Peep-toe bootie seems a shoo-in as a fall trend

NEW YORK — These boots are made for baring — a little toe, that is.

For summer lovers who just can't embrace autumn styles yet, consider the peep-toe bootie a transitional model.

With an '80s vibe, designers have created this twist on the shoe bootie that was last year's must-have item. Now, with heels chunky or slim, in black leather or head-turning purple suede, they come with a small toe opening or with lots of artful cutouts that show some top-of-the-foot skin.

"They have the cool factor because they're leather, they're sleek and have a lot of hardware like studs and grommets," says Michelle McCool, fashion director of Cosmopolitan magazine, which features the booties in its September issue. "They're edgy and modern."

And while you may be wondering what exactly this shoe is, Gregg Andrews, a fashion director for Nordstrom, likens it to a hybrid of the classic peep-toe pump, the gladiator sandal and the bootie.

"It's sort of the merging of three great shoe styles into one," he says.

McCool adds: "You get more bang for your buck."

The bootie will keep your look current while adding a touch of sex appeal, she says. "The openness of the toe makes it sexy. And most of them are on a high heel, and that's sexy."

While feet still are likely to be bare in the booties right now, you don't have to put them away when the temperatures cool. Add tights or leggings, and wear them through the colder months.

And the really good news? There were even more peep-toe booties on the runways during the recent New York Fashion Week previews of next spring's styles.

"Open-toe booties seem popular as the rush to wear a total boot does not play well with our global warming," says Candy Pratts Price, executive fashion director at Style.com. "Also, I believe the gladiator sandal was so popular that it is slowly evolving into a boot with still some openness."

She warns that not all of them are surefire hits, and one needs to choose carefully to complement clothes and personal style.

The booties, which often exude toughness, lend themselves to many of the overall trends for this season, including the rocker and the futuristic warrior.

A less aggressive version would have feminine ruffles or cutouts, suggests Jennifer Gosselin, Piperlime's vice president and general manager.

Not one of these is for the shrinking-violet type, though.