French Pedicures: Chic or Tacky?

June 8, 2008

About two thirds of you say that French manicures are classy, but what about French pedicures? They're not my favorite, but I see quite a few women wearing them now that it's flip-flop season. What's your take?
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125 Comments

twinkletoes25 2 years

i happen to love this look.. i think its really cute! whoever doesnt like it is crazy in my opinion :)

2 years

I don't get all the hate. Would you rather that people walk around with a fungal infection? The only really gross thing you could do to your toes is not take care of them. French, neons, nudes, glitter, bare but kept--I don't care what people do to their toes as long as they're nice and neat.

3 years

They look great if the white line is relatively thin. Toenails that are too long are bad in any color (so are toenails that are overly short), so I don't think the French manicure is the problem there lol. I don't get how French is tacky; what I find gross and tacky are overly noticeable colors on the toes (like bright blue or bright pink) especially when you don't have a matching outfit- those, not french pedis, just scream "look at my toes!" and remind me of being a middle school kid and having fun painting the most random colors on my nails.

3 years

How can someone be trashy just because they have a french manicure and pedicure it wont class with anything so to me its better than wearing certain color shirts with a polish that doesnt match.......... Also any place that does a pedicure right does not keep your toenails long they trim them even them and do your french its not like you have monster toenails just because your getting a french manicure.... So I think that they are classy depending upon the GIRL if the girl is classy so is her trend if shes trashy then she would be trashy no matter what polish is on her.................

4 years

I don't find that they look so bad, but i think it depends on how thin or thick the white tip is painted on the edge, as well as the natural shape of one's nails. I think it may suit some nail shapes better than others. If done well, i think it can give a natural and neat appearance to the toes - but in some cases, it's best to apply one color all over. I guess it's all about finding what makes your feet look their best!

4 years

Wow! What's with all the hating on French manicures? It is literally just an exaggerated version of what's already there: the nailbed and white tips that stick out beyond the flesh. The only time I really find them unattractive is if they're on acrylic nails, but I find those to be disgusting anyways. I keep my nails trimmed to the tips of my fingers, use the Sephora French Manicure pen, and then put on a coat of Essie Mademoiselle- perfect!

4 years

Why are people saying you'll never see french pedicures in Europe or "it's not french".... I don't know where you people live but here in Paris french pedicures are "in" and have been for two or three years. I've never seen it done on "long" toenails, only on people that cut square and short. The ladies with the long toe nails wear red, with platform shoes and are over 50 here. In fact it's so "in" that it's now being done with bright colors (neon pink and a slightly lighter shade for the line, or bright orange with a pink tip)... And FYI a "french manicure" was never "french". The REAL french manicure is when the half moons at the BASE of the nail are painted white and the rest of the nail (tip included) is painted a nude shade. Very "in" in the 40's when my now 94 yr old grandmother (who still gets her weekly manicure) was in her late 20s

clew001 4 years

i dont paint my toenails or finger nails, but i'm not understanding why there is a difference between getting a french manicure or pedicure. that just seems stupid that people love it on the nails but not the toenails because of length or whatever. who cares. just as long as neither is crusty looking!

whirlgrrl 4 years

They're cute. Done right. I hate feet and toe nails that look untidy.

Melo D 4 years

bastylefilegirl, thank you! AND, french pedis are done with more than just the beige and white too! Use a cute pink/red/orange/whatever color instead of the white or beige. It's been reinvented for so long. I'm about to get one tomorrow.

Melo D 4 years

I don't understand. It's nail polish. Why is it tacky if it's polished? If it were some design, is that better? It's polish... on a nail. Would you rather see a french pedicure or bare dirty toenails? What does the length of a toenail have to do with anything? It's kept. It's clean. Nothing gross about that. If we're talking length, it's not like they're walking around with toenails so long it curls down. Yeah, I don't know. Regardless, I like it.

penny1614 5 years

Gross. How could it be chic for your toenails to be this long?

lily8206 5 years

tacky

lily8206 5 years

tacky

fauxmccoy 5 years

i would rather watch someone bite their toe nails. full body shiver to frenched toes.

AlliJean 5 years

For years all I had a french manicures - I think they can be very chic and classic looking. I don't think they accentuate long nails though, on hands or feet. I keep my all my nails very short, long nails on toes or hands creep me out!

AKirstin 5 years

People associate it with long toenails because the *whole point* of the white strip is to accentuate the clean, healthy part that extends beyond your nail bed. ANY white makes it look long, even if you cut them way short. So yeah, it looks gross to me.

lexichloe 5 years

I like a french mani, and then a pedi that reflects the season in color. Currently, I have a french mani, and a tropical pink on my toes.

milly76 5 years

oh god, these are SO cheesy and something about them just makes the wearer's toes look obscene!

Dubn8tr 5 years

Whether it's on women with long or short toenails, I think it's tacky. I have a minor phobia of feet, so a french manicure on them is extra gross to me. Making them look like fingers...yuck. I live in the MD/DC area, and I've seen plenty of women who do not clip their toenails short enough and it's obvious thru the polishes and designs. So ugh. Last week, I was on vacation in another state and saw a guy with his toes done in a French pedicure. Skeeved me out even more.

Dubn8tr 5 years

Whether it's on women with long or short toenails, I think it's tacky. I have a minor phobia of feet, so a french manicure on them is extra gross to me. Making them look like fingers...yuck.I live in the MD/DC area, and I've seen plenty of women who do not clip their toenails short enough and it's obvious thru the polishes and designs. So ugh.Last week, I was on vacation in another state and saw a guy with his toes done in a French pedicure. Skeeved me out even more.

allinavhcnerf 5 years

i think toe nails should be kept short and cute.

Martini Rossi 5 years

I like them and I dont think they are associated with long toes nails.

simbaspaws 5 years

On another note. I hate super short toenails, it hurts. That is what is gross to me. It looks like men's feet lol. In no way do I like long, long toenails, but I always panick when they make them too short.

simbaspaws 5 years

I love them. And in no way have I ever heard that it is supposed to make your toenails look longer. It looks clean and neat. Baffled me when I saw all those comments. And I am European and nobody over there will think you are tacky..they wear them too....and I am in no way tacky myself...

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