Steve Madden comes with great tabi dupes
For a pittance
The tabi shoe, originally from Maison Margiela, is one of those trends where I thought a few years ago: this is never going to catch on. I found the split front, to say the least, a bit of an adjustment. But now I see them everywhere and I actually start to like them more and more. And let Steve Madden me just say that it comes at the right time with a more affordable version.
The American shoe brand has several tabi’s in its collection. And especially the ballerinas look suspiciously similar to the iconic (but very expensive) versions from Maison Margiela.
From almost a thousand euros to about 120 dollars
And that’s of course the best part of this shoe. The original Maison Margiela Tabi’s are quite an investment. The Steve Madden version, the Calico, costs around $119.95. That’s quite a difference, converted to about €105.
The shape is immediately recognizable: a flat ballerina, a mini heel, and of course that iconic split between your big toe and the rest of your toes. And I must say: in pictures, I understand the hype.
Originally Japanese
The tabi is inspired by traditional Japanese tabi shoes, where the big toe is separated from the other toes. Recently, the shape has appeared more frequently in street style and on social media.
What was once a fairly niche shoe is now slowly becoming a real fashion girl favorite. You get that somewhat quirky, but therefore interesting shape, without immediately laying down hundreds of euros for the designer version.
The Calico from Steve Madden is also available in different versions, including black and a lighter beige color. The black ones are therefore the perfect option if you want to gradually transition into the tabi world.
Tabi’s are officially here to stay
That Steve Madden is now so prominently jumping on the tabi trend says enough. The brand now has not only ballerinas but also tabi heels, loafers, mules, and boots. Something for every type of tabi lover.
And honestly? I never thought I would say this, but I actually start to really like those ugly shoes. It is definitely the shoe that we are going to see everywhere this fall, probably also more often the cheaper version.
