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The Ultimate Tabi & Split-Toe Shoe Edit: 36 Best Avant-Garde Boots & Flats
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items From the iconic Tabi silhouette to modern split-toe ballet flats, Mary Janes, mules, boots, and sneakers, this is a curated edit of the most interesting Tabi and split-toe shoes I can find. For anyone who likes fashion with a little edge, unusual det...
The shoe that made the split toe famous, with a much easier attitude than the full-on boot. Maison Margiela's Tabi Daily Mule keeps that unmistakable divided toe and sculptural shape, but the open back makes it feel surprisingly effortless. Weird, ic...
Maison Margiela Tabi Daily Mule
The ballet flat got the Margiela treatment, and somehow the result is both delicate and completely strange. The Tabi Ballerina has that signature split toe front and center, with the simple silhouette letting the unusual shape do all the talking. A g...
Maison Margiela Tabi Ballerina
If there’s one shoe that deserves credit for making the split toe a fashion statement, it’s this one. Maison Margiela’s Tabi loafer takes a very traditional loafer shape and completely derails it with that unmistakable divided toe, white stitching at...
Maison Margiela Tabi loafers
Okay, this is a pretty slick way to get into the tabi trend without going full Margiela. The CYRA keeps the unmistakable split-toe shape but puts it on a low 1.25-inch heel, with black leather keeping the whole thing polished and surprisingly easy to...
Steve Madden CYRA BLACK LEATHER
This is probably the easiest Steve Madden tabi to wear. The TINO is a backless black leather mule with that unmistakable split toe, but the low .75-inch heel keeps it feeling more like an everyday shoe than a fashion experiment. Minimal, slightly str...
Steve Madden TINO BLACK LEATHER
Okay, the mesh makes this one considerably more interesting than the usual ballet flat. The CALICO has that unmistakable tabi split toe, but the bone-colored mesh gives it a lighter, almost see-through feel that keeps the weird little toe situation f...
Steve Madden CALICO BONE MESH
Now THIS is a tabi mule with some personality. The Esenes x RPD Garden Mules take the familiar split-toe shape and make it chunky, earthy, and a little outdoorsy, with butterscotch nubuck, darker brown details, and a substantial lugged sole. They loo...
Esenes x RPD Tabi Garden Mules - Buttaz
These are what happens when a tabi mule gets a little more industrial. TOMBOGO's Tabi Swiper Mules combine the split toe with chunky straps, oversized titanium buckles, and a substantial rubber sole, giving the whole thing a futuristic, almost armore...
TABI SWIPER MULES
Okay, the snow camo makes these completely unhinged in the best possible way. The Esenes x RPD Tabi Boots take the split-toe shape and turn it into a chunky hiker boot covered in snow-leopard print leather, finished with a black padded collar and rug...
Esenes x RPD Tabi Boots - Snow Camo
This might be the most elegant way to wear a completely bizarre shoe. Maison Margiela's Tabi Slingback Flat takes that famously divided toe and puts it on a simple, polished slingback silhouette, so from a distance it looks almost like a classic flat...
MAISON MARGIELA | Tabi Slingback Flat
A Mary Jane, a ballet flat, and a tabi all got together and somehow this happened. Jeffrey Campbell's Saturna has that unmistakable split toe, but the wraparound laces give it a much sportier, almost ballet-shoe feel. It's low, close to the foot, and...
JEFFREY CAMPBELL | Saturna Split Toe Mary Jane Flat
This is where the Mary Jane goes full sneaker. Jeffrey Campbell's Thalion has the split toe, but the ultralow layered sole and sporty strap give it a completely different attitude from a traditional tabi flat. It looks a little like a ballet shoe tha...
JEFFREY CAMPBELL | Thalion Mary Jane Sneaker
This is the Tabi for someone who wants a little more art with their weirdness. Maison Margiela takes the famous split-toe shape and gives the leather a hand-painted, lived-in finish, then puts it on a low 35mm heel. It has that wonderfully imperfect ...
MAISON MARGIELA | Tabi 35MM Painted Print Leather Pumps
If you like the tabi shape but want something that feels a little more like an actual shoe, this is a good one. Atorie's lace-up version has a low, streamlined profile with black leather, tonal laces and that unmistakable split toe up front. It's und...
Top-Grain Leather Tabi Lace-Up Flats | Atorie
The tabi gets a softer, prettier treatment here. These suede flats have the split toe, but the low-cut ballet shape and tiny knotted bow make them feel more delicate than the usual chunky tabi styles. And the muted sage green and deep plum are much m...
Suede Tabi Flats | Atorie
Okay, the croc embossing makes these considerably more interesting than a basic loafer. The glossy texture gives the softly squared shape some shine, while the split toe keeps the whole thing unmistakably tabi. And the heel collapses, so you can wear...
Croc-Embossed Tabi Loafers | Atorie
These are not exactly your polite little tabi boots. The hand-burnished leather has a naturally aged, vintage-looking finish, while the chunky lug sole gives them some serious weight and attitude. Add the split toe and a discreet side zip, and you ge...
Distressed Tabi Lug Boots | Atorie
This is the tabi for people who like their weird shoes a little more polished. The low-cut, open-back mule keeps the silhouette sleek, while the rounded almond toe and center seam create that unmistakable split-toe detail. It’s simple enough for ever...
Top Grain Leather Split-Toe Mule | Atorie
Before Tabi sneakers were having their big fashion moment, Nike was already doing this in 1996. The Air Rift has that unmistakable split toe, adjustable straps, a low-to-the-ground sneaker-sandal shape and Nike Air cushioning in the heel. It’s sporty...
