look of fancy slippers.
In the wild:
Here, Chloe Fineman wears a pair of Khaite Cedar Pumps to the brand's spring/summer 2025 runway show during NYFW.
The Alaïa mules come with the largest of the peep-toe cutouts, but with a sharp triangular shape, they feel altogether sleek and modern.
Scandalous! Saint Laurent's aptly named La Scandale heels are a glossy ankle-strap style with a thin slit that runs alongside their square toe.
At ACNE Studios, slingbacks were finished with a spherical peep toe and an elongated, squared-off silhouette
A closer look at the highly in-demand Alaïa mules.
In the market:
Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.
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