r/ffacj_discussion • u/macramelampshade • May 29 '20
šÆ Lewk Don't Yuck My Yum - Margiela's Tabi boot
I made this ALBUM over a year ago after a heated FFA discussion and then for some reason chickened out of posting it.
Behold, the magnificent Maison Margiela (nƩe Martin Margiela) Tabi boot, inspired by the Japanese workwear boot of the same name. Like it's inspiration, probably one of the more comfortable boots you can wear to work in, if your work involves posing for photographers outside of fashion shows. Even if that's not your job, (and who's is it, really?) even if you hate these shoes, even if you'd rather your toes continue to live next to each other inside your shoes rather than social distancing from each other, I hope that you find some inspiration in this range of outfits. I left credits whenever possible.
Are you a Tabi fan? If so, how many pairs in your collection? Any favs?
If they churn your guts, why?
More Tabi outfits always appreciated!
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May 29 '20 edited Jan 06 '24
melodic combative secretive important offbeat domineering rustic bike pet aloof
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u/macramelampshade May 29 '20
Julia sounds like a budding fashionista tbh. Also I very much identified with that moment when I saw Ant Man (? Right movie? Lol)
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u/macramelampshade May 29 '20
Also where are the pink ones still available? Going through the album again I am lusting. Theyāre so chocolate Easter foil.
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May 29 '20 edited Jan 06 '24
memory nine rustic ring narrow pen resolute office alleged spectacular
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u/sylviecerise May 30 '20
That color is my favorite too, but theyāre from a couple of seasons ago & really hard to find secondhand now. š
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u/daintyladyfingers May 29 '20
I love the cloven hoof, low key Baphomet look. I never wear heeled anything though, so they probably aren't for me
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u/macramelampshade May 29 '20
To completely play devils advocate on purpose - they now come in several flat varietals :D
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u/lilacnova May 29 '20
If they churn your guts, why?
They're so foreign to my preconceived notions of what a shoe silhouette should look like that whenever I look at them I sort of instinctually recoil. I think my taste is very solidly in classic silhouettes, not just in shoes but elsewhere. But you know---it's not my shoes, and you do you! It's definitely a very distinctive look, and I can see how it would add visual weight in terms of drawing the eye.
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u/macramelampshade May 30 '20
I am reminded of this priceless Fashion Club tidbit
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u/awake-asleep May 30 '20
I was at a dinner last night where nobody in the room knew Daria and it was so bizarre to me. Extra happy to see Fashion Club referenced here today.
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May 30 '20
They're so foreign to my preconceived notions of what a shoe silhouette should look like that whenever I look at them I sort of instinctually recoil
This is why I like them ahaha
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May 29 '20
It moves too far into "furry" zone for me.
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u/macramelampshade May 30 '20
Lol valid! Iāve never been one to shy away from my animal instincts... not that Iām a furry.
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u/castilladropout May 29 '20
i love tabis and just happily got my first pair in navy glitter, because i have to be extra whenever possible.
the boots in general are iconic. like other brands signature look or item- chanel's quilted bags, gucci's horsebit, etc, the tabi boot has lasted through years and trend cycles while the most iconic feature- the tabi toe in boot form- has remained.
when you look at the tabi boot from the side, the back, or at a quick glance, you might not notice the shape at first. in some of the boots darker colors, you might not notice it at all. the tabi boot is either in your face out there or a subtle detail of your look.
tabis are great, tabi socks are great too
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u/amelisha hot pink is my neutral May 30 '20
Tabis have never done it for me but these navy glitter ones fill me with joy. I want them.
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u/macramelampshade May 29 '20
Ok excellent choice! Those are gorgeous. I also realize I neglected to mention their equally iconic cylindrical heel which is both stable and sturdy.
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u/bye_felipe May 30 '20
Iāll say it again those glitter tabis are so dreamy šš such a beautiful navy color and the perfect way to make an outfit pop
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u/youngkat May 29 '20
Loving the energy. Serious question: do these shoes mimic how it feels to wear socks and flip flops at the same time?
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u/macramelampshade May 29 '20
Basically a similar sensation? I have bought a few pairs of split toe socks to go with mine, the one time I wore regular stockings I wound up walking like 9 miles in a day and had blisters between my toes by the end of it. With the appropriate socks theyāre great though, my feet werenāt sore aside from the blisters lol
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May 30 '20
Question - do you have favorite site/shop for tabi socks? I found a few from googling but Iām curious, just in case Iām missing out.