Nike Air Rift
Nike took its famously strange split-toe Air Rift and apparently decided it needed flowers. The Florette keeps the low-slung sneaker-sandal shape and adjustable straps, then adds leather flower appliqués and little silver rivets across the upper. It’...
Nike Air Rift Florette
These are a much more polished take on the tabi idea. CHRISTEN keeps the split toe but softens everything around it with an unstructured ballet-flat shape, stretch construction and a little bow at the front. The beige-and-black color combination make...
CHRISTEN | Tabi leather ballet flats
These might be the stealthiest tabis in the whole bunch. From the knee down, they’re an incredibly sleek black leather boot with a slim shaft and subtle tonal stitching — and then you get to the toes. The split-toe shape is the only real disruption, ...
CHRISTEN | Tabi leather knee-high boots
Okay, these are giving traditional schoolgirl shoe with a slightly strange plot twist. The Aether has a softly burnished brown finish, lace-up detailing and a Mary Jane strap across the instep, but then comes that unmistakable split toe. The low 1cm ...
Aether Lace-Up Split-Toe Mary Jane Flats - Brown
A ballet flat with one very deliberate weird little detail. Blank Canvas keeps the shape simple and easy to wear, then splits the toe right down the middle for that unmistakable tabi effect. It’s understated enough for everyday outfits, but definitel...
Split Toe Ballet Flat
Okay, now we're getting into the chunky end of the tabi spectrum. Blank Canvas takes the split-toe shape and puts it on a seriously substantial sole, turning what could be a delicate little oddity into something with actual presence. It's part mule, ...
Split Toe Chunky Mule
This is where the tabi gets a little more grown-up. The classic Chelsea boot shape keeps everything sleek and familiar, while the split toe adds that unmistakably strange little detail. With a short block heel and clean black leather, these could act...
Free People Split-Toe Chelsea Boots
A flip-flop, but make it weird. Jeffrey Campbell takes the most basic summer shoe imaginable and gives it a split toe, then adds those wide, puffy straps for a little extra visual interest. The flat, low-profile shape keeps it easy, while the divided...
JEFFREY CAMPBELL Perfect Stranger Thong Sandals
These are what happens when a slouchy ’70s-inspired boot gets the tabi treatment. Jeffrey Campbell’s Off Script has that relaxed, pull-on shape with a soft, collapsed shaft and low-profile sole, then splits the round toe right down the middle. They’r...
JEFFREY CAMPBELL - Off Script Slouch Boots
This is how you make a tabi feel a little more ladylike. Bibi Lou takes the classic ballet flat, adds a petite 1.25-inch heel, and then splits the toe right down the middle. The result is polished and feminine with one wonderfully unexpected detail —...
Bibi Lou Split Toe Ballet Heels
A sneaker for people who have already decided regular sneakers are a little boring. Jeffrey Campbell’s Planeta keeps the silhouette low and streamlined, then adds a seriously unexpected split toe and Velcro closure. The metallic color options make th...
Jeffrey Campbell Planeta Split Toe Sneakers
If you like the tabi look but aren't interested in suffering for fashion, Maki is worth a look. Cushionaire gives the split-toe ballet flat a cushioned footbed and flexible sole, so the whole thing is much more everyday-friendly than it looks. And wi...
CUSHIONAIRE maki tabi flats
If you want the split-toe look without seeing the same three pairs of shoes everywhere, Etsy is worth a wander. There are handmade styles, vintage finds, minimalist flats, weird little Mary Janes, and plenty of unexpected interpretations of the tabi ...
Tabi Shoes on Etsy
Want to try the tabi thing without committing to a designer-shoe-level experiment? This SHEIN pair keeps it simple: a low ballet-flat shape, Mary Jane strap and that unmistakable split toe. It’s lightweight, comes in everything from black and brown t...
SHEIN Tabi Shoes Women Mary Janes Ballet Flat
The tabi ballet flat gets a little punk makeover here. These SHEIN flats keep the low, rounded ballet shape and split toe, then cover the upper with little metal studs for some much-needed attitude. They're a fun way to try the whole tabi thing if a ...
SHEIN Women Riveted Studded Split Toe Ballet Flats
These are basically a ballet flat that decided it needed a little more personality. The Mnmlis tabi flats have that unmistakable split toe, but the crossed elastic straps give them a more playful, almost Mary Jane-ish look. And the color choices are ...
SHEIN Mnmlis Women's Split Toe Elastic Strap Tabi Ballet Flats
Okay, these are having a little more fun. The CUCCOO DOLLMOD tabi flats combine a black-and-white polka-dot pattern with lace-up details and bows at the sides, then sneak that unmistakable split toe into the mix. They have a sweet, slightly vintage f...
SHEIN CUCCOO DOLLMOD Women's Polka Dot Lace Up Side Bow Tabi Flats
These Tabi lace-up flats put the distinctive split-toe silhouette into a more structured, everyday shoe. The lace-up design gives them a little more presence than a traditional Tabi flat, while the unusual toe shape makes even a simple outfit feel mo...
Tabi Lace-Up Flats | Atorie
These Tabi Mary Jane flats combine the instantly recognizable split-toe shape with the feminine strap detail of a classic Mary Jane. The contrast makes them feel more unusual than a standard ballet flat while keeping the silhouette easy to style. I’d...
Tabi Mary Jane Flats | Atorie
These top-grain leather Tabi loafers combine the distinctive split-toe silhouette with a classic loafer shape and substantial buckle detail. The polished leather keeps them refined, while the unusual Tabi construction gives a traditional menswear-ins...
Top-Grain Leather Tabi Buckle Loafers | Atorie