Some women hate it. Some women can’t get enough of it. And some, like me, tolerate it in moderation–which, give me some toe cleavage as long as my shoes aren’t going to fly off my feet if I want to move a little faster.

Take the shoe on the left–gorgeous, no? You might recognize the design from the Sigerson Morrison collection–there’s a whole line of these flats, in plush velvets and shiny leathers, with gorgeous glass beads on the vamp (btw, these brown ones are currently on sale at Neiman Marcus). I really, really, really want to like these shoes. Everything about them indicates fashion, luxe, beauty, sophistication, and the lack of heel is a gentle nod to comfort.

However, there are two problems for me: the flatter-than-the-Texas-panhandle sole, which, at least for me, is pretty uncomfortable (no arch support!); and the HUGE toe-cleavage allowed by the vamp. That shoe is destined hang on for dear life to your tootsies. I’m a fast walker; I doubt I can keep these on for more than a few seconds without much toe-curling and general discomfort. As about orthotics? Forget it. They will clamp out of these shoes faster than you can say Sigerson Morrison. I have a relatively similar pair of Delman ballet flats that turned out to be pretty much unbearable for exactly this reason.

And what is it about toe-cleavage anyway? I know a woman’s feet are supposed to be sexy when properly displayed–so the ‘cleavage’ is a tease, a glimpse of nudity in a place no one would consider over-the-top otherwise. And you know–I’m not totally opposed to the idea as long as, you know, I can actually walk in those shoes.

Sigerson Morrison designs flats with ample, copious, over-the-top toe cleavage. His ballet flats are elongated, delicate, slim, dainty, ultra-feminine, in beautiful gleaming colors and sensual textures. They are indeed a beauty to behold. However, I’m going to stay away from these ones–indeed, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep them on and I’d have to sacrifice too much of my comfort for this aethereal vision of femininity.