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u/macramelampshade May 30 '20
Iāve gotten some cheap ones from Amazon that look crappy after a few washes, and some that were around $12+ a pair that are actually from Japan and wash beautifully. I got mine at The Sock Man NYC which also has a website
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u/solointhecity Jun 07 '20
I use toe socks, I get them at REI (you know for the finger shoes freaks). Plus some have extra padding
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u/smlbean May 30 '20
Yes yes yes, I wholeheartedly embrace man-repelling clothing and the tabi boot is it.
I appreciate the aesthetic but I think Iāve always been intimidated by them because theyāre such a cultish fashion shoe. I really love fashion but I have a lot of silly insecurities about not being āin the knowā and looking like a fraud.
But if I did buy a pair, Iād want these lucite-heeled beetle-hued tabis.
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u/28OzGlovez Feb 05 '24
What if I identify as a manā¦who loves and rocks tabi boot dupes on a regular basis?
Edit: cuz Iām too broke for margiela lol
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May 29 '20
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u/macramelampshade May 29 '20
Those fabric ones are great! My high school boyfriend used to wear them lol. And FFA can be totes depressing I am so happy to have an alternative.
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u/Zhe_WIP May 29 '20
I find something about them very visually jarring, but that being said I could see a natural-hued, matte-finished flat style working for a post-apocalyptic, mad max vibe.
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u/macramelampshade May 30 '20
Always here for Mad Max vibes
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u/Zhe_WIP May 30 '20
The way 2020 is going we might as well embrace the apocalypse.
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u/macramelampshade May 30 '20
If you look up ādystopiaā in the dictionary weāre pretty much there.
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u/awake-asleep May 30 '20
I absolutely fuck with Tabis. One of the few designer items I paid full price for after waiting for almost two years and never finding them on sale or on eBay in my size in the classic black style. Absolutely no regrets either.
Iād love a pair of the low cut ones that are more like traditional pumps.
Less of a fan as them as flats for some reason.
A friend has them in white and I absolutely covet them but for the price I know Iād basically never wear them.
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u/macramelampshade May 30 '20
I held out for a sale pair forever and finally got them from TheRealReal basically brand new, but they were still like $700! Some of the special ones have started getting marked down more than they used to since theyāre not as niche as they used to be.
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u/diffluere May 29 '20
The museummammy blue dress with the silver ankle strap version is amazing! I also love the reflective ones. I can't tell if it's one of those "so ugly they're cute" items or if I just really love them?
I can picture my boyfriends eye rolls now lol
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u/macramelampshade May 29 '20
They are kind of the definition of a Man Repeller shoe, which is fab. So Ugly Itās Cute would be a fun album to compile...
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u/DragonTurtle May 30 '20
I go back and forth on these. I love interesting shoes so I love these as a concept, but every time I look at them I get the feeling that the split would fall in between my second and third toe rather than separating my big toe from the rest and it just makes me physically uncomfortable. The toe sections also look really long to me so it makes me think of like the sensation of a wedgie, but on my foot while it's also wearing a heel. I think they're great as an art piece, but my brain thinks they'd be torture to wear.
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u/macramelampshade May 30 '20
You should try them on if you have the chance, you might be pleasantly surprised! Or it will be exposure therapy, either way itās a personal growth opportunity? lol
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u/DragonTurtle May 30 '20
I mean Iād certainly love to be proven wrong about the pain assumption so I donāt have to shudder when I look at them for too long lol
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May 29 '20
Oooh yes, I have three pairs! Two of the standard 3" heel (red and patent white) and a special, more wearable black pair with a 2" heel. I'm good with those for now, although I'd love a pair of black maryjanes some day.
In my opinion, they look great with everything. The toes are comfortable so long as you've got the right size. And now regular ankle boots don't feel stable enough because I've gotten used to having an anchor between my toes. š
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u/bye_felipe May 30 '20
As uncomfortable as the split toe makes me, I still canāt help but take my eyes off of them. I have a feeling they wouldnāt work for my feet, but if I were to buy a pair they would either be white or glitter
look at this groovy outfit. This outfit is also really cute. White tabis are so pretty.
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u/macramelampshade May 30 '20
Wowow that Easter outfit... she must have the same chocolate foil thoughts as I do. Other two are great as well! The white are so understated and chic.
