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Tabi boots: The cult shoe that women should avoid!
Discover Martin Margiela's stylish Tabi boots, their history and current trends for fashion travel in 2025.
Tabi boots: The cult shoe that women should avoid!
An iconic design by Martin Margiela, the 'Tabi' shoe has become a staple in the fashion world since its introduction in 1988. Originally conceived as a couture piece, the Tabi is currently controversial. While the shoe has gained a lot of presence in the mainstream, recommends Capital Ladies to forego the Tabi as it has lost its originality. Men, on the other hand, can wear subtle versions of the tabi as long as they like them.
The Tabi's design is comradely characterized by the split toe shape, which was novel in Western fashion. This inspiration comes from 15th century Japan, where such split socks were considered beneficial for balance. The shoe was initially the privilege of the elite, but later took on new meaning with the emerging cotton routes to China, when it was worn by workers. The original “Tabi” is still available in many versions at Maison Margiela, with prices starting at around 820 euros.
From the avant-garde to the mainstream
Tabi boots have become a fashion phenomenon over the last few decades. Celebrities like Dua Lipa, Zendaya and Cardi B wear them regularly, which further boosts the perception of Tabi boots on social media. They are now less provocative than in their early years, when Margiela even had his models parade down the catwalk in red, which left a lasting impression.
Special characteristics of the Tabi boots are the split toe shape and the craftsmanship, which make the Tabi boots the most important footprint of Margiela's career. Loud Vogue The boots have been recognizable for 25 years and have never been copied in a way that could reach the same following. Other brands, such as Nike and Vetements, have also released their own interpretations of the design, but without the same cultural influence.
In recent years, Margiela has featured the Tabi boots in several collections, representing a return to its origins, while the brand has simultaneously released loafers, cowboy boots and stilettos with a similar design. How Tabi boots will evolve remains to be seen, but social media influences and the ever-increasing demand for unique fashion will undoubtedly play a role.