If the subject in question isn't removing her foot from her shoes in any fashion, then I don't consider it shoeplay. An annoying YT trend that I've noticed since the website's earlier days, is people posting "shoeplay" videos wherein the subject simply wiggles or shakes her foot, or dangles it back and fourth, meanwhile her shoe(s) are completely attached to her feet, the entire time. Next to the crossdressers, these videos are the
worst — they drag on for several minutes, sometimes broken up into two or three parters, and no real "shoeplay" ever happens. That irks me. She has to take her shoe(s) off, even just a little bit, in order for me to consider it shoeplay.
On the subject of Flip-flops, I'm saying this as a man who actually likes
feet (and not just shoeplay): I can't stand them, and I too agree that anything with them, mules or other assorted 'open' shoes ought not be considered shoeplay. I mean technically it
is, but such footwear falls off of the foot easily just by nature of the way they're designed to fit, so shoeplay with such shoes just feels cheap — for lack of a better explanation. They also leave nothing to the imagine, which is a dealbreaker for me when it comes to shoeplay. I prefer shoes that leave something to the imagination, yet not
too much. I find that flats, moccasins, pumps or even loafers are perfect examples.
When I think of shoeplay and what gets
me excited over it, it's the whole "teasing" or "anticipation" aspect. It goes without saying that the subject [usually] has
no intention of teasing
anyone, but because we like the visual, there's an excitement that comes at the anticipation of what you might see next and
how much of it you'll see ("maybe I'll get to see more of her soles" or "I wonder what her toes look like and if they're painted"). In that regard, shoeplay with flip-flops, is like doing a striptease in a thong or otherwise already revealing outfit. Sure it's
sexy —flip-flops not withstanding. I find those to be hideous in general— but there's very little left to the imagination as it is, so the whole teasing aspect of it is sort of diminished.
Toe wiggling/flexing inside shoes (while the woman is wearing them) should Never be considered True shoeplay,IMO.
This.