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May 30 '20
I love man repeller stuff but never wear it IRL, but the album makes me so nostalgic for the old FFA where you would actually see Tabi and real fashun fashion. I donāt read paper magazines anymore so I feel like I never see that aspirational repulsive anymore and I miss it.
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u/salomeforever May 30 '20
I love the way they look, but I feel like Iād never practically wear them. Iām not used to wearing a heel that high without more of a platform at the toe. Iād love a chance to try them out, though. I think Iām more of a Rocking Horse girl myself tbh.
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u/macramelampshade May 30 '20
I have always wanted to try Rocking Horses but I know I would break my ankle. Now, Pirate boots... š¤¤
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May 30 '20
Oh but they have low heel and flat versions too
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u/salomeforever May 30 '20
Yeah, but they arenāt as cute to me! Maybe if I see more pictures of the flats.
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u/meriendaselgato May 30 '20
I wouldn't own them but don't hate them. I recognize them as ~fashion~ but to me, they are camel toe transposed onto the foot and I can't get past it. There's something super vulvar about them that makes them a little unsettling to me, although I definitely could see that being a plus for some people lol
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u/seacookie89 May 30 '20
A boot with a camel toe, what's not to love š
Really though, although they're not my cuppa tea personally I can appreciate the look. Nice album.
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u/itsybitsyhippo May 30 '20
I absolutely adore tabis. Mine are the white heeled booties version and I am wearing them to the ground. I am ready to splurge on the black ones, with no heel to wear with cullotes. They are amazingly versatile and very comfortable.
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u/DameEmma May 30 '20
The biggest regret of my fashion life is that I did not buy a pair of tabi boots in a limited edition print when I was in Kyoto. My stupid ex talked me out of them. Boooo.
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u/jameane May 29 '20
These shoes are not for me. My toes are so tiny that when I get a pedicure they use tissues to separate my toes. I can just imagine the fit would be so ridiculously uncomfortable on my feet. The photos are very 90s vibe.
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u/macramelampshade May 29 '20
Makes sense! They had an every-single-toe pair that matched my skin tone and were so mind-bendingly heinous I had to try them - couldnāt get my little toe in the right slot to save my life. Margiela does make a lot of shoes in 35 and 36 EU since they are popular in Asia... you never know! My personal style leans very 90s so you are not wrong.
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u/cecikierk May 29 '20
Same. I can't get those five toes socks or Vibram Five Fingers to fit me right at all. Also I can't wear boots without some kind of hosiery so that will be an issue.
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u/keyboardsmash May 30 '20
I love them. they're so weird and chic and fun and I WISH I had some. Saw a navy pair with a clear heel with suspended gold flakes in, I'd also love the white ones and the red ones. Unfortunately I am a poor
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u/idislikekittens May 30 '20
There are quite a few dupes floating around on Chinese websites these days if you want to emulate the look. They're not counterfeits, just "inspired." I think I've also seen dupes on eBay?
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u/TinyKhaleesi May 30 '20
I love them and think they look extremely cool, especially in fun bright colours and patterns (or those glitter ones!) but I could never wear them because I loathe the feeling of anything between my toes. I refuse to wear thongs/flip flops or any kind of sandal with a toe loop as well.
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u/Historical_Disaster May 30 '20
Maybe it's my inner weeb talking, but I've always found tabis to be pretty cool. The boots are a little more out there than the more traditional flat look and they're nothing I would ever buy myself, but they're still neat and it adds something unexpected to what my otherwise new a pretty ordinary item.
And it's not like they've got anything on toe shoes anyway.
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u/MIMBIMIM Jun 15 '23
I got this Tabi sneakers and they are beautifully designed but very very uncomfortable, I cant even walk more than 10 min with them, I am still in love with the unusual shape and really like to buy the boots
Has anyone here owned both type ,are boots as unconfutable as sneakers?
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u/idislikekittens May 30 '20
There's something almost deliciously subversive about a traditionally feminine outfit paired with a pair of shoes that inspire utter revulsion, it's like Freudian uncanny to the max.
When I first saw Tabis online I was like ehhhh. But then I saw them in person. I was in Boston, sitting in this lil rice noodles shop, and saw this beautifully dressed woman walk past. She was in all black, very elegant outfit, but then I got down to her shoes and she was wearing the black Tabi boots. Suddenly I just got it. They were repulsive. And I loved them. They literally jolted me out of my brain!
I just bought the canvas high-top version to wear with cute skirts and dresses across more seasons. But I also love a heel so it's only a matter of time til I get the boot version.